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The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Day: November 21, 2025
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The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
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The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
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The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
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The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
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The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
The 59th Annual CMA Awards delivered a show packed with unforgettable moments, from show-stopping performances and standout collaborations to emotional wins and dazzling red carpet appearances. Viewers at home saw Lainey Wilson make history as she claimed Entertainer of the Year, Zach Top earn his first CMA Award for New Artist of the Year, and Riley Green, Ella Langley, and Lainey Wilson rise as the evening’s big winners with three trophies each. Brooks & Dunn also cemented their legacy, becoming the most-awarded CMA act in history with a record 20 wins. Plus, Cody Johnson took home his first CMA Male Vocalist of the Year trophy.
But what fans didn’t see were the candid happenings behind the scenes, the backstage celebrations, unexpected reunions, mid-show interactions, and fly-on-the-wall moments that only those inside the Bridgestone Arena experienced.
This gallery offers a look at everything the broadcast didn’t show, capturing the backstage energy and excitement that made this year’s CMA Awards one to remember!
Riley Green and Shaboozey
Riley Green and Shaboozey found a moment to pose for a photo in the middle of the backstage hustle at Bridgestone Arena.
Miranda Lambert and Brendan McLoughlin
Miranda Lambert and her husband Brendan McLoughlin enjoyed a CMA date night, skipping the red carpet but posing together once inside the show.
Megan Moroney
One of the night’s top nominees, Megan Moroney turned heads backstage in her brightly colored performance look.
Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard
Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard shared a CMA Awards moment years after their Florida Georgia Line run, where they dominated Vocal Duo of the Year from 2013 to 2015.
Leanne Morgan and Bert Kreischer
Comedians Leanne Morgan and Bert Kreischer brought the laughs to the CMA Awards stage and posed together backstage for a fun moment.
Tucker Wetmore
CMA New Artist of the Year nominee Tucker Wetmore squeezed in an impromptu backstage photoshoot. During the show, he took the stage to perform his chart-topping hit, “Wind Up Missin’ You.”
Lainey Wilson
After pulling off her first CMA Awards solo hosting gig, Lainey Wilson celebrated her three big wins backstage, including Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, and Album of the Year for Whirlwind.
Bailey Zimmerman and BigXthaPlug
The duo behind “All the Way,” Bailey Zimmerman and BigXthaPlug, were all smiles as they posed together in the audience at the CMA Awards.
Kenny Chesney and Kelsea Ballerini
Longtime friends and former tourmates Kenny Chesney and Kelsea Ballerini shared a backstage moment together before her performance of “I Sit in Parks” at the CMA Awards.
Zach Top and Devlin “Duck” Hodges
Zach Top kept Devlin “Duck” Hodges company while his fiancée, Lainey Wilson, took the stage as host.
Kelsea Ballerini
Kelsea Ballerini quickly changed outfits backstage after being rained on during her “I Sit In Parks” performance.
Cody Johnson and Vince Gill
Cody Johnson and Vince Gill shared a laugh together in the crowd.
Hosted by Lainey Wilson, the 59th Annual CMA Awards aired live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 19 (8:00–11:00 PM ET) on ABC.The show will be available for next-day streaming on Hulu.
The post Inside the CMA Awards: Candid Moments You Didn’t See on TV appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
The 59th Annual CMA Awards delivered a night full of unforgettable performances, historic wins, and show-stopping surprises. Hosted by Lainey Wilson, the star-studded evening featured incredible performances from Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Luke Combs, Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, Zach Top, and many more, including exciting collaborations with Luke Combs & BigXthaPlug, Shaboozey & Stephen Wilson Jr., and Chris Stapleton & Miranda Lambert.
Fans at home witnessed history in the making as Lainey Wilson claimed Entertainer of the Year, Zach Top earned his first CMA Award for New Artist of the Year, and Riley Green, Ella Langley, and Lainey Wilson emerged as the night’s top winners with three trophies each. Brooks & Dunn set a new record with 20 total CMA wins, and Cody Johnson took home his first Male Vocalist of the Year trophy.
But the magic of the night wasn’t just in the awards, it was in the unforgettable moments that had the crowd buzzing. From surprise appearances to intimate performances, here are the best moments from the 59th Annual CMA Awards:
Lainey Wilson’s Solo Hosting Debut
Wilson absolutely crushed her CMA Awards solo hosting debut. She’s a natural on screen, commanding viewers’ attention while effortlessly bringing the laughs. Wilson also made history as only the third woman ever to host the CMA Awards solo, following country icons Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire. It’s safe to say she’s well on her way to joining the ranks of her heroes as a country icon.
George Strait’s Surprise Appearance
Fans were thrilled to see George Strait make a surprise appearance on stage to present Vince Gill with the 2025 CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. In a way, Strait was passing the torch, having received the same honor in 2024.
Chris Stapleton and Miranda Lambert’s Collaborative Performance
Country superstars Chris Stapleton and Miranda Lambert brought throwback vibes from their “A Song To Sing” music video, delivering a standout performance of the chart-climbing hit. When these two powerhouse voices come together, magic happens.
Kenny Chesney’s Two-Song Celebration
Kenny Chesney celebrated his Country Music Hall of Fame induction with a two-song performance honoring his legacy. He brought energy to the stage and had fans singing along throughout.
Lainey Wilson’s Cowgirl of the Night
One of the cutest moments of the night: Lainey Wilson continued her tradition of naming a little girl in the audience the “Cowgirl of the Night.” CMA viewers got to witness this heartwarming moment firsthand.
Kelsea Ballerini’s Dramatic “I Sit In Parks”
The debut performance of Kelsea Ballerini’s “I Sit In Parks” did not disappoint. Her vocals were flawless, and the stage imagery brought the music video to life. At the end of the performance, a sudden rain added a dramatic touch to the moment.
Ella Langley and Riley Green’s Awards Wins
Ella Langley and Riley Green were two of the night’s biggest winners, each taking home three trophies for their fan-favorite collaboration, “You Look Like You Love Me.”
Cody Johnson’s First CMA Male Vocalist of the Year Win
Cody Johnson earned his first CMA Male Vocalist of the Year trophy, giving a heartfelt nod to
Chris Stapleton in his acceptance speech.
“When I was a little kid, I taped a microphone on the side of my bunk bed. I would sing everything from Boys II Men to Merle Haggard and I’d try to imitate everybody in between. To get this award and be in a vocalist category with Chris Stapleton, who is one of the greatest vocalists of all time in any genre, thank you Chris for paving the way,” he shared.
Stephen Wilson Jr.’s CMA Awards Performance Debut
Stephen Wilson Jr. captivated the audience with his performance of “Stand By Me.” With just a guitar in hand, he delivered a mesmerizing performance that stood out as one of the night’s best.
Vince Gill’s Acceptance Speech
Vince Gill brought his signature charm while accepting the 2025 CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.
“This is amazing… And I’m pretty confident I’m the only one that’s ever won this award that’s never smoked any weed,” Gill joked.
He later thanked his “CMA family” for trusting him to host the show 12 times:
“It might’ve been the dumbest thing they ever did, trusting my ass with their show… And every year, all I tried to do was make us all look good.”
Luke Combs’ Show Open and Show Close
Luke Combs brought the fire to the CMA Awards stage, opening the night with a powerhouse performance of “Back in the Saddle” and closing it alongside BigXthaPlug on “Pray Hard.” A perfect way to both kick off and wrap up the show.
Tucker Wetmore Makes a Big Impression at the CMA Awards
Making his CMA Awards performance debut, Tucker Wetmore took the stage with his first No. 1 hit, “Wind Up Missin’ You.” The performance was a perfect showcase of his talent and highlighted his newfound confidence.
Hosted by Lainey Wilson, the 59th Annual CMA Awards aired live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 19 (8:00–11:00 PM ET) on ABC. The show will be available for next-day streaming on Hulu.
The post 12 Unforgettable Moments from the 59th Annual CMA Awards appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Sara Rivers is on the verge of losing her appeal against Diddy after failing to submit a required court document, putting her $60 million lawsuit in serious jeopardy.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit issued a warning on October 3 advising Rivers that her appeal would be dismissed if she didn’t file Form C by October 17.
That form, which lays out the parties involved and helps set the appeal’s record, is a basic but essential step in the process. As of now, court records show she missed the deadline, and her case has defaulted under federal appellate rules.
Rivers filed the appeal on September 15 after a federal judge threw out nearly all of her claims against Diddy and his affiliated companies.
Initially filed in February 2025, her lawsuit accused Diddy of sexual assault, harassment, and racketeering tied to her time on the reality show Making the Band 2.
She sought around $60 million in damages.
In her complaint, Rivers alleged that Diddy “backed her into a corner” and ran his hand across her chest. She also claimed she was forced to live in “inhumane” conditions during the show’s production, including being housed with four men despite being married.
She further accused Diddy and his companies, including Bad Boy Entertainment, MTV Productions and Viacom, of conspiring to exploit her labor and sabotage her music career.
The only surviving count, which falls under the New York Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act (GMVPA), was put on hold while a higher court determines whether that law can revive older claims.
That pause left Rivers with one legal option: appeal. But now, that effort is unraveling due to a missed filing.
The Second Circuit’s October 3 order clearly stated that the appeal “be dismissed” if Form C wasn’t filed on time. The docket now shows the case is in default, and unless Rivers takes immediate action, her appeal could be tossed before any arguments are heard.
If the court formally dismisses the appeal, Rivers would lose her last remaining opportunity to challenge the dismissal of her case.
That outcome would leave Diddy with a legal victory in this federal lawsuit, even as he continues to face other legal challenges elsewhere.
Diddy is currently locked up at FCI Fort Dix, where he is serving a four-year sentence after being convicted of two counts of transportation for prostitution.
AllHipHop
Megan Thee Stallion rejected a high-profile Call of Duty endorsement after learning the video game would turn her into a shootable character, a decision rooted in trauma from her 2020 shooting, according to testimony in a federal courtroom in Miami.
During testimony on Wednesday (November 19) in the defamation trial against blogger Milagro Gramz, Roc Nation executive Daniel Kinney revealed that the Houston rapper immediately withdrew from the deal once she understood the nature of the proposed character.
“That triggered her and she full stop said ‘I’m not doing this,’” Kinney testified.
The lucrative opportunity ultimately went to Nicki Minaj, but Kinney said the emotional fallout from the 2020 shooting and the online harassment that followed cost Megan millions in endorsements.
The defamation suit, filed in October 2024 in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, accuses Gramz of working in tandem with Tory Lanez, the man convicted of shooting Megan, to carry out a targeted online smear campaign.
Kinney’s testimony was part of a broader picture painted in court this week, which included disturbing claims about a deepfake pornographic video allegedly promoted by Milagro Gramz.
Megan’s former manager, Travis Farris—known in the industry as T-Farris—testified that the video caused “extreme distress” and led to months of therapy.
The therapy bills alone totaled $240,000, according to court records.
Psychologist Dr. Lenore Walker, who previously diagnosed Megan with PTSD tied to the shooting and the deaths of her mother and grandmother, also testified.
The lawsuit alleges Milagro Gramz acted as a “paid surrogate” and “longtime mouthpiece” for Lanez, whose real name is Daystar Peterson.
Tory Lanez is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence without parole for the July 2020 shooting in the Hollywood Hills. A federal appeals court in Los Angeles upheld his conviction on November 12.
Earlier this week, the case took another turn when Tory Lanez and his attorney were held in contempt of court for dodging deposition questions. A magistrate judge fined Lanez $20,000, citing “deliberate evasion during three attempted depositions.”
Milagro Gramz has denied any wrongdoing. Her legal team argues that her statements were either “substantially true,” protected opinion or “rhetorical hyperbole.”
Still, she has faced multiple sanctions during the proceedings for allegedly deleting evidence and failing to comply with court-ordered discovery.
Megan is seeking compensatory, punitive and statutory damages, along with attorney’s fees and a declaratory judgment. The trial continues this week in Miami federal court.
AllHipHop