The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards wrapped up late Sunday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas with an aggressive shift toward new blood and female powerhouses. Shania Twain stepped up to host the ceremony for the first time, using her opening monologue to push the spotlight directly onto the genre’s women. By the time the final envelope was opened, breakout sensation Ella Langley and Texas traditionalist Cody Johnson had completely cleared the board.
Langley turned the ceremony into her personal victory lap. She walked away with seven trophies, dominating the night with wins for Female Artist of the Year and Artist-Songwriter of the Year. Her crossover hit “Choosin’ Texas” secured both Song and Single of the Year. The sheer volume of her wins shut out several established favorites who usually dominate these broadcast slots.
Johnson claimed the night’s most fiercely guarded prize, winning Entertainer of the Year alongside Male Artist of the Year. The voting body also delivered a sharp upset in the Album of the Year category. Parker McCollum took home the trophy for his self-titled release, blocking Morgan Wallen from a win many industry insiders considered a locked guarantee.
The stage design leaned into heavy theatricality. Kacey Musgraves performed “Dry Spell” while utilizing a fully functioning, custom-built washing machine set. Lainey Wilson kicked the broadcast off with a high-energy rendition of her new single “Can’t Sit Still.” On the group front, The Red Clay Strays picked up Group of the Year and country veterans Brooks & Dunn secured Duo of the Year.
Behind the scenes, the voting results established a rare industry record, with Ella Langley sweeping seven categories, Cody Johnson taking top honors, Shania Twain making her hosting debut, and Jessie Jo Dillon winning Songwriter of the Year for the third consecutive time. Twain’s hosting gig itself marked a clear departure for the broadcast, taking the reins from Reba McEntire who previously anchored the show 18 times. The telecast heavily prioritized these historical milestones and new faces over standard legacy acts.