Stetsons & Sequins: How the 2025 ACM Awards Redefined Country Music Glamour
In a shimmer of sequins and swagger, country music’s glitterati descended upon the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas last night, transforming the Lone Star State into the epicenter of Nashville chic. The 60th annual Academy of Country Music Awards—hosted by the indomitable Reba McEntire in what can only be described as a masterclass in award show elegance—proved once again why this particular constellation of stars continues to redefine American musical royalty.
The evening commenced with a breathtaking 12-minute retrospective performance featuring industry stalwarts Clint Black, Dan + Shay, Wynonna Judd, LeAnn Rimes, Sugarland, and McEntire herself, traversing six decades of ACM Songs of the Year with the kind of reverence and reinvention that only true artists can deliver. The homage set the tone for a night where heritage and innovation would dance together in perfect harmony.
In the pantheon of country glamour, all eyes were on the evening’s most decorated nominees—Ella Langley, Morgan Wallen, Lainey Wilson, and Cody Johnson—each embodying their unique interpretation of modern country couture. Chris Stapleton, Riley Green, and crossover phenomenon Post Malone rounded out the list of those whose mantels awaited potential adornment.
The performance lineup read like a fantasy playlist curated from country music’s most illustrious corridors. From Brothers Osborne’s rugged sophistication to Kelsea Ballerini’s ethereal presence, each artist brought their signature aesthetic to the stage. Miranda Lambert dazzled with her characteristic blend of fierce femininity and heartland authenticity, while Jelly Roll—caught in a delicious moment of backstage camaraderie smoking a joint with ERNEST—represented country’s evolving relationship with its outlaw sensibilities.
Perhaps the evening’s most inspired fusion came when two distinct musical dynasties collided—Rascal Flatts and Backstreet Boys joined forces in a performance that bridged the gap between late ’90s pop nostalgia and country crossover appeal. The unlikely pairing exemplified the genre’s continued willingness to push boundaries while honoring its roots—a sartorial metaphor reflected in the evolutionary approach to western wear seen throughout the audience.
The evening’s crescendo built toward the announcement of Entertainer of the Year, with nominees Chris Stapleton, Cody Johnson, Jelly Roll, Kelsea Ballerini, Lainey Wilson, Luke Combs, and Morgan Wallen representing the full spectrum of country music’s current renaissance. Each artist brought their distinctive fashion sensibility to this pinnacle moment—from classic western tailoring to more experimental interpretations of Nashville chic.
McEntire, hosting for a record-extending time and herself the recipient of 16 ACM Awards, navigated the evening with her signature blend of Southern charm and showbiz savvy. “I’m thrilled to be coming back to host the 60th ACM Awards,” she had declared prior to the event, and her enthusiasm proved infectious, elevating an already spectacular celebration to something approaching transcendence.
As Texas stars twinkled overhead, matching the rhinestones and metallic embellishments that dominated the evening’s fashion choices, the 2025 ACM Awards reinforced country music’s position as America’s most authentic yet continuously evolving musical tradition—one where heritage and innovation coexist in perfect harmony, much like the classic and contemporary elements that define country fashion’s current golden era.
