The 2025 CMA Awards delivered a night of heartwarming triumphs, cringe-worthy flubs, and head-scratching surprises. From viral performances to awkward feuds (and an uninvited goat), here are the 10 most talked-about moments from country music’s biggest night.
The Best Moments
1. Lainey Wilson’s Pyrotechnic Opener (and a Horse)
Lainey Wilson set the bar sky-high with a medley of her hits, complete with fireworks—and a live horse trotting onstage. The crowd (and Twitter) crowned the equine interloper the night’s MVP.
2. Jelly Roll’s Tearful Entertainer of the Year Win
The reformed outlaw broke down accepting country music’s top honor, thanking fans for believing in his redemption arc. Cue the collective sob fest.
3. Kacey Musgraves & Zach Bryan’s Whiskey-Soaked Duet
The genre-bending pair stunned with a raw performance of their unreleased ballad, “Whiskey and Rain.” Proof that less production = more magic.
4. Post Malone’s Controversial Country Debut
Posty’s twangy “Boots and Bonfires” divided fans: brilliant crossover or pandering? Either way, it broke the internet.
5. Toby Keith Tribute Brings the House Down
Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, and more honored the late legend with a rafter-shaking singalong of Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue. Chills.
The Worst Moments
6. Morgan Wallen’s Mic Fail & Muted Crowd
His comeback performance flopped when technical glitches left him singing to silence. The tepid applause? Even worse.
7. The AI Presenter Nightmare
A glitchy, uncanny-valley hologram announced awards—because nothing says “country” like dystopian tech fails.
8. That Cringe-Worthy Onstage Proposal
A no-name singer popped the question mid-show. Her agonizing pause before saying “yes” was peak awkwardness.
The Most WTF Moments
9. Maren Morris vs. Jason Aldean: Side-Eye Edition
Feud alert! Cameras caught Morris throwing shade after Aldean’s win. Cue the meme army.
10. Old Dominion’s Goat Gate
A random goat invaded their performance, refused to exit, and became the night’s weirdest mystery. Symbolism or sabotage? You decide.
Final Thoughts
From goat hijinks to genre-bending shocks, the 2025 CMAs proved country music is never boring. Which moment had you screaming at your screen?
— NextMinuteNews Team
