The reigning Entertainer of the Year delivered her first performance as a married woman following her nuptials in Tennessee last weekend

May 17, 2026

Lainey Wilson kicked off the 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards with a stomping performance of her new track, “Can’t Sit Still.”

The reigning Entertainer of the Year delivered the boisterous country-rock number while joined onstage by a troupe of back-up dancers clad in all white outfits with matching cowboy hats. The song’s frenetic pace was complemented by some wild strobe effects, while parts of the performance seemed to evoke the work of one of Wilson’s predecessors (and tonights’s ACM Awards host), Shania Twain. 

This also marked Wilson’s first time performing live as a married woman. The country star wed her longtime partner, former NFL quarterback, Deviln “Duck” Hodges, at a ceremony in Tennessee last Sunday.

Wilson’s Netflix‘s documentary, Lainey Wilson: Keepin’ Country Cool, hit the streamer on April 22. Amy Scott, who directed the films Counting Crows: Have You Seen Me Lately? and Sheryl, directed the picture. The doc chronicles Wilson’s 14-year journey to “overnight” success, providing a rare look at what it took the beloved artist to make it in country music and the family and friends who supported her along the way.

Women dominated this year’s ACM nominations. Megan Moroney landed her first ever nomination for Entertainer of the Year and led all nominees, with nine. Miranda Lambert scored eight nods, while Ella Langley and Wilson each had seven: The closest male nominee was Chris Stapleton, with six.

In April, Wilson headlined Stagecoach on the second night. While it was her first time as headliner, the country star last performed at the festival in 2023. The singer-songwriter has since won Best Country Album at the 66th Grammy Awards for her fourth studio LP, Bell Bottom Country. The album also garnered Album of the Year at the 58th Academy of Country Music Awards and the Album of the Year honor at the 57th Annual Country Music Association Awards.

The ACM Awards took place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Shania Twain served as host and along with Wilson, the night’s performances included Cody Johnson, Riley Green, Kacey Musgraves, Little Big Town, and the Red Clay Strays.

The ACM Awards are produced by Dick Clark Productions, which is owned by Penske Media Corp., the parent company of Rolling Stone.