Country music’s biggest stars came out for the genre’s “party of the year” — aka, the Academy of Country Music Awards — on Thursday, May 16. The annual event, which was held at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, featured not only big wins, but emotional ones, as well as star-studded performances that also included collabs both previously announced and surprise duets.
One of the biggest moments of the night came when Chris Stapleton took the stage to perform his Higher track “Think I’m in Love With You,” when none other than Dua Lipa joined him for a duet. (Sources tell Billboard that their collaboration is set to drop Friday, May 17.) The other pairings — which had been expected — included husband-and-wife duo Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani, Avril Lavigne with Nate Smith, and Kelsea Ballerini alongside Noah Kahan.
Speaking of performances, Post Malone, who is about to embark on his own country journey, debuted a new, unreleased song presumably from his upcoming country album. He finished his set with his new song “I Had Some Help,” which features Morgan Wallen, though the “Last Night” singer did not join in for the performance.
There were some emotional moments as well, including when Lainey Wilson, one of the night’s big winners, accepted the trophy for female artist of the year. During her speech, she shouted out not only her fellow nominees in the category, but also the women in country who helped her get to where she is now, as well as Wynonna Judd for “[giving] me devotionals every week.”
First-time nominee Jelly Roll was victorious alongside Wilson in the music event of the year category, winning for their collab “Save Me.” “This song saved me,” he told the crowd as he teared up. “I was in a dark place. I thought I would die and go to jail, and I’m standing here today an ACM Awards winner.”
The show was hosted by Reba McEntire and produced by Dick Clark Productions. (DCP is owned by Penske Media Eldridge, a Penske Media Corporation subsidiary and joint venture between PMC and Eldridge. PMC is the parent company of Billboard.
From performances to acceptance speeches to candid moments in the crowd, keep scrolling for some of the best photos from the show.
