Ella Langley Shines at ACM Awards While Cody Johnson Takes Top Honors

The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards delivered an unforgettable night of accolades and performances at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Cody Johnson emerged with the top honor, winning Entertainer of the Year, but the evening belonged to Ella Langley from the outset.

Ella Langley’s Triumphant Night

Langley captivated the audience by clinching the Song of the Year award for her hit “Choosin’ Texas.” Her surprise and gratitude were apparent as she addressed the fans, appreciating their support for the song. The momentum continued when she won Single of the Year for the same track.

Her successful streak extended with a win in the Music Event of the Year category, thanks to her duet “Don’t Mind if I Do” with Riley Green. Langley rounded off her remarkable night by taking home the Female Artist of the Year award. During her speech, she acknowledged the encouragement from her female peers.

Cody Johnson’s Major Wins

Cody Johnson earned the Entertainer of the Year title following his earlier recognition as Male Artist of the Year. In his acceptance, he expressed how music allows him to communicate emotion and dedicated his top prize to fellow artist Luke Combs.

Performances and Highlights

The awards show kicked off energetically with Lainey Wilson performing her latest single, “Can’t Sit Still.” The evening was filled with diverse performances including Miranda Lambert’s rendition of “Crisco” and a collaboration of Thomas Rhett and Jordan Davis on “Ain’t A Bad Life.”

Avery Anna delivered a reimagined version of “Bang Bang,” while other artists like Zach Top and Little Big Town energized the audience with their hits. The Red Clay Strays and Kacey Musgraves added their distinct flair to the event.

Hosting duties were commanded by Shania Twain, marking a significant moment as she took over from long-time host Reba McEntire. Twain’s opening featured her iconic track “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!”

Notable Awards and Pre-Show Honors

The Red Clay Strays and Brooks & Dunn were honored with Group and Duo of the Year awards, respectively. Ahead of the main event, Ella Langley secured the Artist-Songwriter of the Year award, and Jessie Jo Dillon was named Songwriter of the Year for the third consecutive time.

Stephen Wilson Jr. received the Visual Media of the Year award for “Cuckoo,” while Anna and Tucker Wetmore were recognized as New Female and New Male Artist of the Year, respectively.

Album of the Year and Closing Performances

Parker McCollum claimed Album of the Year for his self-titled release, beating tough competition from Morgan Wallen, Zach Top, Riley Green, and newcomer Carter Faith. The night concluded with memorable performances from Dan + Shay and Blake Shelton, the latter paying tribute to the late Don Schlitz with “The Gambler.”

The 2026 ACM Awards were available for streaming on Prime Video and other Amazon platforms, offering fans a night celebrating the best in country music.