CMA Awards 2025 Hit by ‘Rigged’ Accusations
Viewers are accusing the 2025 CMA Awards of being “rigged” after host Lenny Wilson swept multiple top categories, including Entertainer of the Year.
Online critics are accusing the 2025 Country Music Association Awards of being "rigged" after host Lenny Wilson took home several of the night's top prizes.
Newsweek contacted the Country Music Association and Wilson's representatives via email for comment outside of regular working hours on Thursday.
Why It's Important
The CMA Awards are one of country music's most prestigious honors. Televised live from Nashville, Tennessee, and watched by millions, they celebrate success in the industry. However, claims that the show is "rigged" or influenced by behind-the-scenes manipulations have raised questions about credibility and transparency.
What to Know
Wilson emerged as one of the biggest winners at the 2025 CMA Awards, which took place Wednesday at Bridgestone Arena and broadcast nationally on ABC.
The singer-songwriter not only hosted the ceremony and gave several performances, but also won numerous awards, including the top honor of Entertainer of the Year. She also won the Female Vocalist of the Year award and Album of the Year award for her fourth consecutive year for her fifth studio album, Whirlwind.
Wilson's fellow nominees included Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, and Chris Stapleton.
Following the broadcast, social media was flooded with complaints from viewers who alleged bias in the results, especially given Wilson's multiple wins while hosting the event.
AB_The_Genius wrote: "I love Lenny Wilson, but it was so weird to see him host, perform, and clean up at #cma2025. Major conflict of interest. And the winner is... me again!"
Commenting on the CMA post about Wilson winning Entertainer of the Year, user @SomerHearts10 wrote: "Most rigged awards show ever. #CMAawards."
In her acceptance speech for Entertainer of the Year, Wilson said, "It takes a village." She also addressed critics, saying in her speech for Female Vocalist of the Year: "To those of you sitting at home in your mom's basement—eating your Cheetos, trying to pit women against each other—you all need to do something better." Wilson's dominance was also evident in her performance at the 2023 CMA Awards, where she won five trophies, including Entertainer of the Year.
Other major winners included Ella Langley and Riley Green for their single "You Look Like You Love Me"; Vince Gill for the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award; Brooks & Dunn for Vocal Duo of the Year; and Cody Johnson, who won his first Male Vocalist of the Year award.
According to the Associated Press, the CMA Awards are decided and voted on by members of the Country Music Association, a group comprised of executives, artists, songwriters, and industry professionals.
What People Are Saying
X User @_Liller wrote: "Look, Lenny Wilson is great. But why is she hosting a show she's been nominated for the most and winning everything? This is so rigged #cmaawards."
User @cocohanks wrote: "I don't know how Lenny keeps winning CMAs, I can't name any of his songs... It's so rigged because he's the host. Cody or Luke deserved it more."
User @digger6185 wrote: "Wow, what a rigged CMA awards show they are!!!! LW is a good artist whose new album has some catchy songs, but oh my god, album of the year? 37 songs in a row since 5/16/25 and loved all those hits by @MorganWallen. CMA, get some sense!!!"
User @KayLyne defended Wilson, writing: "Call out the Morgan Wallen bullshitters. The CMA Awards are voted on by CMA members, not by airplay or chart rankings #CMA2025."
User @ChynasRipley wrote: "To everyone upset about Lenny winning 3 awards, I have one thing to say... cry about it."
What's Next?
The 2025 CMA Awards are available to stream on Hulu.
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