Online critics are accusing the 2025 Country Music Association Awards of being "rigged" after host Lainey Wilson took home many of the night's top prizes.

Newsweek contacted the Country Music Association and Wilson's representative via email for comment on Thursday outside regular working hours.

Why It Matters

The CMA Awards is one of country music's most prominent honors. Televised live from Nashville, Tennessee, and watched by millions, it celebrates achievement in the industry. However, claims that the show is "rigged" or swayed by behind-the-scenes factors has raised questions about credibility and transparency.

What To Know

Wilson emerged as one of the biggest winners at the 2025 CMA Awards, which was held at the Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday and broadcast nationally on ABC.

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