Kelsea Ballerini addressed her lack of wins at the 2025 Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards on May 10, 2025, via Instagram Stories, dispelling speculation of discontent after Lainey Wilson swept major categories.
Nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, and Music Event of the Year, Ballerini went home empty-handed but expressed admiration for Wilson, highlighting sportsmanship in a competitive industry.
Ballerini’s Response to ACM Results
Following the May 8 ACM Awards, Ballerini posted, “Just stopping in to say I respect the hell out of laineywilson. As an artist, entertainer, and friend. A deserving queen.” Her statement countered rumours sparked by a playful Instagram post referencing Mean Girls’ “And none for Gretchen Wieners” scene, which social media users deemed unprofessional. Others, including boyfriend Chase Stokes, who called her his “Entertainer of the Year,” defended her talent and resilience amid multiple award snubs.
The post comes days after Kelsea Ballerini seemingly called out the ACM Awards for snubbing her yet again.https://t.co/ml4oiaevrh
— TV Insider (@TVInsider) May 11, 2025Ballerini’s nominations marked her latest bid for ACM recognition, having earned over a dozen since 2015 but no wins since her early career. Wilson won two of Ballerini’s categories, echoing a similar outcome at the 2024 Grammys for Best Country Album.
The ACM losses prompted mixed online reactions, with fans praising Ballerini’s grace while others criticised her humorous post as sour grapes. This highlights the polarised nature of awards discourse.
Ballerini’s response reflects her philosophy that acknowledging disappointment and celebrating peers can coexist, as she previously noted, “Two things can be true.” Her consistent nominations underscore her industry standing, yet the lack of recent wins fuels discussions about award criteria and recognition.
The public support from Stokes and fans reinforces her influence, with her Instagram post emphasising unity over rivalry in country music.
