d+ “THE TV CAMERAS HID THE REAL MELTDOWN — LAINEY WILSON COLLAPSES BACKSTAGE IN A STORM OF TEARS AFTER ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR WIN AS COUNTRY STARS RACE TO CATCH HER… AND WHISPER WORDS SO HEARTBREAKING, SO BEAUTIFUL, THEY’LL MAKE YOU CRY JUST HEARING ABOUT THEM — BUT NO ONE WILL REPEAT THEM.”!
Some of the most incredible moments of the CMA Awards don’t happen on camera.
The 59th Annual CMA Awards brought together some of country music’s finest for a three-hour celebration. The event, held at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena and hosted by Lainey Wilson, recognized singers, songwriters, musicians, and other industry professionals who saw great success in the past year.
In addition to being an awards show, the event is also a reunion. The CMA Awards are one of the most anticipated nights of the year for artists because it allows them to connect with their friends in the industry with whom they rarely cross paths.
RELATED: SEE THE CUTEST COUPLES AT THE 2025 CMA AWARDS
Those moments make for some special photo opportunities, as do artist reactions to wins and performances.
We’ve rounded up some of our favorite CMA Awards behind-the-scenes moments that you didn’t see on television.
Check them out below.
1. Lainey Wilson shares an emotional moment after winning the Entertainer of the Year trophy.
2. Chris and Morgane Stapleton catch up with Keith Urban backstage.
3. Zach Top smiles for a photo with Lainey Wilson’s fiance, Devlin “Duck” Hodges.
4. Kelsea Ballerini shares a sweet moment with Amy Grant.
5. Riley Green poses for a backstage photo with Shaboozey.
6. Kelsea Ballerini and Miranda Lambert share an off-camera moment with Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild.
7. Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard reunite three years after the group disbanded.
8. Amy Grant supports her husband, Vince Gill, as he receives the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.
9. Cody Johnson shares a laugh with Vince Gill.
RELATED: CODY JOHNSON SHARES HEALTH UPDATE AFTER EAR INJURY
10. Lauren Alaina fangirls over Megan Moroney’s CMA outfit.
11. LeAnn Rimes meets Leann Morgan.
