Lainey Wilson Divides Fans as CMA Awards Host

Fans who tuned into the 2024 CMA Awards shared their thoughts on the award ceremony’s brand-new host, Lainey Wilson, who joined previous hosts Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning onstage this year. 

The “Heart Like A Truck” star hosted the show on Nov. 20 with energy and charm, but not everyone was a fan of the trio.

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First and foremost, plenty of viewers felt like Wilson was a great addition to the CMA Awards, with one X (formerly Twitter) user dubbing her “Our favorite @CountryMusic Awards host, performer, and nominee.”

“@laineywilson you guys are doing a great job,” a second gushed. 

“So, for me, @laineywilson is one of the best things to happen to country music in a very long time,” another praised. “I’m obsessed with her voice, her music, and her fun sense of humor. #CMAawards.”

“I love you guys and #LaineyWilson,” one more declared.

Others, however, weren’t afraid to hold back when critiquing the show and its new host, with one boldly suggesting, “Could have hosted without Lainey Wilson.”

“Lainey Wilson so bad,” another complained.

Someone else expressed upset by the way she transitioned from the Toby Keith tribute and straight back into the awards show, saying the late musician “deserved better.”

It wasn’t just the “Country’s Cool Again” songstress that left viewers wishing the show had a different host, “Why do we have to listen to Manning,” one wrote. “What a joke.”

“They are bombing,” a different critic shared.

Someone else wanted all three to be replaced with different talent, writing, “These 3 can sit down somewhere,” they lamented, “please.”

Wilson’s position as host of the 2024 CMA Awards was first announced at the end of September with a cheeky video also featuring Bryan and Manning. At the time, most people were excited to see Wilson join the previous hosts for the event. 

Along with her hosting duties, the 32-year-old was also nominated for four awards at the show–including Single of the Year for “Watermelon Moonshine,” Female Vocalist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year. At the time of writing, she had won the award for Music Video of the Year for “Wildflowers and Wild Horses.” She is also set to take the stage to perform at some point during the night.

Next: See the Spectacular Red Carpet Fashions from the 2024 CMA Awards Red Carpet