Kelsea Ballerini is taking part in the a part of good sport after seemingly calling out her 2025 Academy of Nation Music Awards losses, which included two trophies misplaced to Lainey Wilson.
“Simply stopping in to say I respect the hell out of @laineywilson. As an artist, entertainer, and pal,” Ballerini wrote in her Instagram Tales on Saturday, Could 10. “A deserving queen.”
Kelsea Ballerini/Instagram
On the ACM Awards ceremony on Thursday, Could 8, Ballerini was up for Entertainer of the 12 months, Feminine Artist of the 12 months, and Music Occasion of the 12 months, sharing that third nomination with Noah Kahan. She misplaced the primary two to Wilson and the third to Ella Langley and Riley Inexperienced.
Following these defeats, Ballerini shared photographs of Imply Women’ “And none for Gretchen Weiners” scene on Instagram. And Chase Stokes, her boyfriend, up to date Instagram to declare Ballerini “Entertainer of the 12 months.”
One X person criticized Ballerini and Stokes’ social media reactions as unprofessional. “I perceive being upset, however logging on to tear into somebody is infantile,” that person wrote.
Different customers, nonetheless, rose to Ballerini’s protection. “Kelsea Ballerini is probably the most EOTY [Entertainer of the Year] of all EOTY nominated,” one mentioned. “It’s loopy how she retains getting robbed.”
One other particular person wrote, “Without end ready for Kelsea Ballerini to get the popularity that she so clearly deserves at these award exhibits.”
For nation music followers, Ballerini’s response may need been a flashback to the 2024 Grammy Awards, when she misplaced to Wilson within the Finest Nation Album class. On the time, viewers identified Ballerini wanting upset about her loss.
“You will be bummed in your loss and completely happy for anyone else’s win on the identical time,” the Voice coach mentioned on the time. “Two issues will be true and each maintain legitimate and helpful area. The face studying and response evaluation is pointless and hurtful to everybody. A lady’s win is a crew win.”
Ballerini has cause to really feel snubbed by the Academy of Nation Music. After successful New Feminine Vocalist of the 12 months on the ACM Awards in 2015 and the Gene Weed Milestone Award on the present the next yr, the “Cowboys Cry Too” singer has earned a dozen extra nominations however zero wins.
In the meantime, Ballerini has solely gained twice on the Nation Music Affiliation Awards, regardless of 14 nominations, and she or he has but to win on the Grammy Awards, regardless of 5 nominations.