Lainey Wilson opened the 61st [1] Academy of Country Music Awards with a performance of her new single, "Can't Sit Still".
The appearance marks Wilson's first major public show as a newly married woman. By debuting the track at the awards show, the artist used the high-profile platform to launch a new project while celebrating a personal milestone.
The ceremony took place on Sunday, May 17 [1], in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event was streamed live on Prime Video [2]. While some reports cited the year as 2025 [3], other sources confirmed the event occurred in 2026 [4].
Wilson's high-energy delivery of the song served as the world premiere for the track. The performance was designed to showcase the song's momentum, though the fast-paced nature of the set drew mixed reactions from the audience. Some viewers described the experience as "dizzy" [5].
Beyond the music, Wilson spoke about her recent wedding. In a discussion regarding the star-studded event, Wilson said that the ceremony had a surprising lack of speeches. "We were waiting," Wilson said [6] when discussing the fact that no one had taken the microphone.
Wilson's presence at the 61st [1] ACM Awards highlights her current standing as a central figure in the country music genre. The combination of a new marriage and a new single provides a dual narrative of professional and personal growth that the artist leveraged during the Las Vegas broadcast.
“"We were waiting"”
By debuting a new single during the opening of a major awards show, Wilson is utilizing a 'tentpole' event to maximize visibility for her latest release. The intersection of her personal life—specifically her recent marriage—and her professional output creates a narrative of stability and success that can help sustain her momentum within the competitive country music market.
