Country music star Kelsea Ballerini is feeling emotional after receiving her very first Entertainer of the Year nomination at the upcoming 2025 ACM Awards. For the singer, who has spent over a decade building her career, this is a dream finally coming true.
She shared her heartfelt reaction with fans on Instagram Stories, where she admitted she was “absolutely speechless” and couldn’t stop crying happy tears.
“One of My Biggest Dreams,” Says Kelsea Ballerini
In her social media post, Kelsea wrote:
“Being nominated for ENTERTAINER OF THE FREAKING YEAR has been one of my biggest dreams and goals from the very start of this journey.”
She went on to say how grateful she feels and how much it means to be recognized by the country music community she loves so much.
“This continues to feel like my ten year town year and I can’t stop crying happy tears. Wow wow wow,” she added.
Her phrase “ten year town” is a common saying in Nashville. It means that for many artists, it takes ten years of hard work before they get their big break. While some rise quickly, others like Kelsea work for years before receiving such major recognition.
Who Else Is Nominated for Entertainer of the Year?
The Entertainer of the Year category is one of the biggest awards at the Academy of Country Music Awards, and the competition in 2025 is strong. Along with Kelsea Ballerini, the other nominees are:
- Luke Combs
- Cody Johnson
- Jelly Roll
- Chris Stapleton
- Morgan Wallen
- Lainey Wilson (2024’s reigning winner)
This is a powerful group of performers, and Ballerini’s name being among them shows just how much she has grown in her music journey.
What Did Kelsea Ballerini Do in 2024?
The 2025 ACM Awards nominations are based on artists’ achievements in 2024, and Kelsea Ballerini had a busy and successful year.
She started off 2024 with a collaboration with Noah Kahan on a song called “Cowboys Cry Too.” The track was emotional and well-received by fans. It was also part of her fifth studio album, Patterns, which released on October 25, 2024.
Ballerini also surprised fans by trying something new—acting! She made her debut on the ABC drama series Doctor Odyssey, appearing in an episode titled “I Always Cry at Weddings” as a character named Lisa Parsons.
When and Where Are the ACM Awards Happening?
The 60th Annual ACM Awards will be held on May 8, 2025, and will be streamed live on Amazon Prime Video. The event will take place at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. Country legend Reba McEntire will return as the host for this big night in country music.
Fans across the world are already excited to see who will take home the top honors.
