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See Lainey Wilson's journey from small town girl to global star

Portrait of Alexa Juliana Ard Alexa Juliana Ard
Updated March 2, 2026, 1:07 p.m. ET
Lainey Wilson is a singer, songwriter, and actress, and one of USA TODAY’s 2026 Women of the Year. Wilson skyrocketed to fame in 2022, winning the Country Music Association's New Artist of the Year award that year. See her journey from Baskin, Louisiana, population 170, to the global stage, starting with a portrait from before her concert in Brisbane, Australia, in February 2026.
Lainey Wilson is a singer, songwriter, and actress, and one of USA TODAY’s 2026 Women of the Year. Wilson skyrocketed to fame in 2022, winning the Country Music Association's New Artist of the Year award that year. See her journey from Baskin, Louisiana, population 170, to the global stage, starting with a portrait from before her concert in Brisbane, Australia, in February 2026.
Erick Frost
Lainey Wilson and her dad, Brian Wilson, playing the piano.
Lainey Wilson and her dad, Brian Wilson, playing the piano.
Photo Courtesy Of Lainey Wilson
Lainey Wilson at her first performance.
Lainey Wilson at her first performance.
Photo Courtesy Of Lainey Wilson
Lainey Wilson sings on stage during a recital as a child.
Lainey Wilson sings on stage during a recital as a child.
Photo Courtesy Of Lainey Wilson
Lainey Wilson (right) with her older sister and "best friend" Janna. "She is kind. She is genuine. She is goofy. She is respected by many. She is unstoppable," Lainey wrote on Instagram.
Lainey Wilson (right) with her older sister and "best friend" Janna. "She is kind. She is genuine. She is goofy. She is respected by many. She is unstoppable," Lainey wrote on Instagram.
Photo Courtesy Of Lainey Wilson
Wilson brought her father, Brian, to the 56th Annual CMA Awards in 2022. "I am who I am because of the people who raised me,” she has said.
Wilson brought her father, Brian, to the 56th Annual CMA Awards in 2022. "I am who I am because of the people who raised me,” she has said.
Jason Davis, WireImage
Her 2022 breakout hit, "Things A Man Oughta Know" got Wilson a songwriting nomination at the ACM Awards that year.
Her 2022 breakout hit, "Things A Man Oughta Know" got Wilson a songwriting nomination at the ACM Awards that year.
Nicole Hester, The Tennessean Via USA TODAY Network
In 2023, Wilson performed on the Mane Stage at the three-day Stagecoach Country Music Festival, which is billed as the largest country music festival in the world.
In 2023, Wilson performed on the Mane Stage at the three-day Stagecoach Country Music Festival, which is billed as the largest country music festival in the world.
Allen J. Schaben, Los Angeles Times Via Getty Images
Wilson accepted the Female Artist of the Year award from Dolly Parton at the Academy of Country Music Awards on May 11, 2023. "She's the one that I look to when I think about how to go about this business," Wilson has said of the country legend.
Wilson accepted the Female Artist of the Year award from Dolly Parton at the Academy of Country Music Awards on May 11, 2023. "She's the one that I look to when I think about how to go about this business," Wilson has said of the country legend.
Theo Wargo, Getty Images
Wilson also won Album of the Year award for "Bell Bottom Country" at the 2023 Academy of Country Music Awards.
Wilson also won Album of the Year award for "Bell Bottom Country" at the 2023 Academy of Country Music Awards.
Christopher Polk, Penske Media Via Getty Images
At the CMA Awards on Nov. 8, 2023, Wilson took home the trophies for entertainer of the year, female vocalist, album of the year and music event and music video of the year.
At the CMA Awards on Nov. 8, 2023, Wilson took home the trophies for entertainer of the year, female vocalist, album of the year and music event and music video of the year.
Andrew Nelles, USA TODAY Network
Wilson performed during CMA Fest on June 10, 2023, in Nashville.
Wilson performed during CMA Fest on June 10, 2023, in Nashville.
Abbey Cutrer For The Tennessean, Via USA TODAY Network
"It's my job to just get up there and make people feel something," Wilson, here at Nashville Municipal Auditorium on Oct. 27, 2023, says about performing.
"It's my job to just get up there and make people feel something," Wilson, here at Nashville Municipal Auditorium on Oct. 27, 2023, says about performing.
Nicole Hester, The Tennessean Via USA TODAY Network
Wilson won a Grammy for Best Country Album in 2024 for "Bell Bottom Country." The album, she said in her acceptance speech, "changed my life."
Wilson won a Grammy for Best Country Album in 2024 for "Bell Bottom Country." The album, she said in her acceptance speech, "changed my life."
Alberto E. Rodriguez, Getty Images For The Recording Academy
At the 2024 CMT Music Awards, Wilson (in a portrait ahead of the ceremony) won Female Video of the Year for "Watermelon Moonshine."
At the 2024 CMT Music Awards, Wilson (in a portrait ahead of the ceremony) won Female Video of the Year for "Watermelon Moonshine."
John Shearer, Getty Images For CMT
Lainey Wilson arrives on the red carpet for the 2025 CMA Awards, where she took home three major awards, including the top honor of Entertainer of the Year. She also won Album of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year, in addition to hosting the show.
Lainey Wilson arrives on the red carpet for the 2025 CMA Awards, where she took home three major awards, including the top honor of Entertainer of the Year. She also won Album of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year, in addition to hosting the show.
Andrew Nelles, The Tennessean Via USA TODAY Network
Wilson performs on Feb. 19, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. "It is crazy to think that people on the other side of the world are somehow finding their story within mine, but that truly is the power of storytelling," she says.
Wilson performs on Feb. 19, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. "It is crazy to think that people on the other side of the world are somehow finding their story within mine, but that truly is the power of storytelling," she says.
Brittany Long, Getty Images
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