Kelsea Ballerini Snubbed at ACM Awards

Newsweek

09-05-2025

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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Kelsea Ballerini didn't win any of the awards she was nominated for at the Academy of Country Music Awards (ACMs)—sparking outrage from her fans.
Newsweek reached out to Ballerini's representative via email for comment on Friday.
The Context
The 60th Academy of Country Music Awards took place on Thursday, May 8, at The Star in Frisco, Texas. It was a star-studded affair, with celebrities posing on the red carpet including: Ballerini and boyfriend Chase Stokes, Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman, Shaboozey, Reba McEntire and Rex Linn, LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian, Mickey Guyton, Wynonna Judd, Jelly Roll and Bunnie XO, Rita Wilson.
Ballerini rose to fame in 2015 following the release of her debut album The First Time, which featured her hit single Love Me Like You Mean It." The Tennessee native began writing songs at the age of 13 as a way to cope with her parents' divorce, and moved to Nashville when she was 15 years old.
Her past accolades include several ACM and CMA awards, as well as multiple Grammy nominations. In 2014, she was recognized as one of Country Music Television's "Next Women of Country."
The Voice judge recently wrapped up her Kelsea Ballerini Live tour.
Kelsea Ballerini attends the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards at The Star in Frisco on May 8, 2025 in Frisco, Texas.
Kelsea Ballerini attends the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards at The Star in Frisco on May 8, 2025 in Frisco, Texas.for ACM
What to Know
Ballerini was nominated several ACM awards this year: Entertainer of the Year, Female Artist of the Year and Music Event of the Year (as one of three producers on "Cowboys Cry Too").
She didn't win in any category.
The 31-year-old has been nominated for Female Artist of the Year eight times but has never won. She lost to Lainey Wilson and Miranda Lambert three times each and Maren Morris twice. Wilson took home the 2025 trophies for both Female Artist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year.
Ballerini appeared to react to her snubs by posting a Mean Girls meme to her Instagram Stories: "And.. none for Gretchen Weiners," it read.
What People Are Saying
Following the awards ceremony, many of Ballerini's fans took to X, formerly Twitter, to share their disappointment over her losses.
@itsxoocarrie wrote: "after showering kelsea with sooo much media attention, after putting her in the front, she gets robbed again... disappointed but unfortunately not surprised she's our entertainer & female artist of the year, no matter what they say #ACMawards."
@maryshea_ said: "I don't give a flying f what the ACMs say Kelsea Ballerini is the 2025 entertainer of the year. Period."
@amandathecow added: "Not Kelsea Ballerini getting snubbed by country music year after year...she wrote the best 2 albums of her career then followed it up with an arena tour. What else does she have to do to get some recognition?!"
@AwkwardPancake shared: "Watching the ACMs is annoying because I don't like watching Lainey Wilson win everything. Give Kelsea Ballerini her rightful awards."
@NatashaGee10 chimed in: "Kelsea Ballerini cannot catch a break when it comes to awards. I mean what more does it take?! I truly do not get how she has not won anything! #ACMawards."
@swiftballerinis posted: "OK, but like what is the real definition of entertainer of the year because i always thought it was like the artist that puts on the best performance because isn't that what an entertainer does entertain? in that case it should be kelsea ballerini."
@kalob_3x89 said: "KELSEA BALLERINI HAD ONE OF THE BEST YEARS OF ALL TIME. WAKE THE HELL UP. ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR FOR SOMEONE WHO IS STILL AN OPENER CMON NOW. GET IT TOGETHER @ACMawards."
@LizzieElise wrote: "what is it going to take to get kelsea ballerini an acm award for female artist of the year because it's long overdue at this point."
@Alyssakrink posted: "can we all sue the academy? bc why are we snubbing artists, SPECIFICALLY kelsea ballerini, from winning awards that they so rightfully deserve? it's the SAME PEOPLE every year, SPECIFICALLY lainey wilson. GIVE THE AWARDS TO SOMEONE ELSE. #ACMawards"
@aalondra_as shared: "Many know her as Kelsea ballerini but to me it's ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR."
What Happens Next
A date for the ACM Awards 2026 is yet to be announced.