Lainey Wilsonhas taken the world of country music by storm over the past few years.
There seems to be no stopping this 31-year-old songstress.
Growing up in Louisiana gave Wilson a true country background.
She was raised on a small farm by her school teacher mother and farmer father.
Growing up in there gave her a deep appreciation for country music from a young age.
In that area no stoplight, just a bunch of cornfields it was just a way of life."
She had her first paid performance when she was only nine years old.
It was clear she had a dream, but her path to getting there wasn’t always as clear.
Before she was recognized as a singer in her own right, Wilson worked as a Hannah Montana impersonator.
She would go on as herself before coming on in a wig to play the character.
“Lainey Wilson would open for Hannah Montana,” Wilson explained.
She set up camp (literally) in a camper trailer parked outside of a recording studio in 2011.
Living in the 20-foot trailer had its quirks.
I was very lonely.
I didn’t know hardly anybody in town.
Tornadoes would roll through; the tornado sirens would be going off.
The winters were cold."
While living in Nashville and sleeping in her trailer, she played many local shows and continued writing music.
And despite many setbacks, Wilson continued to chase that success.
“I just knew that I was supposed to write country music.
Wilson released her first project, a self-titled album, in 2014.
44 on Billboard’s Top Country Album chart, quite an impressive feat for an independent artist.
It seemed her star was finally on the rise.
3 in Billboard’s Hot Country Songs.
But as her success started to build, Wilson had no concerns about losing herself.
If I had to be anything other than myself, it just wouldn’t work.”
Wilson joined the cast in the fifth season of the show in 2022, playing Abby.
The role was written with Wilson in mind after her music was featured on the show.
Acting was never Wilson’s dream, as she’s always been focused on country music.
But she pushed herself to take the part anyway.
But Wilson almost quit the show before her big acting debut.
When her father ended up in the ICU during filming, she wanted to stay by his side.
It took advice from her father to stick with the series.
However, she did get a boost in her career thanks to aviral TikTok momentin 2022.
The video shows Wilson performing from a side angle and emphasizes the singer’s impressive figure.
Wilson was at first taken aback by the viral reaction to the video.
After getting over the initial surprise, Wilson realized she could use the viral moment to her advantage.
on her album “Sayin' What I’m Thinkin.'”
Beyond meeting Parton, Wilson also had the opportunity to work with her idol.
Wilson had a visibly emotional response to a video message from Parton.
It was an exciting night for the rising star and a show of how far she’s come.
“The Ladies in this category, I look up to y’all so much.”
She continued, “Everybody in this category didn’t just wind up there by happenstance.
They have worked their fingers to the bone.
They have put their blood, sweat, and tears, and years into this.”
I would be careful.
Take it easy sometimes."
“People will do whatever to make a dollar, even if it is lies.
‘Cause ain’t nobody sent me any gummies,” the singer said.
This marks the second year in a row that she’s been the most nominated artist at the CMAs.
Wilson took to herInstagramto express her gratitude for the recognition.
“Being nominated in each of these categories amongst my friends means the world to me.
And the coveted Entertainer Of The Year category?!
It’s absolutely surreal,” she wrote.
