Joseph Hudak
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Avery Anna was named the 2026 ACM New Female Artist of the Year by the Academy of Country Music. Timothy Norris/Getty Images The Academy of Country Music hosts its 61st annual awards on May 17 in Las Vegas, but at least one category has already been announced. Avery Anna, who released the EP Forgive, Forget last month, was named New Female Artist of the Year. The Arizona native bested Mackenzie Carpenter, Dasha, Caroline Jones, and Emily Ann Roberts to take home the trophy.
Anna, who made her debut in 2024 with the album Breakup Over Breakfast and recently turned heads with a live cover of Ozzy Osbourne’s “No More Tears,” received news of her win after her performance at the Lone Star Smokeout festival in Arlington, Texas, on Sunday.
“I’m just so grateful for this, l’m so honored,” Anna said. “Thank you guys for rallying for me, supporting me and cheering me on.”
Last year’s winner for New Female Artist of the Year is now country’s biggest star: Ella Langley. The “Choosin’ Texas” singer scored seven nominations at this year’s ACMs, tying with Lainey Wilson. The 2024 New Female winner, Megan Moroney, is this year’s leading nominee with nine.
The 2026 ACM Awards, hosted by Shania Twain, get underway at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Vegas on Sunday, May 17, at 8 p.m./ET and stream live on Prime Video. Tickets for the ceremony-slash-concert, which features performances by Lainey Wilson, Kacey Musgraves, and Miranda Lambert, are on sale now at axs.com.
Here are the winners, in bold, for the 61st annual ACM Awards.
Entertainer of the Year Luke Combs Jelly Roll Cody Johnson Megan Moroney Chris Stapleton Morgan Wallen Lainey Wilson
Female Artist of the Year Kelsea Ballerini Miranda Lambert Ella Langley Megan Moroney Lainey Wilson
Male Artist of the Year Luke Combs Riley Green Cody Johnson Chris Stapleton Zach Top
Group of the Year 49 Winchester Flatland Cavalry Old Dominion Rascal Flatts The Red Clay Strays
Duo of the Year Brooks & Dunn Brothers Osborne Dan + Shay Muscadine Bloodline Thelma & James
New Female Artist of the Year Avery Anna Mackenzie Carpenter Dasha Caroline Jones Emily Ann Roberts
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New Male Artist of the Year Gavin Adcock Vincent Mason Shaboozey Hudson Westbrook Tucker Wetmore
Album of the Year Ain’t in It for My Health, Zach Top Cherry Valley, Carter Faith Don’t Mind If I Do (Deluxe), Riley Green I’m the Problem, Morgan Wallen Parker McCollum, Parker McCollum
Song of the Year “A Song to Sing,” Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton (Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, Jenee Fleenor, Jesse Frasure) “Am I Okay?,” Megan Moroney (Megan Moroney, Luke Laird, Jessie Jo Dillon) “Choosin’ Texas,” Ella Langley (Ella Langley, Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert, Joybeth Taylor) “I Never Lie,” Zach Top (Zach Top, Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols) “Somewhere Over Laredo,” Lainey Wilson (Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson, Andy Albert, Harold Arlen & Yip Harburg)
Single of the Year “6 Months Later,” Megan Moroney “Choosin’ Texas,” Ella Langley “I Never Lie,” Zach Top “Somewhere Over Laredo,” Lainey Wilson “The Fall,” Cody Johnson
Music Event of the Year “A Song to Sing,” Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton “Amen,” Shaboozey & Jelly Roll “Don’t Mind If I Do,” Riley Green feat. Ella Langley “Trailblazer,” Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson “You Had to Be There,” Megan Moroney & Kenny Chesney”
Visual Media of the Year “6 Months Later,” Megan Moroney “A Song to Sing,” Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton “Cuckoo,” Stephen Wilson Jr. “Somewhere Over Laredo,” Lainey Wilson “The Fall,” Cody Johnson
Songwriter of the Year Jessie Jo Dillon Ashley Gorley Charlie Handsome Chase McGill Blake Pendergrass
