Lainey Wilson has discovered her soulmate. On the vibrant red carpet at the ACM Awards, the enchanting vocalist of "Watermelon Moonshine" raved about her fiancé, Devlin "Duck" Hodges, revealing she was "utterly astonished" when he popped the question. "Absolutely stunned, yet overjoyed to have found a man who is as laid-back as he is loving," she exclaimed. "He's my number one fan, greeting me with high-fives as I enter and as I leave – it's all I've ever wanted."
The 32-year-old country music sensation announced her engagement to Hodges on Instagram in February 2025, posting intimate snapshots of their joyful moment, captured just after he bent the knee. Wilson and Hodges, a former NFL quarterback, publicly acknowledged their relationship in May 2023 by walking the ACM Awards red carpet together. She later confessed that they had been romantically involved for two and a half years before stepping into the public eye.
In a footage captured by News Channel 5 Nashville, Wilson's voice tinged with excitement as she shared that she had a hunch about the proposal but hesitated, thinking, "I'd be so disappointed if I jinxed it and it didn't happen." On the fateful day, the couple had originally planned to visit the George Jones estate. "But as we approached, I realized our plans had subtly shifted," Wilson recounted. "He had orchestrated everything – candles, photo frames – it was impeccably perfect."
Wilson made her acting debut in the season five premiere of "Yellowstone" in November 2022, portraying Abby, a musician who embarks on a relationship with Ryan, a ranch hand at Dutton Ranch. She is now poised to shine in the cinematic adaptation of Colleen Hoover's novel, "Reminders of Him," expressing her eagerness to venture beyond her comfort zone. "I'm embarking on a character that's a world apart from what I've done before," she elaborated. "I'm not portraying a musician, which is thrilling and pushes boundaries – let's see where this journey takes me."
Her journey in country music began over a decade and a half ago when she relocated from her quaint Louisiana town to Nashville. After years of relentless dedication, Wilson broke into the music scene with her chart-topping single, "Things a Man Oughta Know," which soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. During a chat with Fox News Digital in May 2024, Wilson humorously attributed her steadfast work ethic and success to her parents, emphasizing, "They've been my unwavering support since day one."
"I believe it stems from my farming roots – both my mom's and dad's side. They rolled up their sleeves and worked tirelessly every day, through good times and bad. But at the end of the day, they loved what they did," she shared. Her relentless efforts were amply rewarded as she bagged the Entertainer of the Year and Female Artist of the Year awards at the ACM Awards for the second consecutive year.
