Shania Twain made her mark as host of the 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards by honoring the women who came before her.
The singer, 60, hosted the 61st ACM Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 17.
“Thank you Las Vegas. Thank you Lainey [Wilson] and congratulations on your wedding last Sunday. Like Lainey, I can’t sit still because I can tell you that I’m so full of energy and excitement that I’m hosting the annual concert for the first time.”
He added, “Today the ACM awards are choosing Vegas, and I love this city and nothing makes me happier than being with these amazing stars sitting here in the front.”
Twain then honored a number of country music stars, including the women who hosted the annual event before him: Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton again Reba McEntire.
Twain made his ACM Awards debut this year, replacing McEntire.
Shania Twain speaks on stage during the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards
Getty Images“I’m so excited to host the 61st ACM Awards in Las Vegas, a place that feels like home,” Twain said in an April press release. “It’s a great honor to be a part of this amazing night celebrating the stars of country music, especially since there are so many talented women nominated this year.
ACM officer Damon Whiteside he added at the time, “We are honored to welcome world music star Shania Twain as our host this year. Garth [Brooks] and Reba, bringing together the most important night of country music and excitement in Las Vegas. Shania has an impressive track record at the ACM Awards including winning the coveted ACM Entertainer of the Year trophy and receiving an ACM Poet’s Award honoring her songwriting career.
Throughout his career, Twain has won five ACM Awards and been nominated 14 times. Her past awards include Top New Female Vocalist and Album of the Year Woman in Me in 1996, the Double Diamond Award Woman in Me again Come Over in 1999, Entertainer of the Year in 2000 and Poet’s Award in 2022.
Days before his ACMs hosting gig, Twain opened up about what he’s looking forward to at the awards show.
“It’s my chance to just get back together with everyone,” he said Billboard in an interview published on Tuesday, May 12. “It’s one of those rare times where I get to see everyone and catch a bunch of new artists. Many of them I haven’t met yet, and I’m so excited to be among all the ACMs.”
After hosting the People’s Choice Country Awards in 2024, Twain brought his past experience to his role at the ACM Awards.
“I like to put my own personality into things because I’m a bad student. If I rely entirely on the teleprompter, I’m bound to stumble and lose,” he explained. “I just like to have fun and go well, I’m entering the opportunity to share with musicians who are singing and who are going to win awards.”
Twain also revealed how McEntire, 71 — who has hosted the ACM Awards 18 times over the years — inspired his approach to hosting the event.
“When it comes to Reba, she is flawless,” he said. “I’m definitely a fly-by-the-seat-of-the-pants kind of person, spontaneous, which makes it a different style and character to handle something. But Reba is everything. She’s funny, she’s a great actress, which makes her very good at speaking and reading. She’s just a genius.”
