Shania Twain made a name for herself as host of the 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards by paying tribute to the women before her.
The 60-year-old singer headlined the 61st ACM Awards on Sunday, May 17, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
“Thank you Las Vegas. Thank you Lainey (Wilson) and congratulations on your wedding last Sunday. Like Lainey, I can’t sit still because let me tell you, I’m so full of energy and excitement that I’m cumming for the first time ever at the concert of the year.”
She added: “Tonight the ACM Awards are choosing Vegas and I really love this city and nothing makes me happier than sitting up front here with these amazing stars.”
Twain then acknowledged a number of country music greats, including women, who hosted the annual event before her: Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton And Reba McEntire.
Twain made her debut as a host at the ACM Awards this year, taking on the role of McEntire.
Shania Twain speaks onstage during the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards
Getty Images“I am thrilled to host the 61st ACM Awards in Las Vegas, a place that feels like home,” Twain said in an April press release. “It’s such an honor to be a part of this incredible evening celebrating country music’s biggest stars, especially with so many talented women leading the nominations this year. I can’t wait to welcome all fans and artists to this unforgettable evening.”
ACM CEO Damon Whiteside added at the time: “We are honored to welcome global music superstar Shania Twain as our host this year. We couldn’t think of a more perfect icon to follow our previous legendary hosts Dolly.” Garth (Brooks) and Reba, who combines one of country music’s most important nights with the excitement of Las Vegas. Shania has an impressive history on the ACM Awards stage, including winning the coveted ACM Entertainer of the Year trophy and receiving the ACM Poet’s Award in recognition of her prolific songwriting career.”
Over the course of her career, Twain has won five ACM Awards and received 14 nominations. Her previous awards include Top New Female Vocalist and Album of the Year. The woman in me 1996 the Double Diamond Award for The woman in me And come over 1999, Entertainer of the Year 2000 and Poet’s Award 2022.
Days before her hosting gig at the ACMs, Twain shared what she was looking forward to at the awards show.
“It’s a chance for me to just be with everyone again,” she said billboard in an interview published on Tuesday, May 12. “It’s one of the rare moments where I get the opportunity to see everyone and meet a lot of the newer artists. Many of them I haven’t met yet, and I’m excited to just be part of the whole ACMs experience.”
After hosting the People’s Choice Country Awards in 2024, Twain brought her previous experience to her role at the ACM Awards.
“I like to bring my own personality into things because I’m a terrible reader. If I rely solely on the teleprompter, I’ll definitely stumble and get lost,” she explained. “I just like to have fun, go with the flow and enjoy the excitement that I get to share with the artists who perform and win awards.”
Twain also revealed how McEntire, 71 – who has hosted the ACM Awards 18 times over the years – inspired her in leading the ceremony.
“As for Reba, she’s flawless,” she said. “I’m definitely more of a fly-by-the-seat-of-the-seat type of guy, very spontaneous, which makes it a different style and character than hosting something. But Reba is everything. She’s funny, she’s a great actress, which makes her really good at mastering the flow and rhythm. She’s just a professional.”
