Billboard Ranks 15 ACM Awards Performances as Ella Langley, Cody Johnson Sweep Top Honors
Updated
Updated · Billboard · May 18
Billboard Ranks 15 ACM Awards Performances as Ella Langley, Cody Johnson Sweep Top Honors
3 articles · Updated · Billboard · May 18
Billboard counted down all 15 performances from the 2026 ACM Awards in Las Vegas, spotlighting a show that packed more than a dozen sets into just over two hours.
Ella Langley emerged as the night’s biggest winner with 5 trophies, while Cody Johnson took entertainer of the year and male artist of the year, framing many of the evening’s most-watched moments.
Kacey Musgraves’ “Dry Spell,” Ella Langley’s stripped-down “Be Her” and The Red Clay Strays’ “Demons in Your Choir” were highlighted among the strongest sets, alongside standout turns from Miranda Lambert and Tucker Wetmore.
The performances leaned heavily toward newer releases and ballads, though Kane Brown, Zach Top and others added lighter or more upbeat moments to balance the show.
Shania Twain hosted the MGM Grand ceremony, streamed on Amazon Prime Video, as the ACMs mixed established stars with rising acts across country music’s current lineup.
Ella Langley swept the ACMs, so why did top nominee Megan Moroney go home empty-handed?
Does the success of traditional female artists signal a permanent power shift in country music?
With women dominating the charts, must country music's male stars now change their sound to compete?