Lainey Wilson’s journey in country music just hit an unforgettable milestone—she’s officially joining the Grand Ole Opry.
On May 21, 2024, during the season 25 finale of The Voice, Wilson took the stage to perform her latest single, “Hang Tight Honey.” But what started as a routine performance quickly turned into a moment she’ll cherish forever.
As the final notes faded, host Carson Daly handed the mic to Reba McEntire, who was there to share a few words. Reba, full of admiration, praised Lainey for her talent and hard work. Wilson, in awe, playfully responded, “Just when I think you can’t get any cooler.”
Little did she know, Reba was about to make her dream come true.
“I was so proud of you at the ACMs the other night,” Reba said. “And I couldn’t be more proud to be the one that helps you continue to bridge the gap between our generations. I’d like to be the person to invite you to be an official member of the Grand Ole Opry.”
The moment hit Lainey like a wave. Overcome with emotion, she clutched her chest in disbelief as the audience erupted in cheers. Her family, watching from the crowd, witnessed firsthand the culmination of a dream that started when Lainey was just a little girl.
“They took me to Nashville when I was 9 years old, and we went to the Grand Ole Opry,” Lainey recalled. “We saw Bill Anderson, Crystal Gayle, and Little Jimmy Dickens, and I knew right then—I wanted to play there. I wanted to be part of that legacy.”
Turning to Reba, she added, “And it’s so crazy that YOU are the one asking me. I look up to you so much—not just musically, but in the way you carry yourself, your work ethic. You inspire me every day.”
With those words, one country queen passed the torch to another, proving once again that dreams really do come true on the Opry stage.
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