Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media Inc.
“I want people to understand that this journey has taken years of dedication…”
Lainey Wilson is sharing the wisdom she hopes to pass along to the next generation of dreamers — especially young girls who see themselves chasing careers in country music.
The ACM Entertainer of the Year recently invited Southern Living into her home for a rare glimpse of life off the stage. Along with a colorful photo shoot, Wilson sat down for an open conversation about her journey, her values, and the lessons embedded in her music.
For Wilson, every track she writes reflects her life in some way — from lessons learned in childhood to the joy she finds in those she loves, and even the fun-loving anthems that celebrate her bold personality. Though she writes from her own perspective, she’s always mindful of the listener who might need her words most.
“Of course, I write for myself,” she explained, “but I also think about that kid in the back row. Because at one time, I was that kid.”
Wilson is open about the fact that her path to success wasn’t fast or easy. She wants her audience to understand that behind every hit is years of hard work and persistence. “I’m 33 now. I wrote my first song at nine, started guitar at eleven, and moved to Nashville at nineteen,” she recalled. “I spent seven years here before I even got a publishing deal — and that’s when the real hard work began. My songs end up reflecting resilience and rolling your sleeves up, because that’s the life I’ve lived. I don’t know any other way.”
On her current Whirlwind Tour, Wilson makes it a point to celebrate her younger fans directly. Each night she crowns a “cowgirl of the night,” inviting a girl onstage to repeat a message of strength and self-confidence — a ritual meant to remind them they can carve their own path.
While Wilson’s music often carries messages of grit and determination, she doesn’t shy away from joy either. She admits that plenty of her tracks, like the party-ready “Bell Bottoms Up,” are meant to highlight the fun along the way. “I’ve had a lot of fun too,” she said with a laugh.
At the same time, she has learned to balance ambition with perspective. Wilson stresses the importance of knowing who she is outside of her career. “This job means the world to me, but I can’t put all of my worth into it,” she explained. “I know who I am, the Lord knows who I am. It’s about planting your feet, standing for what you believe, and keeping your people close. That’s been my method to the madness.”
Her tight-knit circle of family and friends — especially back home in Baskin, Louisiana — keeps her grounded. No matter how much success comes her way, they remind her that beneath the spotlight, she’s still just Lainey. “When I go home, people want to stop by and see me,” she shared. “But it’s not about the fame — it’s because they just want to see me. And making time for those moments reminds me I’m still Lainey the sister, the daughter, the friend.”
