Cody Johnson won Entertainer of the Year at the 2026 ACM Awards, but after the show he returned to the stage for an epic photo opportunity.
Ashley McBryde presented Cody with Male Artist of the Year and afterward explained her very Seussical presentation speech.
Those are just two ACM highlights you missed if you only watched the show on Amazon Prime. Sunday night’s (May 17) show featured more than a dozen performances and eight televised awards but the most honest moments may have come when TV cameras were pointed the other way.
2026 ACM Awards, Behind the Scenes Photos
Langley was seated at a table with Wilson, Miranda Lambert and their respective plus ones, but she made her way over to Chris Stapleton at one point. Apparently she’s quite funny when she’s not trying to parse her emotions during acceptance speeches.
If you only watched on television, you also missed an epic women of country music photo opp!
Christopher Polk/Dick Clark Productions via Getty Images
Christopher Polk, Dick Clark Productions Via Getty Images
John Shearer, Getty Images
Missing in that photo of 2026 ACM Awards Female Artist of the Year nominees is Megan Moroney, who wasn’t at the show for reasons explained at the very start of the above video.
She wasn’t the only Entertainer of the Year nominee to skip however. In fact Jelly Roll, Luke Combs and Morgan Wallen also missed the show, meaning half of the artists in that category were elsewhere.
Related: The Truth About Ashley McBryde’s Unexpected ACM Awards Presentation Speech
Johnson would win and he was very much present. His powerful acceptance speech paid tribute to Combs but also his wife and family.
John Shearer, Getty Images
Miranda Lambert Went To See No Doubt!
Lambert had a surprisingly big weekend overall. Not only did she perform her new song “Crisco” and win an ACM for co-writing Song of the Year winner “Choosin’ Texas,” she took in some Vegas night life.
Did anyone have Miranda going to see Gwen Stefani in concert on their bingo card?
On Saturday, the country singer took in a No Doubt show at the Sphere, and it looks like she loved it. Perhaps she’s settling all of her old feuds. First Kacey Musgraves, then her ex-husband Blake Shelton‘s wife…
Who’s next? Watch to the end of the above video for a couple of suggestions.
2026 ACM Awards Red Carpet Pictures – See Country Music’s Best Dressed!
Here are the best, worst and most unusual outfits from the ACM red carpet, including every couple we could find before the May 17 show began on Amazon Prime.
Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes