Will Lainey Wilson trade her microphone for a movie set? Her candid take on ‘Yellowstone’ and the secrets behind her casting. ML
Country Singer Lainey Wilson Shines on ‘Yellowstone’ But Keeps Her Heart in Songwriting
Lainey Wilson, the rising star known for hits like “Things a Man Oughta Know,” took a bold step into acting this year with her role as Abby on Yellowstone season 5. Despite the excitement of this new venture, Wilson insists that music will always remain her first love.
Speaking exclusively with Us Weekly at the 2023 CMT Music Awards on April 2, Wilson said, “I will never not make songwriting my priority because the songwriting is what has given me all the rest of these opportunities.” When asked if she might leave music behind to focus on acting, the 30-year-old country artist made it clear that her heart is firmly rooted in her music career.
Wilson’s character Abby debuted in the premiere episode of Yellowstone season 5, “One Hundred Years Is Nothing,” and soon formed a romantic storyline with Ryan, played by Ian Bohen. Wilson’s involvement in the show began with her friendship with creator Taylor Sheridan, which started in 2018 when Sheridan included some of her songs in the series.
“We became buddies,” Wilson said. “He invited me to Vegas for a horse-riding competition, and that’s where we really connected. I knew the friendship would lead to something, but I didn’t expect it would lead to me being on the show.”
Last February, Sheridan surprised Wilson with an invitation to join Yellowstone as a character crafted just for her. “He said, ‘I want you to wear your bell bottoms, sing your own songs, and be yourself — but play a musician named Abby,’” Wilson recalled.
Balancing fame in both music and acting, Wilson credits her family and Nashville team for keeping her grounded. “They check me every now and then and remind me who I am,” she said.
At the awards show, Wilson took home two major honors: Female Video of the Year and Collaborative Video of the Year. She also gave a powerful performance of “Heart Like a Truck,” and joined Alanis Morissette, Ingrid Andress, Madeline Edwards, and Morgan Wade in a memorable performance of “You Oughta Know.”
During her acceptance speech, Wilson emotionally reflected on the message behind her winning video. “This song is about finding freedom and strength,” she said. “It’s about not being afraid of the scratches and dents along the way. We all have stories to tell, and I’m so proud this video was created by an all-women team.”
She closed by thanking her fans and supporters: “Thank you Jesus for this opportunity, and thank you CMT for believing in me early on. I feel like my dreams are coming true right before my eyes. This is for y’all. I love y’all so much.”
