The Bobby Bones Show: Lainey Wilson on Hosting the CMAs, Her Fiancé, New Movie + Thanksgiving Sides Debate

Episode Date: November 26, 2025
Podcast: The Bobby Bones Show (Premiere Networks)
Episode: WEDS PT 2

Episode Overview

This episode features a candid, lively interview with country superstar Lainey Wilson just after her big night hosting the CMA Awards. Bobby Bones and the crew dig into Lainey's preparation process, onstage nerves and wardrobe secrets, plus her new projects—including acting and voiceover gigs. The conversation also takes a personal turn with Lainey sharing thoughts on privacy and her relationship. The episode’s second half is a hilarious, heated roundtable: the hosts and callers debate the best Thanksgiving side dishes, with plenty of banter and personal confessions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Lainey Wilson’s CMA Awards Hosting Experience

• Preparation & Mindset:
  • Lainey shares the intense mental focus leading up to hosting solo—meditation, grounding herself in the moment, and the pressure of representing country music on one of its biggest stages.
    • “The week leading up to it, I was just trying to get in the zone any way that I possibly could…to make sure I was actually in every single moment and not, like, skipping ahead.” — Lainey Wilson (03:03)
• Nerves Hosting Alone:
  • Initially, she says "great, let’s do it", but closer to the show felt the nerves:
    • “I really did say yes, that I’m gonna do this thing by myself. So, um, no pressure.” — Lainey Wilson (03:57)
• Handling Mistakes Onstage:
  • Admits to stumbling over lines and practicing “goldfish brain” (letting mistakes go)—something only she noticed.
    • “Nobody notices except for you. That's the craziest thing.” — Bobby Bones (05:17)
• Wardrobe:
  • Seven total costume changes; most were loaned, a few kept.
  • Her mom has been wearing some of her hand-me-downs—outfits with “glitter and deep plunges.” (07:57)

2. Personal Life & Privacy

• On Guarding Her Private Life:
  • Lainey talks about keeping her relationship with fiancé “Duck” special, despite being in the public eye.
    • “It can get pretty sticky or dangerous when everybody knows everything.” — Lainey Wilson (10:15)
  • She values keeping some things sacred even as her fame grows.

3. New Projects: Acting and Voiceover

• Movie Role:
  • Lainey stars in “Reminders of Him” (out March 2026), her first role not as a musician.
  • Filmed in a quick shoot of 3–4 days, and she drew from her own personality for the character.
• Voiceover Debut:
  • She'll be on the “Family Guy Christmas Special,” singing in her first animated appearance.
    • “I’d like to get into more of that [voiceover].” — Lainey (13:00)
• Macy’s Day Parade Performance:
  • She’ll perform on the ground, not on a float (“the big ones go on the ground”), and will sing live instead of lip-synching.

4. Fun Facts & Rumor Busters

• Bobby rattles off online “fun facts” about Lainey—many of which are false:
  • Does not hate being barefoot; doesn’t whistle well; didn’t travel with a blowup mattress; never taped bell bottoms for tailoring.
• She writes some melodies in the car but doesn't write lyrics while driving.

5. Grand Ole Opry & Country Roots

• Opry Membership Story:
  • Invited by Reba on stage:
    • “She had this belt buckle and invited me to be a member of the Opry. I will never forget that.” — Lainey (15:16)
  • Has played the Opry around 40 times.

6. Tour Updates

• U.S. leg of her “Whirlwind” tour complete; Australian dates coming next.
  • “They're like British Texans... They like to have a good time.” — Lainey on Australian fans (20:41)

7. Debunking On-Stage and Personal Myths

• Discusses having plantar fasciitis (not bunions!) and not being a great whistler.
• Playful banter about running into Lunchbox at an ENT office with her fiancé, confirming the story is true.

Thanksgiving Sides: Heated Debate & Humor

[Begins at 22:10]

• Listener Hannah (UPS worker) calls in: Wants to know everyone’s favorite Thanksgiving side.
• Bobby:
  • Loves fried okra, but “dressing” (stuffing) is #1 core side; mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, corn are also musts.
    • “Turkey is not that good. I love turkey when there are other great things with it, but by itself, turkey just isn’t that good.” — Bobby Bones (23:03)
• Amy:
  • Always brings ketchup for turkey (!)—“probably the only person at the table with ketchup” (23:51)
  • Dressing/stuffing, mac and cheese, sweet potato casserole/candied yams are favorites.
    • “You mix it in with some of your salty things on your plate and it’s just so good.” — Amy (25:33)
• Eddie:
  • Big defender of the roll (“It's the favorite part of the meal” 26:14); loves making turkey sandwiches out of it.
  • Prefers King’s Hawaiian or bakery style oven rolls.
• Lunchbox:
  • Rolls are #1—“have five of them, then you’re like, should I have eaten five? Give me a sixth!”
• Laney Wilson:
  • Loves green bean casserole—her wife's version uses cream of onion instead of mushroom.
• Bobby’s Dairy-free Thanksgiving:
  • Bobby can’t eat dairy, so brings his own dishes, tries lactaid but “it doesn’t fully work.”
  • Conversation devolves into strategies for surviving family holidays with dietary restrictions.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Performing Live vs. TV:

  • “The way you perform has to be a little bit different... you have to bob and weave.” — Lainey (20:03)

• On Keeping Relationship Private:

  • “I do feel like it can get pretty sticky or dangerous when everybody knows everything.” — Lainey (10:15)

• Lainey on Touring in Australia:

  • “They don’t have any cousins over there... They're like British Texans.” — Lainey (20:41)

• Thanksgiving Sides, Summed Up:

  • “Rolls are the broom at the end where you sweep everything into a pile.” — Bobby Bones (26:43)
  • “On Thanksgiving, a roll > biscuit.” — Bobby (26:17)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:53: Start of Lainey Wilson interview
• 03:03–04:15: CMA Awards prep and hosting nerves
• 05:04–05:59: Handling mistakes, support from fiancé
• 07:42: Costumes/wardrobe after the show
• 10:03–11:08: Privacy, fame, and protecting relationships
• 11:16–13:30: New movie role, acting differences, Family Guy voiceover
• 15:10–16:00: Lainey's invitation to the Grand Ole Opry
• 20:24: Whirlwind tour / Australia discussion
• 22:10–28:00+: Thanksgiving sides roundtable
• 29:30: Green bean casserole debate
• 32:45: Listener interaction (non-content)
• Beyond: Lighthearted news, sidebars, and miscellaneous banter

Tone & Style

• Warm, Real, Self-deprecating: Lainey is candid about nerves, self-critique, and setting boundaries despite her fame.
• Fast-paced, Playful, Occasionally Snarky: The group debate has good-natured teasing about food preferences, with Bobby and Amy poking fun at their own quirks.
• Relatable: Both Lainey and the hosts frequently share “normal people” moments, e.g., wardrobe cleaning, family traditions, and pet peeves.

Episode Highlights

• A heartfelt, honest look at the pressure and pride of hosting country music’s biggest night.
• Insightful personal reflection from Lainey Wilson on keeping some privacy as her star rises.
• Funny, vivid debate over Thanksgiving food—plenty of “hot takes” and family traditions.
• New projects teased: Movie role, Family Guy special, and more.
• Lainey’s warmth and humor are matched by the hosts’ relatable stories—making for a lively, engaging listen, especially for fans of country music and holiday traditions.

This summary covers all the main topics and memorable exchanges, making it easy for a new listener to catch up or revisit highlights without missing any of the episode's flavor or fun.