Lainey Wilson considers herself a “cougar” because “I married me a young man.”

Wilson, 34, and former football player Devlin “Duck” Hodges, 30, said “I do” earlier this year in Tennessee. Hodges shared a clip on Instagram from his wife’s appearance on ESPN’s “College Game Day” over the weekend. The Whirlwind hitmaker said, “give me BYU because they’re the Cougars and I’m a cougar. I married me a young man.”

Wilson and Hodges tied the knot on May 10 at the Ruskin Cave in Dickson, Tennessee. Wilson told Vogue Weddings, “Duck and I were driving backroads in Tennessee and saw a billboard for The Ruskin Cave. Duck said, ‘You wanna get married there?’ I said, ‘Done deal.’ We dropped by, saw the venue, and fell in love with the natural beauty of the cave and the simplicity of the property.”

The “4x4xU” artist has since offered glimpses of her wedding day in photos and clips on Instagram, sharing that it “felt like a dream.” She and Hodges began dating in 2021, and they publicly confirmed their relationship on the red carpet at the Academy of Country Music Awards in May 2023. Hodges proposed in February 2025 at late legend George Jones’ estate in Franklin, Tennessee. Wilson said it “could not have been more perfect.” Wilson recently shared the marriage advice she received from Dolly Parton weeks before the beloved icon’s passing.

During her appearance on “College Game Day in her home state of Louisiana, Wilson confirmed she’s returning to host the Country Music Association’s CMA Awards for her third consecutive year. Country music’s biggest night will return for its milestone 60th show on Wednesday, November 18.

“I couldn't be more excited to be hosting the CMA Awards again this year, especially with it being the 60th anniversary,” Wilson said in a statement. “I’ve had so much fun hosting the last two years, and this one's going to be extra special. Can't wait to see y'all in November!”

Wilson is also part of the star-studded, genre-spanning lineup of the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Festival presented by Capital One, along with BTS, Benson Boone, Cardi B, Goo Goo Dolls, Kenny Chesney, Major Lazer, Muse, Snoop Dogg, Weezer, Zara Larsson, and more. Ryan Seacrest will host the two-night event when it returns on September 18 and September 19 to T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Fans can tune in to the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Festival as the event will be broadcast live each night via iHeartMedia radio stations throughout the country across more than 150 markets. Disney + and Hulu will be the Official Streaming Destination of the festival, with performances livestreamed each night exclusively to all Disney + and Hulu subscribers.

Dana McKenzie

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