The 2026 ACM Awards' Most-Nominated Artist Won't Attend the Show - Here's Why
It may be a big night for Megan Moroney at the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards, but the country superstar won't be in attendance to accept any of her trophies.
On Sunday, May 17, just hours before the star-studded ceremony, Moroney took to her Instagram Stories to share that she had already committed to another arrangement that just so happens to be falling on the same day.
Moroney, who is the most-nominated artist this year, will be showing her support for her best friend and UGA sorority sister, Natalie King, who is celebrating a very different milestone - marriage.
"I'm so honored to be nominated tonight at @acmawards, and I'm rooting on all my friends from afar!" Moroney captioned a post that shows her and her bestie sporting sweatsuits.
She added that duty calls as she is set to serve as Maid of Honor.
"I'm out of the country this week on MOH duty to get my bestie married."
Moroney has received nine nominations heading into Country Music's Party of the Year. Those nods include Female Artist of the Year, Song of the Year (Artist and Songwriter), Single of the Year, Music Event of the Year, Visual Media of the Year (Artist and Director), Artist-Songwriter of the Year (which was given to Ella Langley before the show), and - the evening's biggest award as well as her first - Entertainer of the Year.
Along with revealing she'll be watching her bestie walk down the aisle, Moroney shared her excitement for her upcoming Cloud 9 tour, which kicks off on May 29 in Columbus, Ohio, and ends in the fall before picking back up overseas later this year.
"I love you guys and can't wait to see y'all in Columbus! Counting down the days," Moroney wrote in closing.
The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards, hosted by Shania Twain, will be available to stream live on Prime Video from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sunday, May 17, at 8:00 p.m. ET.
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This story was originally published May 17, 2026 at 3:36 PM.