If you’ve watched the hit TV show Yellowstone, you’ve likely heard of Lainey Wilson—or, at the very least, one of her songs. Apart from playing the role of Abby, her songs were featured multiple times throughout Season 3 and Season 5.
As a regular at prestigious award shows like the Academy of Country Music Awards, Country Music Association Awards, and the Grammys, Lainey has made quite a name for herself in the country music scene. But who’s really behind the angelic voice and captivating lyrics?
This article answers everything you need to know about the singer-songwriter Lainey Wilson. How old is Lainey Wilson? How did her career start? Does she have a boyfriend? Find out here.
Who Is Lainey Wilson, And How Old Is She?
Lainey Denay Wilson is an award-winning singer-songwriter and actress.
She was born on May 19, 1992, in the small town of Baskin, Louisiana, home to just over 200 people. As of June 2024, she’s 32 years old.
Lainey is the second daughter of Brian and Michelle, who, at the time, worked as a farmer and schoolteacher.
Lainey adores her parents, and she looks fondly back on her childhood. “They mean a whole lot to me,” she said in an interview with American Songwriter. “I wouldn’t be me if Brian and Michelle Wilson didn’t raise it.”
As a small-town girl, Lainey lived a modest life. She loved country music and was drawn to the stage at nine.
She vividly remembers attending a performance at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, listening to Bill Anderson, Crystal Gayle, and Little Jimmy Dickens. Their performances moved her so much that she started crying as soon as the concert was over.
After the life-changing trip to Music City, Lainey started writing and singing her songs. She also learned how to play the guitar, courtesy of her father.
At only 14, Lainey released her first album on Myspace, “Country Girls Rule.” The song didn’t gain much traction but didn’t dissuade her from pursuing her dreams. She knew, even at a young age, that she would make it big—she just needed the right opportunity and a lot of hard work.
Early Career
Despite her talent, Lainey’s rise to stardom wasn’t easy.
After finishing high school, Lainey moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and lived in a small camper trailer near a recording studio. She took on various gigs, performing at live events, bars, and festivals while writing songs.
As she worked, Lainey took every opportunity to network within the industry. The competition was fierce, though, especially in Nashville. Some music execs told her she wouldn’t make it because she was “too country for country.”
The rejection stung, but Lainey didn’t let it bother her. In 2014, she released a self-titled album on the Cupit Label, followed by another two years later on the Lone Chief label.
The 2014 album didn’t garner much attention, but the second album, “Tougher,” landed a spot in the Billboard Top Country Albums, peaking at number 44.
Lainey’s journey continued in 2018 with the release of her second EP, featuring six songs. The EP caught the attention of Sony/ATV, landing her a publishing contract and a record deal with BBR Music Group.
Rise to Stardom
After the success of the 2018 EP, Lainey’s career took off.
She released her third EP, “Redneck Hollywood,” in 2019, as well as her first major single, “Dirty Looks.” Her songs were also featured on popular TV shows, like Yellowstone (Season 3 and Season 5). Later, Lainey landed a supporting role in the show.
In 2020, one of Lainey’s biggest dreams came true: she performed at the Grand Ole Opry. That same year, she released “Thing a Man Oughta Know,” which went viral on Apple Music, YouTube, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and Pandora. It became her breakout single, peaking at number three on Hot Country Songs and one on the Billboard Country Airplay.
2022 was another significant year for Lainey when she released her third studio album, “Bell Bottom Country.”
Bell Bottom Country won dozens of awards, including Best Country Album at the Grammys, Album of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards, and Album of Year at the Academy of Country Music Awards.
In 2023, Lainey received the highest number of nominations and awards at the 57th Annual Country Music Association Awards.
Of the nine nominations, she won five, including the association’s highest award: Entertainer of the Year. Lainey is the third woman to win Entertainer of the Year after Taylor Swift in 2009 and Miranda Lambert in 2022.
What Is Lainey’s Net Worth?
According to several sources, including Yahoo! and Parade, Lainey’s estimated net worth is between $4 million and $5 million.
Much of her income comes from album sales and streams like Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Music, as well as revenue from touring.
She also received fairly sizable compensation for her acting role as Abby in Yellowstone.
Is Lainey In a Relationship?
In Yellowstone, Lainey Wilson’s character Abby finds romance with Ryan, played by Ian Bohen.
However, in real life, in a 2023 interview with People, Lainey revealed that she’s in a relationship with former NFL quarterback Devlin “Duck” Hodges—and has been since 2021.
According to Lainey, she and her boyfriend valued their privacy and agreed to keep things down low. Nothing else is publicly known about their relationship.
Conclusion
From small-town girl to Grammy Award winner, Lainey Wilson proves that anyone can make it big with enough determination.
Before making it to the big stage, Lainey faced rejections that could have crushed a lesser spirit. Lainey claims that she had the door “slammed shut on her face” on more than one occasion, but she never lost sight of her passion.
As of 2024, Lainey Wilson is 32 years old. We’re excited to see what the young country star has in store for the future!
