Kelsea Ballerini presented Lainey Wilson with the Record Breaker Award presented by Lone River Ranch Water at Billboard's Country Power Players 2024.
Kelsea Ballerini:
I'm a Virgo, a millennial and a perfectionist, which is terrifying. So I wrote my speech because this woman deserves to not be ruined. To break records, you must first become a pioneer. Before you become a pioneer, you must become a pioneer. Before you become a pioneer, you have to become someone who doesn't take no for an answer, and before you become that phrase I won't bother you with again, you have to become a creator, a hard worker, a seeker of the truth, but above all a dreamer.
Lainey Wilson is wholehearted and certainly all those things, right? I can stand here and tell you her ever-growing list of praises from her. And I could give you cold, hard data. For example, you could tell them that she just had her seventh number one single at country radio, or you could hypothetically tell them that she is the current CMA Entertainer of the Year.
But instead, I want to read you a text message exchange between Lainey and I, which I think will tell you everything you need to know about this woman. She posts the Grammys if you know, you know. I told him: “I love you and I am deeply happy for you. I hope you feel supported, sustained, and celebrated, my friend. Sorry, the Internet is working. I hope you know that I will always be on your side.”
She responded: “Let's show those dumb people on the Internet that they are so wrong. I love you. I am in your corner forever and ever. You are one of the real ones and I am grateful to have you in my life. Your poise and thoughtfulness are unreal and I learn a lot from you, I love you.”
Keep watching to learn more!
thanks to our partners at www.billboard.com
