Lainey Wilson may be a country music artist, but that’s not her only gig these days. She has recently ventured into the world of acting.
Wilson will star as the character named Abby on Season 5’s Yellowstone, and the “Watermelon Moonshine” singer has been busy shooting for her upcoming role in the state of Montana.
Speaking about the new endeavor on Wednesday night (Aug. 24) during the 15th annual Academy of Country Music (ACM) Honors, Wilson said she’s been enjoying her time learning about the filming process in “Big Sky Country.”
“We’ve been on set all summer. We have been out there in Montana. If it was up to me, I’d just stay in Montana. I’m like ‘Can I just fly out of here and go to the shows?” Wilson shared.
Wilson, whose character on Yellowstone was created with her in mind, will play the role of a musician, performing her original music. She will star alongside celebrity cast mates including Kevin Costner, Kelly Reilly, Cole Hauser, Luke Grimes, Wes Bentley, Kelsey Asbille, Brecken Merrill, Jefferson White, Forrie Smith, Denim Richards, Ian Bohen, Finn Little, Ryan Bingham, and Gil Birmingham.
Along with Wilson, new additions to the Yellowstone family include Kai Caster, Lilli Kay, and Dawn Olivieri. Wilson says the opportunity to work alongside her costars, which include some show business veterans, has been nothing short of “great.”
“Everybody, the whole cast and crew, everybody’s been so great and has just made me feel welcome,” the reigning ACM New Female Artist Of The Year explained. “I’m getting to learn from the best. It’s truly just a blessing for me to have this opportunity, for me to share more of my music with the world.”
Luckily, Wilson doesn’t have to journey too far from her personality and mannerisms, as she describes her Yellowstone character to be someone that she identifies with.
“It’s pretty much me. And it’s cool, I’m getting to sing my own songs, I’m getting to wear my get-up, I just go by the name Abby, so it’s awesome. It really is,” Wilson explained before adding that she did not anticipate diving into acting in the first place. Instead, the opportunity found her. But, she was not about to pass up on the chance to try something new.
“I mean, this is definitely something I was not, you know, expecting to happen,” Wilson said. “But I had made a promise and a vow to myself that if doors open, I’m gonna run through them. And this was truly a blessing from the Lord.”
Wilson initially announced she would be joining the cast of Yellowstone back in June. Her debut on the popular American series, which drew over 10 million viewers after Season four, marks her first acting role aside from being in music videos.
Fans have already gotten to see Wilson’s acting skills come to life with the accompanying video for the murder balled, “Wait in the Truck,” her heavy collaboration with HARDY. In the music video, Wilson plays the role of a “bruised and broken” victim. She shows a strong talent as her facial expressions and emotions tell a very realistic story of someone who has gone through the pain of experiencing domestic abuse.
Wilson is also gearing up to release her new album, Bell Bottom Country, set for release on October 20. The project is the follow-up to 2021’s Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’.
Yellowstone Season 5 premieres Sunday (Nov. 13) at 8/7c on Paramount Network.
