Lainey Wilson is celebrating a major career milestone with her inclusion on the 2025 TIME100 Next list, a prestigious annual list that spotlights 100 of the world’s most influential rising stars and emerging leaders.
To mark the milestone, TIME enlisted Wilson’s longtime friend and “Good Horses” duet partner Miranda Lambert to pen a heartfelt tribute message in her honor.
“I’m a huge fan of Lainey Wilson. I heard just a few songs and instantly loved what she is doing. She is such a light. She’s funny, and she’s fun, and she has a spirit about her that brings joy to any room she walks in,” Lambert wrote in her TIME100 tribute to Wilson. “Knowing her off the stage and on, I feel like I’m looking at the same person all the time. That’s pretty rare. What she does doesn’t define her. Who she is defines her, and that’s real authenticity.”
Lambert continued, “She lives and breathes songs, and you can see that passion in her eyes; it’s all about the music for her, and she lets the music lead. She’s a legend already—having taken home her first Grammy last year for Bell Bottom Country—and I’m thankful she’s a country artist. I’m really proud of how she represents the lifestyle we both love and the music we both love. She’s out of the gate going 100 miles an hour.”
Shortly after being named as one of the artists included in the TIME100 Next list, Lainey Wilson took to social media on Tuesday (Sept. 30) to share her reaction, and graciously thank Lambert for the touching tribute.
“Proud is an understatement. Thank you TIME for including me in the 2025 TIME100 Next list and thanks to my girl Miranda Lambert for this kind words. Means more than you know,” Wilson wrote in her Instagram stories alongside a red heart emoji.
In addition to the 33-year-old country superstar, Gracie Abrams, Becky G, GloRilla, Tate McRae, Rema, Fuerza Regida, Teyana Taylor and more were also included on the TIME100 Next list.
“The TIME100 Next spotlights changemakers from around the globe who are shaping the next generation of leadership and redefining what progress, influence, and impact mean in today’s world,” said TIME Chief Executive Officer Jessica Sibley. “Together with our incredible partners, we look forward to bringing this influential group of visionaries together at our event in October.”
On October 30, TIME will host its fifth annual TIME100 Next event in New York City to honor the rising stars featured on the 2025 list. The celebration will include a special musical performance by Tate McRae, as well as the presentation of the TIME Earth Award to Ayana Elizabeth Johnson. Attendees can also expect inspiring remarks from honorees such as Jonathan Bailey, Nomzamo Mbatha, and others.
For the full list of TIME100 Next honorees, visit TIME.com.
