Lainey Wilson was among the performers and nominees on Thursday night (March 26) during the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards. Along with receiving nods for Country Artist of the Year and Favorite Tour Tradition, the Louisiana-born star, 33, delivered a medley of some of her biggest hits and fan favorite tracks.
The three-song set — in order — included “Wild Flowers and Wild Horses,” “Hang Tight Honey,” and “Heart Like a Truck.” During the second song, which belongs on her 2024 Whirlwind album, Wilson surprised fans, removing her signature cowboy hat and flaunting her entire head of sandy blonde hair for all to see.
As she does with wearing bell-bottoms, Wilson usually performs with her head covered up, so the moment served as a rare treat for the audience and viewers watching the live broadcast. For her performance, Wilson paired her long tresses with a black-and-white lacy pair of bell-bottoms and a matching halter top. She also accessorized her look with sheer arm-length gloves.
The moment came after Wilson treated fans to “Wild Flowers and Wild Horses,” which saw her delivering the tune in a Stetson while appearing from behind the microphone, in black-and-white film. After “Hang Tight Honey,” she closed out her medley with her 2022 release of “Heart Like a Truck,” which appears on her third studio album, Bell Bottom Country.
Lainey Wilson Also Had a Full-Circle Moment
Aside from her major performance, Wilson also served as a presenter for the night. She was on hand to announce Miley Cyrus as the recipient of the iHeartRadio Innovator Award. The moment was extra special as it brought Wilson full circle. Before finding fame, she booked shows as a Hannah Montana impersonator.
“Miley Cyrus is what happens when fearlessness meets evolution. She didn’t just grow up in front of the world: She redefined herself in front of it over and over and then over again …,” Wilson told the audience. “… From breaking out of a box that people tried to put her in, to pushing boundaries in sound and style, in storytelling. She keeps taking risks that most artists would not dare to take…. (and that) move culture forward. Miley reminds us that artistry is not about staying comfortable. It is about staying honest. That is what you call innovation, folks. And that is Miley Cyrus.”
Related: Beloved Country Star Forced to Cancel Entire Overseas Tour: ‘Just Isn’t Possible’
This story was originally published by Parade on Mar 29, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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