CMT just unveiled the latest group of rising stars selected for its prestigious CMT Next Women of Country (NWOC) franchise, and this year’s lineup is packed with serious talent.
The Class of 2025 includes:
- Alexandra Kay
- Dasha
- Kaitlin Butts
- Kat Luna
- Lanie Gardner
- Meghan Patrick
- MōRIAH
These seven artists got the surprise of a lifetime when Lauren Alaina personally delivered the news at CMT Studios. Not only did she drop the exciting announcement, but she also sat down with each artist to talk about their musical journeys. Those exclusive interviews will air as part of CMT’s three-hour Hot 20 Countdown special, premiering March 8 and March 9 at 8 AM CT.
Leading up to the special, CMT is making sure these talented women get the spotlight they deserve. Expect to see a full rotation of female-powered music videos and the big reveal featured on the Paramount NYC Times Square Billboard. The celebration continues with promos running all week long.
But the recognition doesn’t stop there. Over the next year, the 2025 CMT NWOC class will receive major cross-brand support, including airplay on CMT, CMT Music, PlutoTV’s ‘CMT Equal Play’ channel, and the flagship series CMT Hot 20 Countdown.
Earlier this morning, both Billboard and Cody Alan on SiriusXM’s The Highway (channel 56) exclusively broke the news, building even more buzz for this year’s impressive class.
CMT launched its Next Women of Country initiative in 2013 to champion female voices in a genre where women often struggle for equal airplay and recognition. Over the years, it’s helped launch the careers of some of country’s biggest names, including Kelsea Ballerini, Maren Morris, Carly Pearce, and Lainey Wilson. If history is any indication, these seven artists are well on their way to making a serious impact in country music.
Keep an eye on this year’s class, there’s no doubt they’re about to take off!
