The Academy of Country Music has announced Avery Anna as the winner of its New Female Artist of the Year category.
Anna, who released the EP Forgive, Forget last month, bested Mackenzie Carpenter, Dasha, Caroline Jones and Emily Ann Roberts to take home the trophy.
The singer, who made her debut in 2024 with the album Breakup Over Breakfast, and recently received acclaim for a live cover of Ozzy Osbourne’s No More Tears, received the news of her win after her performance at the Lone Star Smokeout festival in Arlington, Texas.
“I’m just so grateful for this, l’m so honoured,” the Arizona native gushed. “Thank you guys for rallying for me, supporting me and cheering me on.”
Last year’s winner for New Female Artist of the Year is now arguably country music’s biggest star, Ella Langley. The Choosin’ Texas singer scored seven nominations at this year’s ACMs, tying with Lainey Wilson. The 2024 New Female winner, Megan Moroney, is this year’s leading nominee with nine.
The rest of the 2026 ACM Awards gets underway in Las Vegas on Sunday, 17 May, hosted by Shania Twain. The 61st annual ceremony will feature performances by Lainey Wilson, Kacey Musgraves and Miranda Lambert.
The battle for the year’s big prize, Entertainer of the Year, will be contested by nominees Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, Megan Moroney, Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen and Lainey Wilson.
