“SOMETIMES THE STAGE IS THE ONLY PLACE THAT MAKES SENSE AGAIN.” 🎸
Keith Urban returned to the CMA Awards stage in Nashville on Nov. 19 — and the room felt it instantly.
Weeks after fans noticed unexpected lyric shifts on his High and Alive tour, he let the music speak instead.

Joined by host Lainey Wilson, “Where the Blacktop Ends” hit fast, loud, and unapologetic — like a man choosing motion over silence.
No explanations. Just sound.

▶️ Watch the performance in the 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 👇

Keith Urban Returns to the Stage at CMA Awards 2025 After Nicole Kidman Split

Keith Urban performed “Where the Blacktop Ends” at the CMA Awards in Nashville Nov. 19 alongside host Lainey Wilson, weeks after he raised eyebrows with his lyrical

Keith Urban is making memories in front of a new crowd.

Nearly two months after his breakup with Nicole Kidman was confirmed, the country star took center stage at the 2025 Country Music Association Awards to perform before any trophies were handed out.

Sporting an all-black outfit complete with a signature graphic T-shirt, skinny jeans and sneakers, Keith performed his song “Where the Blacktop Ends” alongside host Lainey Wilson.

Before their duet, Lainey—who is nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year—performed a medley of other country classics, including Lady A‘s “Need You Now” and Gretchen Wilson‘s “Redneck Woman.” She also danced alongside Ella Langley as she performed her song “you look like you love me,” which took home the trophy for Single of the Year.

During his performance, Keith—who shares daughters Sunday Rose, 17, and Faith Margaret, 14, with Nicole—sang he was “CMAs-bound” instead of “country-bound,” extending his trend of updating his lyrics during his songs. Indeed, the former American Idol judge turned heads during his Sept. 27 show on his High and Alive tour when he changed a few lyrics in the setlist, including his hit, “The Fighter.”

Instead of singing the original lyrics, “When they’re tryna get to you, baby I’ll be the fighter,” he gave a shoutout to his touring guitarist Maggie Baugh and sang, “When they’re tryna get to you, Maggie, I’ll be your guitar player.”

This deviation raised eyebrows at the time, as Keith previously admitted the single was inspired by his 20-year marriage to the Babygirl actor. Though he didn’t address the subtle lyric change, fellow country singer Alexandra Kay made sure to shut down the rumors that Keith and Maggie are an item.

“I know that’s absolutely not true,” Alexandra told Taste of Country last month. “Honestly, I was heartbroken for them because the media scrutiny is insane and the things that people say… They’re like, stirring up rumors about Maggie Baugh, and I’m like, ‘She’s a good friend of mine.’”

In fact, the “How Do We Go” singer revealed that the guitarist is in a relationship with someone else, emphasizing she has “nothing” to do with Nicole and Keith’s fall out.

“I’ve met her boyfriend,” she continued. “She’s very happy.”

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for CMA

But despite the romance rumors, Keith and Nicole have navigated their divorce by looking forward. Specifically, the Practical Magic star has been embracing the ups and downs of this new chapter.

“The best part is the experiences that you’ve accumulated,” she told Harper’s Bazaar in an interview published Oct. 9. “You go, ‘Oh, I’ve been here before. I actually know how to handle this now.’ Or, ‘Maybe I haven’t been in this place, but I’ve experienced something similar to this, and I do know that I will get through it.’”

She continued, “There’s something to knowing that no matter how painful, or how difficult, or how devastating something is, there is a way through.”

Keep reading to see who else showed up and showed out at the 2025 CMA Awards.

Arroyo-OConnor/AFF-USA/Shutterstock

Kelsea Ballerini

Arroyo-OConnor/AFF-USA/Shutterstock

LeAnn Rimes

Arroyo-OConnor/AFF-USA/Shutterstock

Megan Moroney & Kenny Chesney

by Taboola
Promoted Links

CNA
Born in 1920 and living a medicine-free life at 105. Meet one of S’pore’s oldest seniors

Petit Futé
Que faire à Hong Kong ? Les 15 incontournables à visiter

War Thunder
Play War Thunder now for free

Petit Futé
Que voir, que faire à Cracovie ? 13 visites incontournables

E! News
Pamela Anderson Breaks Silence on Liam Neeson Romance

Arroyo-OConnor/AFF-USA/Shutterstock

Lainey Wilson

Arroyo-OConnor/AFF-USA/Shutterstock

Hayley Stommel & Tyler Hubbard

Arroyo-OConnor/AFF-USA/Shutterstock

Morgan Stapleton & Chris Stapleton

Arroyo-OConnor/AFF-USA/Shutterstock

Billy Ray Cyrus & Elizabeth Hurley

Arroyo-OConnor/AFF-USA/Shutterstock

Shaboozey

Arroyo-OConnor/AFF-USA/Shutterstock

Old Dominion

Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

Nicole Hocking & Luke Combs

Michael Buckner/Billboard via Getty Images

Ella Langley

Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

Steve Martin

Arroyo-OConnor/AFF-USA/Shutterstock

Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman, Karen Fairchild & Jimi Westbrook of Little Big Town

Arroyo-OConnor/AFF-USA/Shutterstock

Russell Dickerson & Kailey Dickerson

Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

Brett Young & Taylor Mills

Arroyo-OConnor/AFF-USA/Shutterstock

The War and Treaty’s Michael Trotter Jr. & Tanya Trotter

Arroyo-OConnor/AFF-USA/Shutterstock

Shay Mooney, Hannah Mooney, Dan Smyers & Abby Smyers

Disney/Michael La Brecht

Haley Kalil

Arroyo-OConnor/AFF-USA/Shutterstock

Mark Collie, Billy Bob Thornton and Carter Faith

Arroyo-OConnor/AFF-USA/Shutterstock

Bigxthaplug

Arroyo-OConnor/AFF-USA/Shutterstock

Cam Arnold & Lauren Alaina

Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

Bailey Zimmerman

Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

Ne-Yo

Arroyo-OConnor/AFF-USA/Shutterstock

Grace Van Patten

Arroyo-OConnor/AFF-USA/Shutterstock

Cody Johnson

Arroyo-OConnor/AFF-USA/Shutterstock

Riley Green

Arroyo-OConnor/AFF-USA/Shutterstock

Morgan Evans & Laci Kaye Booth

Arroyo-OConnor/AFF-USA/Shutterstock

Chris O’Donnell

Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

Arielle Kebbel

Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

changes on his High and Alive tour.