“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.
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Kelsea Ballerini
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LeAnn Rimes
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Megan Moroney & Kenny Chesney
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Pamela Anderson Breaks Silence on Liam Neeson Romance
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Lainey Wilson
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Hayley Stommel & Tyler Hubbard
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Morgan Stapleton & Chris Stapleton
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Billy Ray Cyrus & Elizabeth Hurley
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Shaboozey
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Old Dominion
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Nicole Hocking & Luke Combs
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Ella Langley
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Steve Martin
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Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman, Karen Fairchild & Jimi Westbrook of Little Big Town
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Russell Dickerson & Kailey Dickerson
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Brett Young & Taylor Mills
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The War and Treaty’s Michael Trotter Jr. & Tanya Trotter
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Shay Mooney, Hannah Mooney, Dan Smyers & Abby Smyers
Disney/Michael La Brecht
Haley Kalil
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Mark Collie, Billy Bob Thornton and Carter Faith
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Bigxthaplug
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Cam Arnold & Lauren Alaina
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Bailey Zimmerman
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Ne-Yo
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Grace Van Patten
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Cody Johnson
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Riley Green
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Morgan Evans & Laci Kaye Booth
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Chris O’Donnell
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Arielle Kebbel
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changes on his High and Alive tour.
