Best Couple Moments at the ACM Awards Through the Years
While the ACM Awards is a night to celebrate the powerhouses and rising stars of country music, we can’t help but also be glued to the night’s red carpet. After all, the night wouldn’t be complete without it!
And, in the middle of ballgowns and crisp suits, we’re hoping to also see some cute couple moments from our favorite country music duos. From Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman to Kane Brown and Katelyn Jae, some of our favorite couples could be having a PDA-filled date night at the ACM Awards this Thursday night.
So, in celebration of those couple moments we’ve loved in the past, we’ve taken a stroll down memory lane to see all the best couple moments in ACM Award history. From former couples like Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton to Cole Swindell and Courtney Little celebrating their engagement in 2023, check them all out below!
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Gabby Barrett & Cade Foehner
One of country music’s sweetest couples Gabby Barrett and Cade Foehner weren’t afraid of PDA at the 2023 ACM Awards and shared a sweet smooch on the carpet.
Cole Swindell & Courtney Little
Cole Swindell and Courtney Little, who got engaged the week before the 2023 ACM Awards, were adorable together on the carpet. In addition to some smooches here and there, Little made sure to show off her brand new engagement ring.
Mitchell Tenpenny & Meghan Patrick
Mitchell Tenpenny gave his wife Meghan Patrick a sweet cute on the cheek on the 2023 ACM Award red carpet. How cute!
Kane & Katelyn Jae Brown
Kane Brown and his wife Katelyn Jae looked like the most stylish pair at the 2022 ACM Awards as they shared a sweet kiss on the cheek on the carpet. Kane wore a pinstripe suit while Katelyn wowed in this figure-hugging black dress with a matching floral necklace.
Alexis Gale & Jimmie Allen
Alexis Gale and Jimmie Allen looked so in love at the 2022 ACM Awards and even kissed for the cameras.
Less than a year later, in April 2023, the couple announced their separation while she was still pregnant with their third child together. In the announcement, Allen revealed he was expecting a child with another woman.
“As we navigate this life change, we can also share that we will be welcoming another child together later this year,” Allen wrote in a statement at the time. “Our number one priority is and always will be ensuring that our children are healthy, happy and loved, and we remain committed to co-parenting with love and respect for one another.” The pair had been married since 2021.
HARDY & Caleigh Ryan
Despite getting engaged in August 2021, HARDY’s then-fiancée Caleigh Ryan showed off her engagement ring at the 2022 ACM Awards. The two got married later than year in October.
Maren Morris & Ryan Hurd
In another picture-perfect moment from a former couple, country star Maren Morris couldn’t keep her eyes off ex-husband Ryan Hurd at the 2022 ACM Awards.
The pair, who had been together since 2015 and married since 2018, went their separate way in October 2023.
Brantley Gilbert & Amber Cochran
A few months before welcoming their second child, Braylen, in September, Brantley Gilbert and Amber Cochran were already proud parents at the 2019 ACM Awards. While posing for photos, Gilbert often put his hand over Cochran’s baby bump.
Fast forward a few years, the couple announced their third pregnancy during Mother’s Day earlier this week. “How’s this for a Mother’s Day?” the joint Instagram post read in the caption.
Big Kenny & Christiev Carothers
Big Kenny was all about his wife Christiev Carothers at the 2019 ACM Awards. Looking at her colorful look and dual-colored pants, we totally get why.
Devin Dawson & Leah Sykes
Less than a month after their engagement, Devin Dawson and Leah Sykes were all smiles showing off her ring at the 2019 ACM Awards.
The pair got married later that year in October. Most recently, the musicians announced they’re expecting their first baby together, due in July. “This has been the hardest secret to keep but… we couldn’t be more excited to share that we will be welcoming our baby GIRL this July! ??” they wrote on Instagram.
Nicole Kidman & Keith Urban
A look back at country music couples would be incomplete without Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban. At the 2019 ACM Awards, the PDA-filled pair took a moment for themselves as they rested their foreheads on one another. Thousands of cameras? No problem!
Eric & Jessie James Decker
Speaking of our favorite country music couples, Eric Decker and Jessie James Decker has major heart eyes looking at each other at the 2019 ACM Awards.
Miranda Lambert & Brendan McLoughlin
Miranda Lambert also had a supportive partner by her side at the 2019 ACM Awards as they posed with her husband Brendan McLoughlin.
Michael Ray & Carly Pearce
In another showing-off-my-engagement-ring moment, Carly Pearce couldn’t help but show off her new jewelry alongside her then-fiancé Michael Ray at the 2019 ACM Awards.
The pair eventually got married in the fall of 2019 but called things off just eight months later.
Cody Alan & Michael Trea
CMT host Cody Alan walked hand in hand with his fiancé Michael Trea at the 2018 ACM Awards. So cute!
Marielle Jaffe & TK McKamy
Also at the 2018 Awards, Marielle Jaffe and TK McKamy announced they were expecting their first baby together by bringing an ultrasound to the carpet.
Since then, the pair, who have been married since 2016, have welcomed two kids together.
Alex Hopkins & Lauren Alaina
Lauren Alaina made her ex Alex Hopkins blush at the 2018 ACM Awards when she gave him a big ol’ kiss on the cheek.
Alaina and Hopkins were engaged between July 2018 to January 2019 before calling it quits after six years together.
Nicole Kidman & Keith Urban
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban shared another sweet moment at the 2017 ACM Awards as the Oscar winner whispered in the singer’s ear. We’re so curious to know what they were talking about!
Ruston Kelly & Kacey Musgraves
Also in 2017, country stars Ruston Kelly and Kacey Musgraves were all smiles on the red carpet.
The former couple, who got engaged on Christmas Eve 2016 and tied the knot in October 2017, called it quits in 2020 roughly two years into their marriage.
Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
Shifting gears to a couple who’s still together, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill held hands all throughout the 2017 ACM Awards. One of our favorites!
Michael Caussin & Jana Kramer
Michael Caussin and Jana Kramer got steamy at the 2016 ACM Awards sharing a kiss.
The former couple, who had been married since 2015, split for good in April 2021 after nearly six years.
Eric & Jesse James Decker
Eric Decker looked so proud of his wife Jesse James Decker at the 2015 ACM Awards as he caressed her baby bump. At the time, she was pregnant with their first son, Eric “Bubby” Thomas Decker II.
Since then, the parents of four have also welcomed sons Forrest, in 2018, and Denver, in 2024. They also are parents to 10-year-old Vivianne.
Eddie Cibrian & LeAnn Rimes
Eddie Cibrian showed just how enamored he was with his soon-to-be wife LeAnn Rimes at the 2010 ACM Awards.
The couple, who had quite a tumultuous start to their relationship, have been married since 2011.
Chuck Wicks & Julianne Hough
In a couple you might’ve forgotten even dated, Chuck Wicks and Julianne Hough were all over each other at the 2009 ACM Awards. The two dated for a year before splitting in November 2009.
Jennifer Love Hewitt & Jamie Kennedy
Speaking of long-forgotten couples, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Jamie Kennedy shared this sweet color-coordinating moment at the 2009 ACM Awards. The pair dated for a year before splitting in 2010.
Miranda Lambert & Blake Shelton
At the 2008 ACM Awards, exes Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton looked so happy together as they posed for pictures. The former couple, however, who ruled country music together, broke up a few years later in 2015.
Since then Shelton remarried to fellow singer Gwen Stefani while Lambert tied the knot with Brendan McLoughlin in 2019.