Las Vegas officially transformed into the epicenter of country music this past week, and while Sin City was packed with the genre’s biggest heavyweights, breakout singer-songwriter Willow Avalon effortlessly stole the spotlight with her signature blend of retro charm, razor-sharp wit, and modern Southern swagger.
Fresh off an electric debut set at Stagecoach, the Georgia-born, Nashville-based rising star kicked off her whirlwind 2026 ACM Awards week by celebrating at ACM Next Wave: Country’s Beach Bash at Mandalay Bay Beach.
The star-studded Saturday event — headlined by Keith Urban and featuring surprise guests Little Big Town — proudly showcased Willow alongside her fellow Opry NextStage Class of 2026 peers. But the true crown jewel of her weekend came when she hit the ACM red carpet ahead of Sunday’s big broadcast hosted by Shania Twain, bringing an infectious, flirty energy that proved exactly why she is country music’s next big thing.
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Walking the red carpet alongside country music’s biggest names, Willow looked like an absolute vision in a lace-and-floral gown that exuded vintage elegance. But in true, down-to-earth country fashion, Willow’s high-fashion look didn’t come with a Hollywood price tag.
“I got this from the Goodwill. I did,” Willow revealed exclusively to Celeb Secrets Country, shocking us with her thrifting savvy.
“I’m an avid thrifter. I’ve had this for, like, two years, and I think somebody got married in this, ’cause it is a wedding dress,” she continued. “I used to work for Anthropologie when I was a teenager… and I did a lot of finger spacing of, like, the bridal stuff. But yeah, I found this and it was $11 and it’s all I had, so… it’s what we’re wearing!”
Beyond her standout style, Willow was most looking forward to cheering on her peers during the star-studded broadcast. “I’ve said it this whole night, but I’m so excited for the girls,” she gushed. “It’s one of the most incredible lineups of female, you know, nominations that I’ve ever seen. And I’m just so proud.”
When pressed on who her dream collaboration would be inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena, her answer was instantaneous: Lainey Wilson. “I met her one time at a festival we were playing, and she could not have been kinder,” Willow shared. “I just, I love her voice, and I love her story.”
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that Willow has been absolutely crushing it this past year following her critically acclaimed January 2025 debut album, Southern Belle Raisin’ Hell. Now, as a proud member of the Opry NextStage Class of 2026, she shared the stage at the Beach Bash with fellow classmates Graham Barham, Tyler Braden, Alexandra Kay, Vincent Mason, Emily Ann Roberts, and Hudson Westbrook.
Reflecting on her inclusion in the prestigious program, Willow admitted she was hilariously shocked that the Grand Ole Opry welcomed her back after her initial debut performance last year.
“It’s crazy. Like, I am so shocked they invited me back,” Willow joked in her signature witty style. “My family’s insane, and all my big-haired, crazy family came into the Opry for my debut. And they were, like, not supposed to be backstage, but they were in everybody’s green room just knocking on doors, getting in there. So I was sure they wouldn’t let me back, and then they asked me to do this. I’m just like… in awe.”
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Fans won’t have to wait long for new music to obsess over. Willow just dropped her brand-new single “Hypothetically Speaking” featuring Kaitlin Butts accompanied by a killer new music video this past Friday (May 15), describing the fiery track perfectly: “Hell hath no fury like two big haired southern women.”
The track serves as a sweeping shift toward a vintage, ’60s country aesthetic — a specific sonic landscape Willow has been itching to bring to life for years on her upcoming album, Pink Pocket Pistol, dropping June 26 via Atlantic Outpost/Assemble Sound. The project follows her recent star-powered collaborations, including “Cardinal Sin” featuring Jason Isbell.
But the creative process behind the record wasn’t just efficient (she casually cut a staggering 34 tracks in just two weeks); it was also incredibly intimate. When asked if she could share any juicy, behind-the-scenes secrets from her time in the studio, Willow lit up, revealing that the magic of the album came from keeping things raw, live, and close to the heart.
“It was pretty much all done live,” Willow told Celeb Secrets. “So it’s very raw, but it sounds beautifully processed. And because my boyfriend is actually my guitar player, there was a whole bunch of smooching happening in between takes! There was just a whole lot of love put into this record.”
That palpable chemistry and old-school recording style promise to give Pink Pocket Pistol a rare, organic warmth. For Willow, this upcoming chapter is all about stripping away the filters and letting her true heritage shine.
“I think that my love of storytelling comes from generations of people in my family who are also musicians and storytellers,” she explained. “I would tell listeners to really lean into the words and the stories, because I’ll tell a tale in its full, 100% nitty-gritty, open, and honest truth. I’m not scared of nothing, so take a listen.”
If you want to experience Willow’s electric energy and powerhouse vocals live, you are in luck. Following a massive North American headline tour announcement, Willow is hitting the road this summer and fall with major stops at New York’s Webster Hall, Los Angeles’ The Fonda, and Toronto’s Phoenix Theatre. She will also be supporting country legends Brooks & Dunn later this month and performing at CMA Fest, including a coveted set at Nissan Stadium.
For more on Willow Avalon’s new album, make sure to watch our full interview from the 2026 ACM Awards red carpet below:
For more coverage from the 2026 ACM Awards, click here.
