Megan Moroney Skips 9 ACM Nominations for Best Friend's Wedding

Some priorities just beat out awards season—and country music’s newest superstar proved it on Sunday, May 17.

Megan Moroney, 28, was supposed to be in Las Vegas at the 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards, racking up potential wins across her nine nominations, including Entertainer of the Year and Female Artist of the Year. Instead, she was out of the country serving as maid of honor at her best friend’s wedding. And honestly? That’s the kind of move that earns respect in any industry.

Moroney posted the news via Instagram Story, writing,“I’m so honored to be nominated tonight at @ACMAwards&I’m rooting on all my friends from afar! I’m out of the country this week on MOH duty to get my bestie married @Inatalieking.”The bestie in question is Natalie King—the same friend who inspired her 2021 song“Wonder.”Instead of a designer gown and red carpet moments, Moroney shared a photo of herself in loungewear, preparing for what mattered more: standing by her closest friend on one of life’s biggest days.

The ACM Awards didn’t let her absence go unnoticed. Host Shania Twain acknowledged the missing nominee and brought Moroney into the show virtually with a pre-taped message.“Country music has the power to bring people together, to help people improve and heal lives, so it’s only right that ACM Lifting Lives supports great causes like St. Jude Children’s Hospital,”Twain said before introducing Moroney’s video segment. In the clip, Moroney wore a St. Jude Music Gives T-shirt and encouraged viewers to support the hospital’s mission to beat childhood cancer, proving she found a way to show up for the cause even from afar.

There’s something refreshing about an artist at the height of her career choosing friendship over a night of potential accolades. Moroney will have plenty of time to celebrate her music milestone—she’s got 17 days until opening night of The Cloud 9 Tour, which kicks off May 29 in Columbus.