Overview

• Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland was absent from the 2025 ACM Awards due to a sudden illness, with no further details provided about her condition.
• Sugarland, slated to perform in the ACM Awards' early 2000s medley, was replaced by Little Big Town, who performed their 2014 hit 'Girl Crush.'
• Kristian Bush, the other half of Sugarland, attended the event and presented the Duo of the Year award solo to Brooks & Dunn.
• Fans took to social media to express their confusion and send well-wishes to Nettles, who has not commented publicly on her illness.
• The ACM Awards marked a missed milestone in Sugarland's comeback following their recent co-headlining tour with Little Big Town and their 2018 reunion album.