Riley Green Turns Up the Heat With “Worst Way” at the 2025 CMA Awards
Riley Green brought a surge of energy — and plenty of steam — to the 59th Annual CMA Awards with a live performance of his chart-topping hit “Worst Way.”
The song has been a major milestone for Green. Over the summer, it became his fifth career No. 1 and made history as only the second self-written single since 2012 to hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart. That achievement makes him just the sixth solo artist in the past 20 years to pull it off.
Backstage: Green Reflects on the Moment — And Laughs About the Music Video
Speaking to Country Now backstage, Green said the night was “going to be great,” but laughed when the topic of his ultra-sultry “Worst Way” music video came up.
“It would be hard to top that one… my mom’s gonna watch,”
he joked, referring to the intimate scenes that sent fans into a frenzy earlier this year.
Despite the buzz around the video, Green kept his CMA performance classy — letting the song’s slow-burn intensity do the work.
A Full-Circle Moment for a Lifelong CMA Fan
For Green, performing on the CMA stage was more than another career highlight — it was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.
“You grow up watching these shows… to be nominated and get to perform, it means a lot,”
he shared.
And this year was particularly memorable. Green picked up four nominations, all tied to his powerhouse collaboration with fellow Alabama native Ella Langley:
Single of the Year
Song of the Year
Music Video of the Year
Musical Event of the Year
That morning, the pair had already secured a win for Music Video of the Year with “You Look Like You Love Me.”
Star-Studded Night at the CMA Awards
Hosted by Lainey Wilson, the 59th Annual CMA Awards aired live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, November 19 (8–11 PM ET) on ABC.
The night featured performances from:
Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Lainey Wilson, Luke Combs, Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, Zach Top, Tucker Wetmore, Stephen Wilson Jr., Kelsea Ballerini, Brandi Carlile, Kenny Chesney, Patty Loveless, Old Dominion, The Red Clay Strays, Chris Stapleton, and more.
Collaborative performances included:
Luke Combs & BigXthaPlug
Shaboozey & Stephen Wilson Jr.
Chris Stapleton & Miranda Lambert
Presenters ranged from music legends to Hollywood names, including:
Lady A, Billy Ray Cyrus, Jordan Davis, Elizabeth Hurley, Cody Johnson, Brandon Lake, Steve Martin, LeAnn Rimes, Alan Ritchson, Gretchen Wilson, Bailey Zimmerman, and many others.
The full broadcast is now streaming next day on Hulu.