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‘He Made Me Wait’: Why Lainey Wilson Isn’t in a Hurry to Say ‘I Do’
Lainey Wilson might be the queen of country charts and bell-bottom glam, but when it comes to her upcoming wedding to former NFL quarterback Devlin “Duck” Hodges, she’s not in a hurry to dance down the aisle.
“He made me wait for four years. I’m gonna make him wait before we start planning this thing,” Wilson jokingly said in a recent Country Living interview.
The two got engaged in February 2025, after years of keeping their relationship mostly under the radar. Hodges, known for his game as a Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, has been Lainey’s No. 1 supporter, and apparently, her partner in patience.
“I love you @laineywilson. Your love for what you do and your love for people is so inspiring and I’m thankful to have someone in my life like you,” he said, sharing a recent picture of the two on Instagram. “You truly are my best friend and YOU ARE SO DESERVING of everything that comes your way. All good things come from God. And to all my friends I’ve made in the music industry, I love y’all.”
But don’t take the delay as hesitation. For Wilson, it’s about intention, not procrastination. “We hadn’t really covered any ground on it just yet, but we’re taking our time and it’s gonna be right and it’s gonna be beautiful and, you know, what it’s supposed to be about.”
Lainey Wilson: From Rodeo Bars to Grammy Stage
If you’ve turned on country radio in the last two years, odds are you’ve heard Wilson’s voice. The Louisiana native has skyrocketed from small-town gigs to nationwide stardom with hits like “Heart Like a Truck” and “Watermelon Moonshine.” In 2024, she took home a Grammy and cemented her place among Nashville’s elite, becoming a star in the genre.
Beyond her musical chops, she’s also dabbled in Hollywood. Wilson made her acting debut in “Yellowstone” Season 5, playing Abby, a role not far from her real-life self. But she’s switching things up with her first major movie role in “Reminders of Him,” based on the Colleen Hoover novel. In the film, set to release in 2026, Wilson stars opposite Lauren Graham and Bradley Whitford.
“For the very first time, I’m playing a character that’s not a musician,” she told Country Living. “This gave me an opportunity to step into a pair of shoes and act from a different point of view. It was fun. It just gave me a creative outlet and I really enjoyed it and we’ll see what else happens, but I can see myself doing more of it for sure.”
From Musical Stage to Wedding Stage
Between a sprawling tour schedule and upcoming music releases, including a deluxe edition of “Whirlwind” set for August, Wilson’s calendar is tighter than her bell-bottoms.
“We’ve got a deluxe coming [in August], but other than that, I’m working on the next full thing too.”
She continued, “I always got those creative wheels turning, and that’s the way I like it. I like to stay creative because I feel like when I’m not, I’m just not myself.”
Still, fans can’t help but speculate when wedding bells might finally ring. Hodges made the proposal extra special, popping the question during a private moment that, in true country fashion, involved family, candles, and a whole lot of heart. The former football player proposed in front of George Jones’ former home in Franklin, Tennessee. Sharing a video and photos of them both, Wilson wrote in her exciting post, “4x4xU forever.”
For now, Wilson is focused on music, the movie, and soaking up the moments of engaged life, without rushing toward the altar. And honestly, who can blame her?
After all, good things take time. And if there’s one thing we know about Lainey Wilson, it’s that she knows how to let things simmer just right.
