Thomas Rhett Delivers Heartwarming Tribute To 'Beautiful' Wife Lauren Akins

Thomas Rhett debuted “Beautiful As You” on the 59th ACM Awards stage on Thursday evening (May 16) as he ushers in his next era of music.

The hit-making singer-songwriter released “Beautiful As You” earlier this month. The anthem serves as a tribute to those who have scored the romantic jackpot, inspired, of course, by his wife, Lauren Akins. The couple met growing up and ultimately tied the knot on October 12, 2012. They’ve since welcomed four daughters: Willa Gray (8), Ada James (6), Lennon Love (4), and Lillie Carolina (2).

“This is an anthem for everybody who feels like they out-kicked their coverage,” Rhett said with a laugh as he spoke about the Julian Bunetta-produced song. “There was one day a couple years back when I was looking at my wife, and I was like, ‘Why in the world did you choose me?’ I get to be with someone who could easily be on the cover of a magazine, and I get to see her in all her forms – a partner, a mother, a friend, even a philanthropist. I just feel like I’ve got a first row seat at almost-perfection, if you will. And like the song says, ‘Seriously, what is somebody as amazing as you doing with somebody like me?’

“Lauren and I are just in a different phase of life than we have been for awhile,” explained the award-winning artist and father of four. “Now it’s a little easier to go on date nights, do stuff with friends, stay up a little bit later – I don’t know, maybe even sleep in a little bit! So much of my music is a reflection of the stage of life we are in - we’re in a very joyful season - and this song is just the tip of the iceberg to the rest of this next album.”

Rhett released “Beautiful As You” earlier this month. He said he’s “absolutely stoked to kick off this new chapter… my favorite music yet.” Though there’s been some anticipation among longtime fans for Country Again: Side B, it wasn’t immediately clear whether that’s the next album Rhett will release this year. Most recently, he released a collection of 20 Number Ones in September 2023, reflecting on his most memorable career-spanning hits. Before that, he released Where We Started in 2022.

Other artists who performed throughout the night included Jason Aldean (who will deliver a tribute to late country star Toby Keith), Post Malone, Parker McCollum, Kelsea Ballerini and Noah Kahan; husband-and-wife duo Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani; Kane Brown, Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Thomas Rhett, Chris Stapleton, and Lainey Wilson. Reba McEntire, who returned to host the show for her 17th time, also took the stage with her new single, “I Can’t.”

Rhett’s seventh studio album is set to release on August 23.