Lainey Wilson is deeply in love with her boyfriend, Devlin “Duck” Hodges. The former NFL player, who has since transitioned into real estate, has been a steadfast supporter of Wilson as she navigates her rise in the country music scene.
The couple began their relationship in 2021 but kept it private until two years later, when Hodges accompanied Wilson to the ACM Awards in May 2023. Their public debut on the red carpet quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of the evening.
In an interview with host Bobby Bones, Wilson described Hodges as “a good dude” who has been “around for a while.”
She emphasized his unwavering support, stating, “But I’ll tell you, he is good as gold. Supports me, would never come in between anything that I’m trying to do.”
The couple began dating in 2021 after meeting through mutual friends in Nashville. In an exclusive interview, Wilson recounted their first date at a dance hall and saloon known for its affordable drinks and live music.
“We went to this old place called Silverados, and it had free beer and wine from 5 to 10 p.m.,” she said. “I was like, ‘This boy likes to ball on a budget too. This is gonna work out.’”
They hit it off immediately and have been together ever since, though they kept their relationship private for over two years. “I said, ‘We gonna see if you’re in it for the right reasons,’” Wilson told about their decision to keep the romance under wraps.
“Turns out, he is,” she added, noting that it “feels really good to talk about it.”
He and Wilson Made Their Red Carpet Debut in 2023
The couple confirmed their relationship when they walked the red carpet at the 58th ACM Awards hand in hand. Wilson was nominated in six categories that night, winning four.
Wilson dazzled in an all-green outfit, complete with a cape, her signature bell bottoms, chunky jewelry, and a green-brimmed hat. Hodges complemented her look in a blue suit, bolo tie, and cream cowboy hat.
The couple posed for photos, showing their affection. A representative for Wilson confirmed that they were indeed dating.
Speculation about their romance had sparked weeks earlier when Wilson was seen wearing Hodges’ Steelers jersey during a performance in Pittsburgh. Observant fans quickly informed the former Steelers quarterback of Wilson’s outfit on social media, which he eagerly acknowledged.
“Did she really?!?! Y’all are lying!!!! @laineywilson holla at me!!! ” he wrote on Twitter (now known as X), responding to a fan who tweeted about Wilson’s concert attire.
“This is me hollerin,” Wilson replied, and Hodges responded, “OH.MY.GOD hello.”
He is Very Close with Wilson’s Friends
Hodges has earned the approval of Wilson’s friends! Speaking about their relationship, the “Heart Like a Truck” singer joked that Hodges has been slowly “stealing all my buddies,” including her fellow country artists like Cole Swindell and HARDY.
“Somebody said how funny it was watching him high-five all of my artist friends at the ACMs, and I said, ‘Those are his friends!’” Wilson shared, following their red carpet debut in May.
“He’ll FaceTime me, and he’ll be with HARDY and Morgan [Wallen] and Luke [Combs], and I’m like, ‘Stop stealing all my buddies,’” she continued. “They’ll always be out golfing and drinking a beer.”
On a serious note, Wilson expressed her gratitude for how well Hodges gets along with her friends. “I don’t have to convince anybody to like him. He’s a very lovable person,” she added.
That night, Wilson won the award for Entertainer of the Year. Before stepping on stage to accept her award, she kissed Hodges, who was beaming with pride.
“This is all I’ve ever wanted. It finally feels like country music is starting to love me back,” she said, fighting back tears during her acceptance speech. Wilson briefly acknowledged Hodges, saying, “I love you, Duck.”
In April 2024, the couple also attended the CMT Awards in Austin, Texas, where Wilson won the award for Female Video of the Year.