Lainey Wilson Once Opened Up about Her Childhood Crush despite Being Private

Lainey Wilson's music has shown that the country vocalist knows a thing or two about love. She kept her own romantic life private for the most part, but when she spoke of her childhood crush, Wilson revealed the source of a significant heartbreak that influenced her songwriting.

Lainey Wilson grew up with a passion for country music, having been exposed to country giants, including Hank Williams, Glen Campbell, Lynyrd Skynrd, and Buck Owens. The Louisiana native was born to a hardworking farmer and a teacher who raised her in the small town of Baskin.

After graduating high school, she began pursuing a professional music career. Wilson credited her work ethic to her upbringing and the environment in which she was raised because it taught her that "nothing comes easy."

Lainey Wilson is photographed as she performs during the Wonderfront Music & Arts festival at Seaport Villiage on November 18, 2022, in San Diego, California | Source: Getty Images

Her breakthrough song, "Things a Man Oughta Know," included in her first studio album, "Sayin’ What I'm Thinkin'," not only became a smash hit; it was also the undoing of one marriage and the redemption of another.

Wilson received much recognition, securing six Country Music Association awards nominations this year alone. Although her powerful songwriting sparked much introspection among her fans, what they might not know is that her lyrics also attested to her own experience with heartbreak.

Lainey Wilson poses in the press room during The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 9, 2022, in Nashville, Tennessee | Source: Getty Images

She Talked about Her Childhood Crush

Wilson was once faced with a choice between love and a promising career. It was a difficult decision because her boyfriend, at the time, had been a childhood crush and her high school sweetheart. But her love for music outweighed everything else.

During a February 2021 interview with People, Wilson reflected on her seven-year relationship with her childhood crush, whom she did not name. The pair began as friends who grew closer over time and bonded over shared experiences, as Wilson recalled:

"We grew up together. He was my best friend. We saw each other through a lot of different phases in our life. But I knew I would have to leave something behind, so I could try to do the [expletive] thing in Nashville."

Lainey Wilson poses at the 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 9, 2022, in Nashville, Tennessee | Source: Getty Images

Still, it broke her heart to leave him behind because she felt he was "the only thing" she'd ever known. Apart from her music, that interview was the only glimpse Wilson shared about her romantic life. It remains to be known if she's currently dating anyone, as her social media pages are mainly dedicated to tour and music updates.

Wilson may have chosen country stardom over love, but she's reaping the fruits of her hard work. After "Sayin' What I'm Thinkin'," released last year in February, the songwriter felt her debut album truly set the foundation for her identity and growth in the industry. Wilson felt proud of herself, as she explained:

"I am just completely humbled and excited and proud, because girl, we have worked on this thing for years. This album is certainly setting the foundation of who I am and what I stand for and what I want to say and how I want to say it."

She started writing songs at nine, singing about cigarettes and alcohol. While Wilson had never been exposed to those substances that not even her parents indulged in, it was the dominant subject of most country music.

She assumed it was all there was to write about, and it's an irony she found humorous now as an adult. Toward the beginning of her 20s, she was digging deeper into her personal experiences and putting them on record as she reflected:

"And when it comes to my songwriting, I feel like it's easier for me to just lay it all out there and let the walls down completely. I mean, it can be extremely scary to be so vulnerable and real, but that's just me. I always just tell it like it is."

Wilson also shared her belief that each person who entered her life carried a lesson for her. Their presence brought opportunities for growth, whether they stayed for a "season" or a much longer period.

Perhaps alluding to her relationship with her childhood crush and other significant relationships in her life, Wilson remarked that when a person stuck around for a long time, she learned "a heck of a lot." Still, despite that separation wound, she felt she was right where she belonged.

Lainey Got Messages That Her Song Ruined and Saved Marriages

Earlier this year, Wilson received a message from a man who claimed her song "Things a Man Oughta Know" had ruined his marriage. She revealed the incident on the red carpet of this year's Billboard Music Awards, also attended by Doja Cat and Elle King – Rob Schneider and London King's daughter.

While Wilson never intended to end any couple's marriage with her smash hit track, she didn't accept the misplaced blame imposed on her. In fact, Wilson was happy for the woman who divorced the said man, remarking that the separation was likely bound to happen.

Lainey Wilson poses for a photo at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 15, 2022, in Las Vegas, Nevada | Source: Getty Images

For others, the song triggered some overdue introspection, with men realizing how they got it "wrong" in their own relationships and wishing they'd heard it sooner. However, on the brighter side, a woman shared a positive testament to the song's influence.

She and her husband were edging toward divorce when she heard "Things a Man Oughta Know" and sent it to him. The said husband took the song's message to heart and decided to fix his marriage. Afterward, Wilson said the couple hadn't been happier.

Although "Things a Man Oughta Know" seemingly spoke to the hearts of men, as its influence clearly showed, Wilson said it wasn't only for them. During her acceptance speech after winning Song Of The Year at the Academy of Country Music awards, she said it was for all those who cared about the golden rule: treating people right.

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