Lainey Wilson Opens Up About Her “Sacred” Relationship With Boyfriend Devlin ‘Duck’ Hodges
on May 10, 2024
In an in-depth discussion with Billboard on May 9, Wilson shared details about her latest career achievements and aspects of her personal life.
On the same day, Lainey Wilson announced her fifth studio album, Whirlwind, on her Instagram, showcasing the album cover and generating excitement among her fans.
The title, Whirlwind, reflects the significant changes and experiences in Wilson’s life and career over the past few years.
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Private Life in the Public Eye
During her recent interview with Billboard, Wilson shared insights into her personal life, including her relationship with Devlin “Duck” Hodges, a former NFL player who has since transitioned into a real estate career.
Dating since 2021, the couple first stepped out together publicly at the ACM Awards in May 2023, followed by a captivating appearance at the 57th annual CMA Awards on November 8, 2023.
Wilson and Hodges have chosen to keep their relationship relatively private, drawing inspiration from Dolly Parton’s long-standing private relationship with her husband, Carl Thomas Dean.
Wilson explained the importance of keeping their relationship sacred and private, stating, “When it comes to mine and Duck’s relationship, there’s going to be some things that we can’t escape, and people are going to say and do whatever, but me and him are on the same page about the less we put out there, the less that we’re going to have to deal with people making anything up and saying anything. We want to keep that as sacred as we possibly can between me and him, and so far, it has worked for us.”
It’s heartening to witness a celebrity remain so grounded, steadfastly upholding their personal values amidst fame.
Wilson credits her grounded nature to her roots, acknowledging the effort required to preserve this quality with her growing fame.
“I have fought tooth and nail to make sure that I am doing the things that make me feel like me, [like] calling my family at home, checking to see how the farm’s going and see if Daddy has planted his crops, [checking in] on my nephews, hanging out with my boyfriend on the porch and those kinds of things.”
Support and Partnership
Wilson spoke about Hodges’ support for her career, highlighting how his encouragement has been vital to her success. In an interview with PEOPLE, she mentioned, “Duck is the kind of dude who high-fives me on the way in the door and on the way out and says, ‘Go get it.’ He knows how important this dream is to me.”
Career Milestones and New Ventures
The announcement of Whirlwind comes after Wilson’s Grammy win for Best Country Album with her fourth record, Bell Bottom Country, in February 2024. The album is described as a personal reflection of Wilson’s life experiences.
In a sweet post on social media, Hodges posted about Wilson’s Grammy win, saying he was “so stinking proud” of her.
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Additionally, Wilson is expanding her entrepreneurial efforts with the opening of ‘Bell Bottoms Up,’ a three-floor dining and entertainment venue in Nashville. Her journey and career developments will also be featured in a Hulu exclusive, Lainey Wilson: Bell Bottom Country, scheduled for broadcast on May 29.
RELATED: Lainey Wilson’s Emotional Journey To Country Stardom Unveiled In New Documentary Trailer
Watch the trailer for her new documentary, Lainey Wilson: Bell Bottom Country, below!
