CMT’s Next Women of Country series has announced its 2025 class, which features Alexandra Kay, Dasha, Kaitlin Butts, Kat Luna, Lanie Gardner, Meghan Patrick, and MŌRIAH. These talented female artists will be highlighted and promoted across all of CMT’s platforms and beyond. The initiative was launched in 2013 by Leslie Fram, and aims to support and promote emerging country artists, while offering them a range of career opportunities and enhanced visibility. The new class was officially introduced on Saturday (March 8) during the CMT Hot 20 Countdown, as Lauren Alaina interviewed each of the new inductees during the special three-hour episode. The show also included segments featuring Alaina – who was in the class of 2014 – revealing to each woman that she is a member of the 2025 class. Although this year’s class is a smaller one, the commitment to celebrating and uplifting female voices in country music remains a priority for CMT, with over 130 women artists having participated in the NWOC program to date. (Billboard)