The Real Reason Gabby Barrett And Jimmie Allen Are Already ACM Winners

The 2021 Academy of Country Music Awards haven't even happened yet, but you can count stars Gabby Barrett and Jimmie Allen among the show's winners! It's the first win for each of the two artists, who have been crowned Best New Female and Male Artist (via Variety).

The reveal came in the form of videos showing each artist getting the good news from one of this year's hosts, Keith Urban. ""Oh my gosh. Yay! I'm so happy. Oh my gosh. Thank you so much. I love everybody. I don't really know what to say. This is unbelievable. Thank you so much," Barrett said upon learning of her win (via Facebook).

"This is such an honor. Ever since I came into the country music community, everybody's been absolutely wonderful to me. So thank you so much. It's more than I deserve ... this made the whole year for me," she continued. "As an artist ... when I was younger, I really wanted to be able to get up on the stage, and give my speech, and have people enjoy my music, and all of those things ... I think it definitely opens more doors for you, a hundred percent. It turns people's heads that weren't really turned before."

Jimmie Allen was so shocked when he got the message from Keith Urban that he threw the tablet it was on (via Facebook). He had to watch the message for the second time before believing it was real. He beat out fellow artists Parker McCollum, Travis Denning, Hardy, and Cody Johnson. Barrett took the honor, which she lost last year, over Mickey Guyton, Ingrid Andress, Caylee Hammack, and Tenille Arts (via Entertainment Tonight).

Allen and Barrett will now join 29 other artists who are slated to perform at the ceremony on April 18. The show is live from separate locations including the Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium, and Bluebird Cafe (via Variety).

"We are thrilled to present Jimmie Allen and Gabby Barrett with their first ACM Award wins," Damon Whiteside, CEO of the Academy of Country Music, said in a statement (via People). "Jimmie and Gabby have experienced tremendous success at both country radio and streaming already, and we are proud to recognize them for such an extraordinary start to their careers. A huge congratulations to each of them for this well-deserved win, and to all of our nominees for being recognized for their incredible contributions to country music."