Miranda Lambert, undeniably one of country music’s biggest female stars, has taken an unexpected but rewarding turn in 2025—opening for Morgan Wallen on his I’m The Problem tour. While Lambert could easily headline arenas and top festival lineups on her own, this year she’s choosing to share the stage with one of the hottest names in the genre, a move that has reinvigorated her as an artist.

Morgan Wallen’s tour is one of the largest and most talked-about in country music, selling out stadiums across the nation and packing multiple shows in each city. With legendary acts like Brooks & Dunn and Miranda Lambert opening, it’s clear the tour is stacked with star power.

However, the announcement of Lambert opening for Wallen was met with some backlash given Wallen’s polarizing status—stemming from both his immense popularity and personal controversies. Lambert addressed the criticism head-on, even poking fun at some of the negative comments she received when the tour was announced.

Despite the mixed reactions, Lambert says she has no regrets. Speaking with Cody Alan on SiriusXM’s Highway Mornings, she reflected on the experience and what she’s learned from being part of Wallen’s tour.

“I’m learning a lot, honestly. I feel like I’m learning about his fan base. It’s kind of people from all walks of life. It’s not necessarily a bunch of country fans, is what I’m seeing from the stage,” Lambert shared. “There’s a certain age group in the middle that may not be as familiar with me. Because I’ve been around forever, but then I see people that are in their 30s and 40s bringing their kids, and they know the songs. So it’s interesting to watch.”

What’s more, watching Wallen perform nightly has re-inspired Lambert. “I watch his show every night and it’s a great show. Morgan is a superstar. He’s sweet and kind and has been great to us,” she said. “Just watching the passion and joy that he exudes on stage, it re-inspires me. I love how the fans are just so in it, and they sing every word to the record that just came out.”

“It gives you life as an artist to know that people are diving right into your new music and wanting to sing it and wanting to be there and show up,” Lambert added. “I’ve been watching from the front where I can really see the show.”

The collaboration between Morgan and Miranda is not new—they co-wrote his #1 hit “Thought You Should Know” in 2022 and have performed it together on stage. Recently, Lambert joined Wallen during the I’m The Problem tour to perform a duet of his hit “Cowgirls,” a fitting moment for the country star known affectionately as a “cowgirl” herself.

Lambert’s choice to open for Wallen reflects her confidence and openness to growth, and fans are witnessing a seasoned artist who’s energized by new audiences and experiences. As the tour continues to draw massive crowds, Miranda Lambert proves that even the biggest stars find inspiration in unexpected places—and that sharing the stage can breathe fresh life into a storied career.