Entertainment Music Country Miranda Lambert Crowned Entertainer of the Year at 2022 ACM Awards: 'I've Been Waiting for This' "This is my first time missing the ACMs in 17 years," the country star, who's working overseas, told the crowd via video By Rachel DeSantis and Brianne Tracy Brianne Tracy Instagram Twitter Brianne Tracy is a staff writer on the PEOPLE music team. She has been with the brand since starting as an intern nearly six years ago, covering all things entertainment across print and digital platforms. She earned her Bachelors in Broadcast Journalism at the University of Southern California and has been seen on Good Morning America. People Editorial Guidelines Published on March 7, 2022 10:30 PM Share Tweet Pin Email The 2022 ACM Awards' biggest prize of the night goes to Miranda Lambert! The country singer, 38, was named entertainer of the year at the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards Monday night, but as host Dolly Parton explained, "Unfortunately, Miranda couldn't be here tonight because she's working overseas." Accepting the award over video from London, where she's headlining Country 2 Country on Friday, Lambert said, "Oh my gosh, I cannot believe I'm not there to celebrate." "This is my first time missing the ACMs in 17 years," she said. "My heart is a little broken, but I'm happy to be where I am. I've been waiting for this for a really, really long time. I actually never thought it would happen. But thank you so much to the country music family for embracing me all these years and continuing to support me." Lambert then thanked the ACMs and her manager before concluding her speech with, "This one goes out to all the singer-songwriter girls out there that put their blood, sweat and tears into their guitar strings. We did it! This is for us!" For more on the 2022 ACM Awards, listen below to our daily podcast on PEOPLE Every Day. Lambertbeat out Eric Church, Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton and Carrie Underwood for the win. Check out PEOPLE's full ACM Awards coverage to get the latest news on one of country music's biggest nights. Miranda Lambert. Prime Video With entertainer of the year now under her belt, Lambert — who went into the night with five nods — has now earned the Triple Crown Award. The coveted title means she's won new female artist, female artist of the year and entertainer of the year. Chris Young, Miranda Lambert and More Lead the Pack for 2022 ACM Awards Nominations This was Lambert's sixth time being nominated for entertainer of the year, and her nomination for female artist of the year was her record-tying 16th (she shares the honor with Reba McEntire). She released The Marfa Tapes — which was nominated for album of the year — last May. It's a collaborative album with Jack Ingram and Jon Randall that was also nominated for a best country album Grammy. "I just feel you can let your guard down out here a little bit," she explained in a documentary trailer of making the album in scenic Marfa, Texas. "I think you are free to be you." Paramount+ The Best and Boldest Looks at the 2022 ACM Awards Chris Young led the pack of nominees this year with seven nominations, including album of the year and single of the year, while Walker Hayes, Lambert and Stapleton trailed with five apiece. The ACM Awards, hosted by Dolly Parton, Jimmie Allen and Gabby Barrett, aired live from Las Vegas on Monday at 8 p.m. EST on Prime Video.