Country music superstar Lainey Wilson delivered an unexpected and highly shareable moment during her recent headlining set at the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. While the “Heart Like a Truck” singer has established a routine of inviting a young female fan—dubbed the “Cowgirl of the Night”—onto the stage during her shows, she deviated from this tradition after spotting a unique costume in the audience.
Wilson halted the standard flow of her performance when she noticed a young boy in the crowd dressed meticulously as her fiancé, former NFL quarterback Devlin “Duck” Hodges. The child’s outfit was a detailed replication of Hodges’ signature style, featuring a camouflage hat, blue jeans secured with a silver belt buckle, and a fake mustache. To complete the look, he wore a black long-sleeve shirt emblazoned with the word “DUCK” across the chest.
Upon seeing the mini-doppelgänger, Wilson reportedly descended from the stage and walked into the crowd to retrieve the young fan, leading him back up to the spotlight. Understanding the context of the costume, Wilson chose to perform her track “Yesterday, All Day, Every Day,” a song widely recognized as a love letter to Hodges.
Video footage from the event captured the interaction, showing Wilson holding the young boy’s hand as she sang the ballad. The child, appearing slightly overwhelmed by the massive audience and the presence of the country star, stood smiling nervously. Wilson attempted to ease his stage fright by engaging him in a brief dance before guiding him back to his seat in the audience.
This specific fan interaction highlights the growing lore surrounding Wilson’s relationship with Hodges. The couple, who announced their engagement in February 2025 after Hodges proposed at George Jones’ former estate in Tennessee, have become a favorite topic among country music followers. Wilson has previously noted that wedding planning has been slow due to their conflicting and demanding schedules, though she confirmed during the CMA Awards that the nuptials are slated for 2026.
The Las Vegas moment also marks a recurring theme of fans using “Duck” Hodges as inspiration for concert attire. In a separate incident in October, Wilson was momentarily caught off guard when a fan appeared in the crowd wearing a realistic, full-head green duck mask, a literal interpretation of her partner’s nickname.
The NFR performance comes as Wilson continues to dominate the country music circuit. By choosing to spotlight a fan paying homage to her personal life rather than adhering to the standard “Cowgirl of the Night” segment, Wilson provided a fresh, humanizing moment that resonated with attendees and online viewers alike. The interaction underscores her reputation for high-engagement live shows and her willingness to embrace the public’s fascination with her off-stage romance.
