The $250,000 Ring And Secret Jazz Band: 7 Shocking Details About Lainey Wilson And Devlin Hodges' Engagement

Country music has a new power couple heading down the aisle. Just ahead of Valentine's Day on February 12, 2025, multi-award-winning artist Lainey Wilson announced her engagement to her long-time, but until recently, private boyfriend, former NFL quarterback Devlin "Duck" Hodges. The news, shared with a series of intimate photos, immediately set the internet ablaze, not just because of the surprise announcement but also due to the dazzling, jaw-dropping diamond ring now on the singer's finger. The engagement marks a major milestone for the couple, who managed to keep their relationship almost entirely out of the spotlight for years while Lainey Wilson’s career exploded into superstardom. This deep dive reveals the complete biography of the betrothed pair, the full timeline of their secretive romance, and the fresh, unique details about their upcoming wedding that are shocking even the biggest country music fans.

Lainey Wilson and Devlin Hodges: A Complete Biography and Relationship Timeline

The union of a Grammy-winning country star and a record-breaking former professional athlete is a match made in the headlines. Here is a look at the two figures at the center of the biggest celebrity engagement of 2025.

Lainey Wilson: The Bell Bottom Country Queen

• Full Name: Lainey Denay Wilson
• Born: May 19, 1992
• Hometown: Baskin, Louisiana
• Career Highlights: Grammy Award winner, multi-time ACM Entertainer of the Year, CMA Entertainer of the Year, and creator of the "Bell Bottom Country" style.
• Notable Hits: "Things a Man Oughta Know," "Watermelon Moonshine," and "Heart Like a Truck."
• Early Life: Moved to Nashville in 2011, living in a camper trailer for years while pursuing her dream.

Devlin 'Duck' Hodges: The Record-Breaking Quarterback

• Full Name: Devlin Patrick Hodges
• Born: April 12, 1996
• Hometown: Kimberly, Alabama
• Career Highlights: Former NFL quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Rams.
• College Career: Played for Samford University, where he broke the FCS national record for career passing yards, surpassing a long-standing record held by Steve McNair.
• Nickname Origin: Earned the nickname "Duck" due to his passion for duck hunting.

The Secret Romance Timeline

Unlike many celebrity couples, Wilson and Hodges kept their romance a closely guarded secret for over two years, allowing their relationship to develop away from the intense media scrutiny that followed Lainey’s meteoric rise.

• 2021: The Introduction: Lainey and Devlin first connected and began dating after being introduced by mutual friends.
• 2023: Going Public: After two years of privacy, the couple made their public debut when Lainey brought Devlin as her date to the ACM Awards in May 2023.
• February 12, 2025: The Announcement: The couple officially announced their engagement with a series of photos shared on social media, confirming Devlin’s proposal.

The Dazzling Ring and Proposal Details That Stunned Fans

The engagement post was a celebration of love, but it was impossible for fans and jewelers alike to ignore the stunning piece of jewelry Lainey now wears. The ring is a massive statement piece, perfectly fitting the larger-than-life personality of the "Watermelon Moonshine" singer. Sources have estimated the value of the dazzling diamond ring at a staggering $250,000. The massive center stone is set on a classic, elegant band, designed to catch the light and complement Lainey Wilson's signature style. While the proposal details have been kept mostly private, Lainey confirmed that the former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback popped the question in a deeply personal and intimate setting. The announcement photos highlighted the couple’s down-to-earth nature, showing them embracing and celebrating their future together, a true reflection of their Southern roots—Lainey a Louisiana native and Devlin an Alabama native.

Surprising Wedding Plans: No Country Music and a Star-Studded Guest List

With Lainey Wilson being the reigning queen of country music, fans naturally assumed her wedding to Devlin Hodges would be a massive, country-themed spectacle. However, the initial details she has shared about the wedding plans have been anything but typical, revealing a surprising twist.

The Shocking Music Choice

Despite her career being built on country anthems, Lainey Wilson revealed that her wedding reception will feature a surprising musical genre: jazz.

She explained that she and Devlin want their wedding to be a departure from her professional life, opting for a smooth, sophisticated jazz band to set the tone for their celebration. This unexpected choice demonstrates the couple’s desire to keep their private life distinct from the demands of her touring and recording schedule.

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A Grand, Star-Studded Affair

While the music might be a surprise, the guest list is expected to be as grand as her career. Lainey Wilson is one of the most beloved and awarded artists in the industry, meaning the guest list will undoubtedly be star-studded.

The upcoming celebration is expected to draw major figures from both the country music world and the NFL community, bridging the gap between Nashville and the professional football scene. The logistics of balancing a major music career—including her *Bell Bottom Country* tour and recording new music—with planning a wedding of this scale are immense, but Lainey has shared that the planning is well underway.

The engagement of Lainey Wilson and Devlin Hodges is more than just a celebrity headline; it’s a beautiful convergence of two successful worlds. From their secret start in 2021 to the dazzling $250,000 ring and the surprising jazz-themed wedding, every detail of their journey has captivated the public, solidifying their status as one of the most watched couples in entertainment. All eyes will be on this dynamic duo as they finalize their wedding plans and begin their new life as husband and wife.

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