Madeline Merlo is living proof that sometimes, the girl next door is the main character.
Fresh off her CMA Fest appearance earlier this summer and racking up three CCMA Award nominations — including “Female Artist of the Year,” “Songwriter of the Year,” and “Musical Collaboration of the Year” for her hit “Broken Heart Thing” with Dustin Lynch — the rising star is glowing brighter than ever. And no, it’s not just that signature stage light sparkle… it’s the vibe of a woman who’s been through it, come out the other side, and is thriving.
“It’s the best weekend of the year,” Madeline gushed to Celeb Secrets backstage at CMA Fest 2025, right before performing on the Chevy Vibes Stage. “I feel like I’m on a bigger stage than I was last year, and that’s just a little nudge — like, keep going.”
And going, she is. Her breakout EP ONE HOUSE DOWN (from the girl next door) continues to strike a chord with fans across North America. The deeply personal six-song set is a rollercoaster of love, loss, healing, and self-worth — wrapped in country-pop shimmer and dusted with Keith Urban magic (yes, he plays the guitar solo on the title track).
“I’m still so proud of that project,” she told us, smiling wide. “I mean, the response has been so sweet. With ‘Broken Heart Thing,’ hearing people say, ‘this song got me through my breakup’ — that means everything.”
And it’s not just fans who took notice. That same heart-tugging duet with Dustin Lynch led to a first-ever Grand Ole Opry duet and a powerful music video moment that solidified Madeline as one of country’s most emotionally resonant storytellers. Her EP tells a full arc — from the ache of heartache (“Middle of the Bed”) to the empowering energy of moving forward (“Good Grief”) — and ends with the title track that’s as relatable as it is anthemic.
“All of these songs were written in a very tumultuous time of my life where I was kind of a bit of a wreck. I got a lot of inspiration from this period of time because I was just really lost. I felt like all my emotions were out of control and I was doing things and in situations I shouldn’t have been in,” she previously told Celeb Secrets. “It was just a low time for me, but a good place to draw inspiration from, so to see the stumbling and then this moment of hope and clarity come through… I feel like I finally healed myself and ended up where I’m supposed to be.”
That self-love isn’t just lyrical — it’s real. In 2024, Madeline married the love of her life and stepped into what she calls her “Happy Girl Era.”
“I’ve been through it,” she said, laughing. “I deserve this.” And while her previous project was breakup-centric, the next chapter of music is filled with fresh perspective, deep acceptance, and yes — a little more joy.
“There’s definitely not a lot of breakup vibes right now,” she teased about her new music. “I’ve been writing about life, family, and I even have a song about my mom. I’m still figuring out the visuals, the color palette… I’m a very visual person. But I love this process.”
While there’s no official release date just yet, Madeline’s been putting pen to paper — and heart to lyrics — with new songs already in the works. She’s spending the summer playing festivals across the U.S. and Canada (with a quick detour to Europe for a wedding!) and prepping for her CCMA performance on the national broadcast September 13 in Kelowna, BC.
As a reminder, this isn’t her first award season rodeo. In addition to her Songland-winning smash “Champagne Night” (recorded by Lady A), she’s got credits on huge hits like Cole Swindell’s “She Had Me at Heads Carolina,” Jelly Roll’s “Kill a Man,” and Dustin Lynch’s “Chevrolet.” Oh — and she’s part of CMT’s prestigious Next Women of Country Class of 2024.
From growing up in British Columbia to the performing on the Grand Ole Opry stage, Madeline has always stood out by being unapologetically her. Her voice is clear, her pen is sharp, and her message is heartfelt.
For more on Madeline’s music, make sure to watch our full interview below.
Interview quotes have been edited and condensed for clarity. For more coverage from CMA Fest 2025, click here.
