The Backstreet Boys returned to a major awards stage in a way only they could — by teaming up with Rascal Flatts for a genre-blurring performance at the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards. The pop legends and country mainstays closed out the night with a medley that celebrated both groups’ biggest hits and a new duet version of “What Hurts the Most.”

The iconic groups closed the ACM Awards with a genre-crossing medley

Streaming live worldwide through Prime Video, the 2025 ACM Awards gave fans a free ticket to a unique moment in music history. The Backstreet Boys, who have been increasingly embracing the country crowd, shared the stage with Rascal Flatts for a special performance that felt more like a reunion than an awards show finale.

The two bands kicked things off with their fresh collaboration on “What Hurts the Most.” The song, originally a Rascal Flatts hit from 2006, will appear on the country group’s upcoming album Life Is a Highway: Refueled Duets. The album, releasing June 6, features tracks reimagined with help from artists across genres — and the Backstreet Boys are right in the mix.

Backstreet Boys’ “What Hurts the Most” moment was nearly a miss

There’s a twist to the story behind the song. As Nick Carter revealed in a recent interview, the Backstreet Boys nearly passed on “What Hurts the Most” themselves. During the era of their comeback album Never Gone, the label pushed for the group to record the track. But the band opted for “Incomplete” instead — a decision they now see as fortunate, given the chance to perform the song with Rascal Flatts live.

“It was meant to be,” Nick said. “We wouldn’t be here performing with them if we had taken the song. Still, funny story.”

The performance blended country hits with pop nostalgia

After the duet on “What Hurts the Most,” Rascal Flatts gave a taste of their new single “I Dare You,” which features the Jonas Brothers on the studio version. Then the Backstreet Boys bounced back with a nostalgic blast of “Larger Than Life,” reigniting the crowd with one of their most iconic tracks from the late ’90s.

The finale saw the two groups singing together with the audience on “Life Is a Highway,” turning the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, into a sing-along stadium of shared memories and cross-genre respect.

Backstreet Boys continue to embrace country audiences

This isn’t the Backstreet Boys’ first dip into country waters lately. Just last month, they performed at the Stagecoach Festival in California, where they joined Luke Combs for a surprise version of “I Want It That Way.” Their collaboration with Rascal Flatts at the ACMs feels like a natural extension of their current musical path — one that’s willing to mix pop harmonies with country storytelling.

For Rascal Flatts, the duet with the Backstreet Boys adds another layer to their 25th-anniversary celebration. Vocalist Gary LeVox called the project “indescribable,” praising the chance to work with artists who bring new life to their songs. “It’s just another way to thank our fans for riding along with us,” he said.

What's next for the Backstreet Boys after the ACMs?

While the Backstreet Boys haven’t announced any new albums tied to their country collaborations, their live performances say enough. They’re experimenting with their sound and audience, and it’s working. The ACM Awards performance with Rascal Flatts wasn’t just a one-off moment — it felt like a statement.

They may still be the same group that gave us “I Want It That Way,” but they’re not stuck in the ’90s. And that’s a move that keeps them relevant, not just nostalgic.