Ella Langley won the most ACM Awards, for the second year in a row. Langley has also made history with her recent multi-week No. 1 single, “Choosin’ Texas,” making her the first female artist to top the Billboard Hot 100, Hot Country Songs, and Country Airplay charts.
Impressive accomplishments, Langley’s goals far surpass awards and chart positions. Asked what her biggest ambitions are, and Langley has a long list, including being a musical guest on SNL, and someday hosting the show.
“Sell out a stadium, more than one,” Langley tells Billboard. “That’s always been my goal. People in the beginning always used to ask me, ‘Well, how far do you want to take this thing?’ I said, ‘I guess as far it will let me go.’ And to me, that’s a stadium, so that’s my big one. I want to act. So I’d love to start doing that in the next year. There are so many venues that I want to play.
“I want to headline Red Rocks,” she continues. “I’ve opened Red Rocks, but I’ve never headlined. Have a saxophone in my band. I could keep going with my goals. I really think of plenty more every day. At this point, I’m just going to start reaching for the stars, literally.”
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Ella Langley Is Proud to Be a Woman in Country Music
Langley is vocal about her gratitude for artists like Miranda Lambert and Lainey Wilson, among others, who have been her biggest champion and cheerleader. For Langley, there isn’t a better time to be a female artist in country music than right now.
“I think what I’m drawn to with strong women is their ability to be trailblazers in a way where they’re not afraid to take risks,” Langley says. “They’re creating music they want to create because they love it, and this is their art, and it pays off. I think when you do that, when you just explore your artistry and have fun with it.”
With all of her success, Langley is also aware that there are young female artists who she is likely inspiring as well.
“There are so many talented women coming up right now,” boasts the singer. “I’m so excited for what music’s gonna look like in the next two to three years. I mean, women are about to take over. I’m telling you that right now.”
“We’re here to play,” she adds. “We’re here playing. It’s cool. It’s really cool to be someone that hopefully someone else looks up to in that way.”
What Ella Langley Says About Her 7 ACM Awards Wins
Among Langley’s seven wins is one for Female Artist of the Year, a trophy she became emotional as she accepted. Langley was nominated along with Lambert, Wilson, Kelsea Ballerini, and Megan Moroney.
“I keep wondering when this is going to feel like real life, and it is yet to have done that, ” Langley said backstage at the ACM Awards. “I’m just so grateful. I’m so grateful to be here, and I’m so grateful that I get to do what I love to do with the people that I love to do it with.”
Since Langley was a little girl, she dreamed of a career in country music. But even she never imagined how far those dreams would take her.
“I’ve wanted this my whole entire life,” Langley says. “My whole entire life. I’ve watched these award shows the whole time. And I’ve watched a lot of these people that love me and support me up here from back home, in my living room on the TV. And standing up on stage and looking out at those women that have continuously had my back made me emotional.”
Photo Credit: ACM / Benton Ho