The 26-year-old singer surprised the newly announced NextStage Class of 2026.
Ella Langley has come full circle. After being named a member of the Grand Ole Opry NextStage Class of 2024, the rising country star returned just two years later as one of two surprise guests invited to inspire this year’s class.
On Tuesday, February 24, ahead of her tribute performance celebrating Ronnie Milsap’s 50th anniversary as an Opry member, Ella met with the NextStage Class of 2026 — Emily Ann Roberts, Alexandra Kay, Willow Avalon, Graham Barham, Tyler Braden, Carter Faith, Vincent Mason, Hudson Westbrook, and Jake Worthington — during a special Studio A session.
During the conversation, Emily Ann Roberts asked Ella if there was anything she wished she had appreciated more or taken greater advantage of during her own NextStage experience, and what advice she would give the new class as they follow a similar path.
Reflecting on her Opry debut, Ella shared, “I don’t remember who told me this, but right before I walked on stage, I was really nervous, and someone said, ‘Just take it in every time you step foot up here.’ Since then, I’ve made it a point to do exactly that every time I play the Opry. There’s truly no place like it in country music. So many legendary artists have stood in that circle. Just feel the moment and be proud of yourself for being there — because you deserve it.”
After the Studio A event, Ella changed outfits and took center stage to help celebrate Ronnie Milsap’s lasting impact on country music. The “Dandelion” singer performed heartfelt covers of “I Wouldn’t Have Missed It for the World” and “Almost Like a Song.”
“Tonight I got to honor one of my very favorites with one of my favorite songs to sing at one of my favorite places to play music,” she wrote alongside an Instagram clip from the evening.
Trace Adkins, Mark Wills, Keith Urban, Vince Gill, and Blake Shelton also performed during the celebration, along with Ronnie Milsap himself. Earlier in the event, Vince Gill had also joined Ella in surprising the NextStage Class.