Ella Langley has become one of the fastest-rising stars in country music. Although she had been working toward her breakthrough for years, her career began reaching a new level after the release of “you look like you love me” with Riley Green in 2024.
The duet became a major success, winning CMA Awards for Music Event of the Year and Single of the Year in 2024, followed by Music Video of the Year in 2025. It also earned three ACM Awards in 2025: Single of the Year, Visual Media of the Year, and Music Event of the Year.
Then came the song that changed everything.
In October 2025, Langley released “Choosin’ Texas,” the first song from her upcoming album Dandelion. The track quickly became a massive hit, reaching No. 1 on both major Billboard country charts as well as the all-genre Hot 100.
“Choosin’ Texas” eventually spent 24 non-consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100. After reaching its 23rd week at the top, it broke the previous record for the longest-running No. 1 song on the chart. The song also continued its remarkable run on the Hot Country Songs chart.
With millions of new listeners discovering her music, Langley has also faced a growing amount of criticism. Some people have questioned whether she deserves the recognition and accomplishments that have come with her rapid rise. Others have focused on everything from her appearance and clothing to the way she speaks, performs, and interacts with people.
Ella knows those comments are out there—and during a recent concert in Columbus, Ohio, she opened up about how they affected her.
Ella Langley Opens Up About the Criticism
Before performing “Loving Life Again,” Langley spoke honestly with the audience about the intense scrutiny she has experienced over the past year.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had more opinions on myself in my life than I have in this last year,” she said, referring to comments about the way she looks, speaks, dresses, moves, sings, and writes.
“At first, it bothered me. I won’t even lie,” she admitted.
Langley explained that she initially questioned whether she was strong enough to handle so much criticism, even though she loves the career she has worked so hard to build.
Eventually, however, she began looking at the situation differently.
She told the crowd that the person people were criticizing was actually the same girl who helped get her to where she is today.
Langley remembered the early days of her career, when she traveled from place to place, performed night after night, and lived on tip money and whatever food she could afford at the bars where she played.
She said that version of herself kept going with nothing but a dream and the determination to get up and chase it every day.
That realization changed the way she viewed the criticism.
“So I’m gonna tell you right now, I am proud of that girl that everybody seems to be picking on a little bit,” Langley told the audience.
Instead of allowing the criticism to erase the person she used to be, Ella is choosing to remember the younger version of herself who kept working, kept performing, and refused to give up on her dream.