“I love Ella, and she’s like a sister…”
As Lainey Wilson rose from living in a camper trailer to becoming an ACM and CMA Entertainer of the Year, she leaned on the guidance of country music legends like Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, and Wynonna Judd. Their mentorship helped her navigate the highs and lows of the industry and proved invaluable as she built her career into one that now includes a GRAMMY and membership at the Grand Ole Opry.
Now at the top of her game, Wilson is paying it forward by mentoring rising star Ella Langley. The Louisiana native believes in sharing the lessons and wisdom she received, helping the next generation of country artists find their footing in the business.
“Miranda was that person for me, and I know she is that person for Ella too,” Wilson said during an interview with Country Nights Live with Bev Rainey. “I think about the wisdom passed on to me from folks like Miranda, Reba, Wynonna… you’ve got to pass that on. You can’t keep it to yourself.”
@withbevrainey Country queens lift each other up. 👑 Lainey’s got Ella’s back! #CountryNightsLive #LaineyWilson #BevRainey #EllaLangley #WomenInCountry @Lainey Wilson @Ella Langley
Wilson added, “I love Ella, and she’s like a sister. I see her, and I know she’s one of the most talented people in this business. It’s important for me to check in and be there if she needs me.”
Langley recently opened up to Lambert and Wilson about struggling with imposter syndrome when her career was taking off around the ACM Awards. “I was like, ‘How can I be in the same category as you two?’” Langley admitted. Both Wilson and Lambert offered guidance and reassurance, just as other women in the industry had done for them.
Meanwhile, Lainey Wilson has been busy launching her Whirlwind World Tour and releasing Whirlwind (Deluxe), which adds five new tracks to the original 14-song project, including “Bell Bottoms Up,” “King Ranch, King George, King James,” “Yesterday, All Day, Every Day,” “Peace, Love, and Cowboys,” and the chart-climbing “Somewhere Over Laredo.”