While country music fans poured into Nashville for CMA Fest, the industry took a moment to celebrate its own—and Ella Langley was front and center.
During Billboard’s Country Power Players awards, Ella received the Rising Star Award, a well-earned recognition in what’s been a whirlwind year for the Alabama native. And to make the moment even sweeter, her close friend and country powerhouse Lainey Wilson took the mic to honor her.
“Lainey calls me her redneck sister,” Ella laughed later—and the love is clearly mutual.
Lainey, never one to sugarcoat, spoke from the heart about their first meeting. “As soon as I met her, I knew she was different,” she said. “She hadn’t even sung a note yet, but she had that fire. That kind of go-getter energy you need in this business.”
She also shared a more personal side, saying Ella was one of the few people who never looked at her sideways for her Southern accent. “That told me she was raised right—just like me.”
But it wasn’t just the personality that stood out. Lainey praised Ella’s work ethic, saying she gives “190%” to everything—whether it’s a live show or a writing session. “She’s already made her mark,” Lainey added, “and she’s not going anywhere. Ella has the guts and grit to last as long as she wants to.”
The two have clearly become close friends—and maybe even a little trouble when they get together. Lainey teased some off-the-record adventures on her land, hinting, “We’ve made memories we can’t even talk about.”
Then came the moment Ella took the stage.
Nervous but beaming, she admitted the last six or seven months have been a rollercoaster. “This is the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do. It’s the only job I’ve ever had,” she told the crowd, her voice cracking slightly.
She reflected on feeling like a rookie—recording her first songs, upgrading to a touring van, and preparing to take the stage at Nissan Stadium during CMA Fest.
“But I’m grateful for the girl who kept showing up. She got me here today.”
And she’s just getting started.
From van rides to standing ovations, Ella Langley is living proof that hard work and heart go a long way in country music—and if Lainey Wilson’s words are any indication, we’re witnessing the rise of someone truly unforgettable.
Way to go, Ella—you’ve earned every bit of it.
