Ella Langley Stole the Show With a Blazing Performance
It’s been a monumental year for Ella Langley, who took the ACM Awards by storm as the most-nominated artist of the night. With eight nominations under her belt—including nods for New Female Artist of the Year and Female Artist of the Year—Langley’s chart-topping collaboration with Riley Green, “You Look Like You Love Me,” earned her six of those alone.
Before the ceremony even began, she had already secured three wins.
But the most emotional moment came during her live performance, when she was surprised with the New Female Artist of the Year award.
The announcement came from her friend and fellow country superstar Miranda Lambert, who appeared on the jumbotron mid-show to deliver the news personally. She said:
“I’m so proud of you for being the most-nominated artist at this year’s ACMs. You’re my friend, my family, my fellow dog rescue warrior, co-writer, soul sister in country music, and my partner in crime. But most importantly, I’m here to tell you this—you’ve officially won New Female Artist of the Year.”
Fighting back tears, Langley recorded a heartfelt thank-you message to her fans:
“This is what I’ve dreamed about every single day. Everything I’ve done in life was to get here, and I’m beyond thankful for the team I’ve got behind me. I’m just so grateful for the fans who really listen to the music and understand it’s honest—that I’m just a regular person going through life like everyone else. And to know my songs reflect that, it means everything. Thank you.”
Her Unforgettable 2025 ACM Stage Moment
Later that night, Langley lit up the stage with a fiery performance of her hit “Weren’t for the Wind.” Dressed in all black and tossing off her coat early on, she captivated the crowd with her tambourine in hand, dancing across the stage backed by a full band.
But the magic didn’t stop there. She teamed up with Miranda Lambert for a scorching duet of Lambert’s classic “Kerosene,” making for a full-circle moment as the same friend who gave her the surprise award joined her in one of the most explosive performances of the night.