Country music star Ella Langley paused her September 10 concert at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, to publicly credit God for her career success, just hours after receiving a career-high nine CMA Award nominations. The 27-year-old singer's emotional remarks quickly gained widespread attention online, resonating with fans and observers across social media platforms.
"God has been so good to me, has been just so, so good to me." Ella Langley, Country Music Star
Langley's nine nominations are the most received by any artist this year and place her in an elite group of female artists. This achievement ties the record for the most CMA nominations earned by a female artist in a single year, matching previous totals by Miranda Lambert and Lainey Wilson. The overall record is held by Alan Jackson, who received ten nominations in 2002.
During her sold-out Dandelion Tour performance, Langley reflected on the transformative year she has experienced. "God has been so good to me, has been just so, so good to me," she told the cheering crowd. She conveyed a sense of humility regarding her rapid ascent in the music industry, acknowledging her origins. "I’m just a poor girl from a small town with a big dream," Langley stated. "Pretty cliche, I know, but it’s true."
Her nominations span several major categories, highlighting her versatile talent and commercial impact. Langley is nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, and Album of the Year for her critically acclaimed "Dandelion." Two of her popular songs, "Be Her" and "Choosin’ Texas," earned nominations for both Single of the Year and Song of the Year. "Choosin’ Texas" also received a nod for Music Video of the Year. Additionally, her collaboration with Morgan Wallen, "I Can’t Love You Anymore," was nominated for Musical Event of the Year.
Langley's recent success extends beyond award nominations. Her song "Choosin’ Texas" made history by becoming the first song by a woman to simultaneously top the Billboard Hot 100, Hot Country Songs, and Country Airplay charts. "Be Her" also achieved significant radio success, becoming one of the fastest solo female singles to reach No. 1 at country radio in the past decade. This widespread commercial appeal underscores her growing influence in the genre.
The Newark concert, which featured supporting performances from artists like ERNEST and Gabriella Rose, served as a platform for Langley to connect with her audience on a deeply personal level. She spoke about her gratitude despite what she described as personal shortcomings. "I don’t feel like I always deserve it, but I am so grateful that I’ve been given the opportunity to stand up here and sing songs that I love," she shared, emphasizing her passion for her craft.
This public expression of Christian faith is not an isolated incident for Langley. Earlier this year, a video circulated online showing the singer discussing how her relationship with God had positively impacted her self-perception and how she treated herself. In those remarks, she characterized faith as a crucial source of stability in her life and encouraged her listeners to recognize their inherent worth. Her consistent acknowledgment of her spiritual beliefs has become a notable aspect of her public persona.
Langley's strong showing at the CMA nominations follows a successful run at the Academy of Country Music Awards earlier this year, where she secured wins in all seven categories for which she was nominated. The 60th annual CMA Awards are scheduled to take place on November 18 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena and will be broadcast live on ABC and Disney+. Her recent viral moment has further amplified anticipation for the upcoming awards ceremony, placing her at the forefront of country music discussions.
