The 59th Annual CMA Awards on November 19 may have crowned its winners, but one performance left the Bridgestone Arena – and millions watching on ABC – buzzing long after the final bow: Ella Langley’s spirited debut of “Choosin’ Texas.” The 26-year-old Alabama powerhouse infused the stage with authentic country fire, delivering a set that had fans and critics alike declaring her the night’s breakout star. As a frontrunner for New Artist of the Year, Langley’s electric showcase amplified the hype, positioning her as country’s most exciting newcomer ready to claim her throne.
Dressed in a fringed leather jacket and boots that echoed her Gulf Coast roots, Langley owned the spotlight with a performance that blended raw emotion and infectious energy. Co-written with Miranda Lambert – the five-time CMA Entertainer of the Year – “Choosin’ Texas” tells a poignant tale of love derailed by the call of wide-open plains, its twangy guitars and heartfelt chorus resonating like a late-night confessional. Released in October 2024 as the lead single from her sophomore album Hungover, the track has already surged to No. 5 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, boasting over 15 million streams and counting.
“This wasn’t just a song – it was a statement,” said CMA producer Robert Deaton in a post-show interview. Langley’s confident delivery, complete with a mid-song two-step and crowd sing-along, transformed the arena into an intimate honky-tonk, proving her poise under the bright lights of country’s biggest night.
A Newcomer with Old-Soul Swagger: Langley’s Path to CMA Stardom
Ella Langley’s road to the 2025 CMAs has been paved with grit and gold records. Hailing from Lillian, Alabama, the self-taught guitarist ditched college dreams for Nashville’s songwriting scene in 2018, honing her craft alongside influences like Dolly Parton and Chris Stapleton. Her 2024 breakout came courtesy of “You Look Like You Love Me,” the flirty duet with Riley Green that topped the Billboard Country Airplay chart for eight weeks and earned her a 2024 CMA Musical Event of the Year win.
That momentum carried into 2025, where Langley swept five ACM Awards, including New Female Artist, and dropped Hungover – a 14-track powerhouse of heartbreak ballads and barroom anthems that debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. Nominated for six CMAs, including New Artist of the Year (up against heavyweights like Post Malone and Megan Moroney), Single of the Year for “You Look Like You Love Me,” and Musical Event, her “Choosin’ Texas” slot was a calculated high-wire act. Though the New Artist win went to another rising talent, Langley’s performance turned heads, with bookies now favoring her for a 2026 Grammy nod in the same category.
In a backstage chat with Billboard, Langley reflected on the moment: “I poured my Alabama soul into every note – Texas may call, but Nashville’s my home now. Winning or not, this stage chose me tonight.” Her Lambert collab adds star power, with the icon tweeting post-show: “Ella’s got that fire. Proud to co-write with a future legend. #ChoosinTexas”
Crowd Roars and Social Storm: The Performance That Stole the Show
The reaction was immediate and thunderous. As Langley’s final note hung in the air, the crowd erupted in a standing ovation, with celebrities like Lainey Wilson and Luke Combs visibly nodding along from the front rows. Social media lit up faster than a Fourth of July bonfire: #EllaLangleyCMA trended No. 1 on X (formerly Twitter) within minutes, amassing 1.5 million mentions by show’s end. “Ella just two-stepped her way into my heart – New Artist lock! 🇨🇱” posted one fan, while another raved, “That energy? Pure country magic. Miranda’s protégé is here to stay.”
Music outlets piled on the praise. Rolling Stone dubbed it “a spirited barn-burner that channeled Texas heart with Alabama edge,” and Taste of Country highlighted how the performance “elevated the night’s energy, making her the unofficial MVP.” Even in a lineup featuring Entertainer of the Year Lainey Wilson and Vocalist of the Year Chris Stapleton, Langley’s set stood out for its unfiltered authenticity – no auto-tune, just pure vocal horsepower and storytelling that hit like sweet tea on a hot day.
Charting the Future: Tours, Tunes, and Trophy Hunts
With “Choosin’ Texas” climbing charts and Hungover certified gold, Ella Langley’s 2025 is far from over. She’s announced a co-headlining spring 2026 tour with Riley Green, kicking off in Austin and hitting 30 cities, including sold-out stops at the Ryman Auditorium. Whispers of festival slots at Coachella and Bonnaroo suggest crossover appeal, while her New Artist contention keeps Grammy speculation alive.
For superfans, the full CMA performance is streaming on the official CMA YouTube channel, and “Choosin’ Texas” is available on all platforms. As country evolves, artists like Langley – blending tradition with bold vulnerability – are the spark. Her 2025 CMAs moment? Not just a wow, but a warning: This spirited songbird is soaring, and she’s only getting started.
