Entering the Academy of Country Music Awards, Ella Langley felt off-kilter but exited with a remarkable collection of trophies and a moving expression of faith that resonated with the audience.
At the 61st ACM Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Langley, 27, fought tears while accepting the Female Artist of the Year award. Before taking the stage, she received a heartfelt hug from Lainey Wilson, who handed her the trophy alongside T.J. Osborne.
“I’m trying to find words, but I can’t,” Langley shared with the audience after the standing ovation.
“Thank you. To the women in this category and in my life … this is a strange thing to do.”
Langley mentioned feeling a bit off before the event and sought comfort from fellow artists. “I walked into Lainey’s room and got emotional; she prayed for me,” she recalled, mentioning Miranda Lambert and thanking Kelsea Ballerini for her support.
In addition to Ballerini and Lambert, Megan Moroney and Wilson were also nominees in her category.
She extended gratitude towards her family and emphasized her faith, stating, “Thank you to my parents for believing in me. Thank you, Jesus, for allowing me to pursue this career. I appreciate the ACMs… Lauren Alaina, I love you so much.”
🚨 AWESOME! Female Artist of the Year ACM Awards winner Ella Langley credits Jesus Christ live on stage in front of the whole audience
“Thank you Jesus!” 🙏🏻
The fact this would upset the left speaks VOLUMES.pic.twitter.com/tyqM1N4piT
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) May 18, 2026
Langley acknowledged the women who had influenced her journey, concluding, “Thank you to the women. I wouldn’t be here without them.”
As the night progressed, Langley was joined by co-writer Lambert while accepting the Single of the Year award presented by Shaboozey. “I already spoke, so now I’m going to let Miranda Lambert share,” she said.
Lambert, a seasoned ACM participant, expressed gratitude for the collaboration. “All those were fabulous songs,” she remarked. “This marks my 20th ACMs this year. I’m just thankful Ella entrusted me with her art.”
Later, Langley received the Song of the Year award from Michael Bublé for “Choosin’ Texas,” still astonished by the rapid pace of the evening.
“If you know me, you know I rarely lack words,” she added, before again thanking God, “I don’t know why you connected with this song, but thank you for doing so.”
Langley also won the Artist-Songwriter of the Year award before the telecast, ultimately clinching seven awards and transforming a “strange day” into a definitive milestone in her career.
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