Ella Langley Proves She’s No Longer Country Music’s Rising Star—She’s Already Arrived With Two Show-Stopping CMA Fest Performances
Ella Langley didn’t need elaborate staging or surprise guest appearances to steal the spotlight at CMA Fest 2026. She let two career-defining songs do all the talking.
During ABC’s three-hour CMA Fest presented by SoFi television special, the Alabama native delivered back-to-back performances of “Be Her” and “Choosin’ Texas,” offering two completely different sides of her artistry while reminding country music fans why she’s become one of the genre’s fastest-rising stars.
Appearing onstage at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium in a white floral mini dress paired with matching boots, Langley embraced the effortless Southern style that has become part of her signature image. But while the look was understated, the performances themselves carried enormous weight.
“Be Her” Showcases the Vulnerability Behind the Success
Ella Langley; Photo by Acacia Evans/CMA
Opening with “Be Her,” Langley brought one of the biggest songs of her career to life before thousands of fans.
Now officially her fifth No. 1 single, the track explores a feeling many listeners know all too well—the temptation to compare yourself to someone who seems to have everything figured out.
Rather than portraying confidence, Langley leans into insecurity, singing about wishing she could become the seemingly perfect woman everyone admires.
Walking confidently across the massive Nissan Stadium stage, she transformed an intensely personal song into a shared emotional experience, with fans singing every word back to her.
It’s that honesty that continues to separate Langley from many of today’s country newcomers. Instead of chasing perfection, she’s built her career by embracing imperfection.
Then Came the Crowd Favorite
If “Be Her” highlighted vulnerability, “Choosin’ Texas” reminded everyone why Langley has become one of country music’s most exciting live performers.
The moment the opening notes rang through the stadium, the audience erupted.
Co-written alongside country superstar Miranda Lambert, producer Ben West, Luke Dick, and Joybeth Taylor, the song has quickly become one of Langley’s defining hits.
Performed from the perspective of a woman realizing the man she loves will always belong somewhere—and someone—else, the heartbreak anthem struck an immediate chord with the Nashville crowd.
Thousands joined in for a stadium-wide singalong, turning the performance into one of the night’s loudest moments.
A Performance That Felt Like a Career Statement
Ella Langley; Photos Courtesy of Getty Images for CMA
More than simply promoting two hit singles, Langley’s appearance felt like a declaration that she has moved beyond the “next big thing” label.
In recent years, she’s steadily built one of country music’s most impressive résumés, combining chart success with growing festival crowds and increasing industry recognition.
At CMA Fest, she looked every bit like an artist comfortable headlining one of country music’s biggest stages.
Her natural stage presence, emotional storytelling, and unmistakable Southern authenticity continue to resonate with fans searching for artists whose songs feel genuine rather than manufactured.
One of CMA Fest’s Breakout Moments
CMA Fest 2026
Langley’s performances were among dozens featured during the nationally televised special, which showcased many of country music’s biggest stars throughout the annual Nashville celebration.
Hosted by Riley Green and Lara Spencer, the broadcast featured appearances from Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Luke Bryan, Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll, HARDY, Cody Johnson, Zach Top, Bailey Zimmerman, Jordan Davis, and many more.
Yet despite sharing the spotlight with some of country music’s biggest names, Ella Langley delivered one of the evening’s most memorable showcases.
For longtime fans, it was another reminder of why they’ve believed in her from the beginning.
For everyone else, it may have been the moment they realized country music’s newest powerhouse has already arrived.
