Ella Langley on Country Music’s Future: ‘Women Are About to Take Over’ [INTERVIEW]

Ella Langley had a record-setting night at the 61st ACM Awards on May 17, taking home seven awards.

Before the show, Langley sat down with Billboard to discuss all things country music, and she had something to say about the future of the genre over the next two to three years.

Women Are the Future of Country Music

Langley said, "There's so many talented women coming up right now. I'm so excited about what music's gonna look like in the next two to three years."

The "Be Her" singer then dropped her hands, got extra serious and added, "I mean, women are about to take over. I’m telling you that right now."

Langley’s prediction already seems to be coming true. She took home all seven ACM awards she was nominated for at the 2026 ACM Awards, proving that women are indeed taking over country music as we speak.

But the night wasn't all wins and celebrations for Langley, as she struggled to get through her Artist of the Year acceptance speech.

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"Today I was having a strange day. I don't know what it is about awards shows, but I have strange days," she said, most likely referring to the mental health struggles she admitted to dealing with ahead of the 2025 ACM Awards.

Read More: Ella Langley Is Leaning on God During Mental Health Struggles

But with another year under her belt and more friends in the industry, Langley had some emotional support backstage at this year's ACM Awards.

"I walked right in Lainey [Wilson]'s room and she hugged me and she started praying for me. And then all of the sudden here comes Miranda Lambert in her little pink hat," Langley continued.

"I would not be standing up here without the encouragement of so many women," she said.

When + Where Were the 2026 ACM Awards?

The 2026 ACM Awards took place at Las Vegas' MGM Grand Garden Arena. Shania Twain hosted the show.