Ella Langley is undoubtedly having a major moment in country music right now and that momentum was recognized in a big way last night when she was honored with the Powerhouse Award at Billboard’s Women in Music event.
The event took place at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California, bringing together a powerful lineup of female artists and industry leaders for a night dedicated to celebrating some of the most influential voices in music today.
When it was time for Langley to be recognized, Lainey Wilson, a recipient of the Billboard Rulebreaker Award in 2023, stepped up to the stage and presented her fellow country superstar with this year’s Powerhouse award.
“She comes from the kind of place where you learn early how to work hard, tell the truth, and stand ten toes down in who you are and the stories you were born to tell. That’s what makes this Powerhouse Award feel so right,” Wilson stated.
“That right there is a powerhouse if I have ever seen one, Ella, come on over here, girl,” she added before inviting Langley to join her on stage. The Alabama native began her speech by joking that she had “procrastinated” writing down what she would say in the moment, so instead she spoke from the heart.
“Lainey, I love you so much. I’m so grateful you’re here. Thank you for sitting at dinner with me. I love you so much. Thank you, Billboard, for recognizing country music in this way. And I mean, Lord, it’s just crazy to see what’s happening and thank you for having me here. I’m so grateful for the women on my team. My team is predominantly women, so I’m very grateful for women tonight because I would not be standing here without them at all,” Langley gushed.
She went on to name several members of her team, including her manager, her photographer and her stylist for all the do to help in her life each day. Closing out her speech, Langley reflected on what the Powerhouse Award means to her, sharing that it represents “strength,” “resilience,” and the determination to keep pushing forward for a dream she’s had her entire life.
“It’s coming back when you don’t necessarily want to, but you feel like I’m going to. I’m going to fight for this. I’m going to fight for this thing that I love to do. And this is something I’ve wanted to do my whole entire life. There hasn’t been another dream for me. There wasn’t a day that I wanted to be anything else. So to get this award, I think all those years of kicking down doors to me, powerhouse didn’t go to waste, I guess. And here it is with me winging it. Thank you so much, Billboard,” she added.
Later on in the evening, Langley treated guests to a performance of her chart-topping “Choosin Texas.”
The praise from her friend Wilson started on the red carpet, prior to presenting the award. In a conversation with Good Morning America, she emphasized how “important” it is as women to hold hands, show support and always lift each other up. Wilson also expressed her admiration for the “Choosin’ Texas” singer/songwriter and the impact she’s making on this generation of country music.
“When I found out that Ella wanted me to be here to present her the Powerhouse Award, I was like, ‘I’ll be there. I’ll be there in a heartbeat.’ I’m so proud of her. I feel like what she is doing and has done is just, it’s unreal and she is kicking down barn doors and I’m just proud of my friend.”
When asked what, in her eyes, makes Langley a powerhouse and deserving of the award, Wilson responded, “Her grit, her grind. She has this fire about her that you kind of have to have in this business, but she’s got a little bit of that extra, that thing, you know what I’m saying? When she walks into a room, she’s not just walking into it. She is kicking the door open.”
In addition to Ella Langley, the night also honored female acts across various other genres including KPop Demon Hunters (EJAE, AUDREY NUNA, and REI AMI), The Beaches, BINI, Kehlani, Laufey, Mariah the Scientist, Tate McRae, Teyana Taylor, Thalía, and Zara Larsson, and Executive of the Year Beth Matthews.
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