Country music star breaks down when accepting ACM award: ‘Thank you to the women’
It was quite a night at the Academy of Country Music Awards.
Liam Carter 
The 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards belonged to Ella Langley. It was a massive night for the star, who dominated the stage and captured the hearts of fans and peers alike.
A Night of Recognition
Langley’s big night kicked off when she took home the award for Song of the Year for her crossover hit, “Choosin’ Texas,” presented by Michael Bublé. She expressed genuine gratitude to her supporters during the speech, noting, “I’m not at a loss for words very often. Thank you to the fans. I don’t know why you latched on to this song but thank you for doing it.”
Her momentum didn't stop there. Less than an hour later, she returned to the stage to collect the trophy for Single of the Year for the same hit track. She also celebrated a collaborative win alongside Riley Green, as their duet, “Don’t Mind if I Do,” was named Music Event of the Year.
Celebrating Female Empowerment
The highlight of the evening came when Langley was honored as the ACM Female Artist of the Year. Visibly emotional, the singer’s voice cracked as she stepped to the microphone to deliver an impassioned speech centered on the women who paved her way.
“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 shared with the audience. “I would not be standing up here without the encouragement of so many women.”
Reflecting on a day she described as “strange,” Langley emphasized how vital that female support system has been for her career. “Thank you to the women,” she stated. “I would not be standing up here without the women. Thank you.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report. For more updates, visit 205focus.com.
