Ella Langley lit up the 2025 CMA Awards on Wednesday night with a spirited performance of her latest single, “Choosin’ Texas.” Backed by a star-studded set that evoked the Lone Star State, Langley’s pointed ballad — about her man’s new love — had the crowd two-stepping before she even strummed the first chord.
Fresh off winning three awards earlier in the evening for “You Look Like You Love Me,” Langley returned to the stage in red pants adorned with silver stars, performing in front of a massive red star while strumming her guitar. The performance, a perfect blend of storytelling and showmanship, captured the song’s longing:
“It doesn’t take a crystal ball to see / A cowboy always finds a way to leave,” she sang. “Drinkin’ Jack all by myself / He’s choosin’ Texas, I can tell.”
The song, co-written with Miranda Lambert — who waved a Texas flag from the audience — was released in mid-October as part of the rollout for Langley’s upcoming project, the follow-up to her Hungover album. Langley recently wrapped her Still Hungover Tour and joined Luke Bryan for a holiday duet of “Winter Wonderland.”
Speaking to Music Mayhem ahead of her CMA performance, Langley teased: “There’s going to be some dancing. You’re going to feel the longing the song describes — missing someone, whether it’s where they’re living or who they want to be with. It’s just a good ol’ country song with some two-steppin’ in it.”
Langley’s collaboration with Riley Green, “Don’t Mind If I Do,” also earned her a nod for Musical Event of the Year — the same category she won with Green last year for “You Look Like You Love Me.” Together, they also performed a classic country duet during the awards.
This year’s CMA Awards, hosted by Lainey Wilson at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, featured performances from Luke Combs, Riley Green, Megan Moroney, Kelsea Ballerini, Zach Top, Old Dominion, BigXThaPlug, and of course, Langley herself, who brought a touch of Texas charm to Music City.