Country star Miranda Lambert surprised fellow singer-songwriter Ella Langley on April 25 with her very first Academy of Country Music (ACM) award.
“I’m here to tell you how proud I am of you for being the top-nominated artist in the Academy of Country Music Awards this year,” Lambert, 41, said in the recording, which was shown on the big screen alongside the stage.
“You are my friend, first and foremost, a fellow dog rescue advocate, you are a co-writer, you are my soul sister in country music, and a partner in crime. But I’m also here to tell you some bigger news: You, my friend, have won ‘New Female Artist of the Year.’”
Lambert took home the same award in 2007, just two years after releasing her debut studio album, “Kerosene.”
Langley appeared visibly shocked by the news, saying “God bless America” before launching into her next song.
The 25-year-old country newcomer, who hails from Hope Hull, Alabama, later expressed gratitude to her fans and her entire team for all their support.
“Every day of my life, I’ve prayed about this and thought about it,” she said after her show while holding the trophy.
“I’m so grateful for the team I have around me. I’m just really grateful to have fans that are listening to the music and see that it is truth, and that I’m just a real-life human being going through life like the rest of everyone else.”
Langley released her debut album, “Hungover,” in August 2024. The record featured her breakout hit “You Look Like You Love Me,” a duet with country singer Riley Green.
The song garnered Langley her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 chart as well as the 2024 CMA Award for “Musical Event of the Year.”
With eight nods, including “Female Artist of the Year,” “Single of the Year,” and “Song of the Year,” Langley received the most nominations at the 2025 ACM Awards.
The 60th award show, hosted by actress and singer Reba McEntire, will take place at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, on May 8.
