Ella langley performs “Choosin’ Texas” at the 59th Annual CMA Awards (Photo Credit: Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
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After receiving an extraordinary number of nominations at the 2025 CMA Awards, it makes perfect sense that Ella Langley was also chosen to perform during the ceremony.
When the nominees for this year’s CMA Awards were revealed on September 8, Langley found herself at the top of the list. She, Lainey Wilson, and Megan Moroney tied for the most nods, with six each.
Langley earned nominations in the following categories:
- New Artist of the Year
- Music Video of the Year
- Musical Event of the Year
- Song of the Year
- Single of the Year
- Female Vocalist of the Year
Fans who tuned into the CMA Awards on November 19th got to see how many trophies Langley won. They also got the chance to witness a captivating live performance of her brand-new song, “Choosin’ Texas.”
The Comical Story Behind “Choosin’ Texas” – And How Miranda Lambert Got Involved
Langley released “Choosin’ Texas” on October 17. She also dropped a mesmerizing lyric video to accompany the tune.
“Choosin’ Texas” could be described as a slow, twangy song about unrequited love. But the track originated from a comical moment in Miranda Lambert‘s life.
Lambert told Langley that story, and a song was born.
“She told me she had a pet kangaroo, and she was doing something, she was driving down a dirt road, and the kangaroo was in the back seat, and the dog was in the front seat. There was a lot going on,” Langley detailed.
She added, “Then she got pulled over with a kangaroo in the passenger seat. And I was like, ‘This story’s as good as I thought it would be.’ She said the lady cop pulled her over, and she’s like, ‘Of course I have Texas plates on the back of my car.’”
After hearing Lambert’s story, the wheels started turning in Langley’s head.
“I was walking to the bathroom and I started to go, ‘She’s from Texas, I can tell by the way he’s two-steppin’ around the room.’ And Miranda was walking behind me to the bathroom, a separate one, and she was like, ‘Wait a minute…And from there, I think the song fell out in about 30 minutes…”
Langley teased her CMA Awards performance of “Choosin’ Texas” in the lead-up to the ceremony, telling Taste of Country:
“There’s going to be some dancing. You’re going to feel the longing the song describes — missing that person, whether it’s where they’re living or who they want to be with.”
She added, “It’s just a good ol’ country song with some two-steppin’ in it.”
Langley definitely delivered on her promise!
She embodied the Texas vibe by dressing in a cowgirl-inspired outfit featuring fringed red pants adorned with glittery stars. As she sang, two dancers performed a routine at the front of the stage that blended elements of two-step and country swing.
Fans have been loving “Choosin’ Texas” since its release in October. Now, following Langley’s performance at the CMA Awards, fans are sure to love it even more.
Watch Ella Langley sing her new song, “Choosin’ Texas,” at the 2025 CMA Awards in the video below.
