Ella Langley is quickly becoming one of Nashville’s most powerful artists, and her storied track record invites inevitable comparisons to Taylor Swift. Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” spent 14 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100, tying records set by Whitney Houston“I will always love you” and Mariah Carey“We belong together.”
The Alabama-born singer also surpassed Swift’s “We Are Never Getting Back Together” for the longest-running No. 1 by a female country artist, prompting one industry insider to speculate that Swift’s recent return to her country roots was more calculated than coincidence. There is, however, no evidence of personal animosity between the two singers.
Ella Langley reacts after breaking Taylor Swift’s record
“Choosin’ Texas” surpassed Swift’s 2012 hit in May, becoming the longest-running hit by a female country artist. When asked what this career-changing achievement meant, Langley offered a typically colorful response. “It means my head is spinning like an owl,” she says. “Have you ever seen that? It’s pretty scary. It’s crazy. I’m just excited.”
The success extended beyond a single song. Three Langley tracks currently hold top 10 positions on the Billboard Hot 100. His new collaboration with Morgan Wallen“I Can’t Love You Anymore”, rose to number 7. The duo also became the first country duo to reach the top 10 since Dolly Parton And Kenny Rogers.
Earlier this year, Langley became the first woman to simultaneously lead the Billboard Hot 100, Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts with the success of “Choosin’ Texas.” The accompanying music video has reportedly racked up nearly 57 million views since its arrival in April.
Has Taylor Swift returned home to reclaim her “throne”?
The similarities between Swift and Langley are hard to ignore. Both arrived in Nashville as ambitious teenagers with guitars before using country music to reach audiences far beyond Tennessee.
Swift’s latest single, “I Knew It, I Knew You,” which serves as the theme to “Toy Story 5,” marks a return to her country roots. One industry insider speculated that Langley’s extraordinary success may have influenced the decision.
“Taylor could never let someone else take the country’s throne,” the source told the Daily Mail. “She wanted to make it clear that if there was one woman who was going to dominate the country charts, it wasn’t going to be Beyoncé or Ella,” the source added.
There is no evidence that Swift released the song because of Langley or that the two women were arguing. Still, another insider claimed that some country listeners haven’t forgotten Swift’s transition to pop music. “Radio programmers must say they are excited about ‘I Knew It, I Knew You’ and must immediately play her song, it’s Taylor. But country fans still remember she’s gone,” the source claimed.
Ella Langley would have benefited from avoiding politics
Langley’s approach to country stardom differs from that of several other prominent women in the genre. Swift has publicly supported Democratic candidates and causes, while Kacey Musgraves and Maren Morris expressed progressive views. Kelsea Ballerini also advocated for LGBTQ rights and women’s issues.
Langley, by contrast, has largely avoided public political statements. One source speculated that her decision to keep these opinions private helped her connect with a broader section of the mainstream country audience. “Ella wins because she panders to country music fans,” the insider claimed. “She plays it safe. She doesn’t speak out on important issues like Kelsea Ballerini, Kacey Musgraves or Maren Morris.”
However, Langley has spoken openly about his Christian faith. In an April conversation with Theo Von, she said reading the Bible “really centers me and reminds me of what’s important in my life.”
The country star always believed music was his destiny
Langley credits his Alabama upbringing with developing his tenacity and musical abilities. “I grew up in rural Alabama between two rowdy brothers, so I spent a lot of my childhood trying to prove that I was as fearless and tough as them,” she said.
“My band or anyone who knows me will tell you that sometimes I look more like a guy than a girl, but I think women can still be tough, direct and strong, without apologizing for who they are or what they think,” Langley added.
Langley briefly studied forestry at Auburn University before abruptly leaving Alabama for Nashville in July 2019. Music, she insisted, was always the only future she imagined. “When I was a kid, I never thought I would become a veterinarian or a police officer,” Langley said. “I felt like I was going to do this. I don’t know when it’s going to happen, but it’s going to happen.”
Ella Langley ignores the noise surrounding her personal life
As her career grew, Langley’s image evolved from hunting and camouflage photography to a refined 1970s-inspired aesthetic with thick bangs, cowboy boots and flowing sleeves. “This work is not something you can do halfway,” she said in May. “You have to go all out.”
His growing profile has also generated romantic speculation involving Riley Green and Megan Moroney. However, all three artists claimed they were single and Langley never confirmed a relationship publicly.
Langley may face comparisons to Swift, but her record-breaking run suggests she’s building her own national empire.
