Ella Langley’s CMA Performance of “Choosin’ Texas” Just Became The Moment of the Night

Ella Langley didn’t just perform at the 2025 CMA Awards — she owned the stage. With a look dripping in Texas attitude and a voice full of grit and heart, Langley delivered one of the most memorable performances of the entire night.

Stepping into the spotlight dressed in head-to-toe cowgirl glamour, she wore fringed red pants sparkling with glittering stars — a modern, fiery twist on classic honky-tonk style. The moment she launched into “Choosin’ Texas,” the energy shifted. Two dancers swirled through a polished mix of two-step and country swing, transforming the stage into a mini western dance hall. It wasn’t just a song — it was a full-blown moment.

And judging by the cheers echoing across Nashville, Ella Langley just had her official CMA breakthrough.

One of the Most-Nominated Artists of the Night

Going into the show, Langley was already a major name to watch. When the nominees were announced on September 8, she was tied at the top with Lainey Wilson and Megan Moroney — each earning six nominations.

Ella Langley’s 2025 CMA nominations included:

• 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

With that kind of recognition, it was no surprise that she earned a performance slot during the November 19 ceremony. Fans tuning in didn’t just see how many awards she took home — they witnessed a spellbinding debut of her newest release, “Choosin’ Texas.”

The Hilarious Story Behind “Choosin’ Texas” — And Miranda Lambert’s Role

Released on October 17, “Choosin’ Texas” quickly became a fan favorite. Though the song carries the sound of a slow, twangy heartbreak ballad, its origins are unexpectedly comedic.

The idea sparked from a story Miranda Lambert shared while writing with Langley — involving a pet kangaroo, a dirt road, a traffic stop, and, of course, Texas plates.

As Langley recalled:

“Miranda told me she had a pet kangaroo in the back seat and the dog in the front. Then she got pulled over. It was wild — and exactly the inspiration I didn’t know I needed.”

While walking to the bathroom, Langley began humming the now-iconic line:
“She’s from Texas, I can tell by the way he’s two-steppin’ around the room…”

Miranda stopped in her tracks. Thirty minutes later, the two had the song written.

A CMA Performance That Delivered Everything She Promised

Ahead of the show, Langley teased her performance to Taste of Country, saying:

“There’s going to be some dancing. You’re going to feel the longing — whether it’s missing a place or missing a person. It’s just a good ol’ country song with some two-steppin’ in it.”

And she absolutely delivered.

Her performance of “Choosin’ Texas” blended longing, swagger, and movement — a powerful mix that showcased why she’s one of the genre’s fastest-rising stars. The dancers mirrored the emotion of the lyrics, weaving Texas swing into a visual story of love, memory, and roots.

Fans already loved “Choosin’ Texas” before the CMAs —
but after this performance, it’s poised to explode.

A Star Fully Stepping Into Her Moment

From her nominations to her confidence onstage, Ella Langley proved she’s not just a new artist — she’s a force. Her CMA performance marked a career-defining moment, the kind that fans and critics look back on and say:

That’s when she arrived.

Watch Ella Langley perform “Choosin’ Texas” from the 2025 CMA Awards below.