Country music artist Ella Langley has spoken candidly about an overwhelming "identity crisis" that led her to flee Nashville and retreat to her native Alabama. The 27-year-old singer, whose hit "Choosin' Texas" has held the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for 17 weeks, described feeling run down and needing to care for her "mind, body, and heart" as her career rapidly ascended.
Langley told fans she was experiencing depression, which she referred to as a "family disease," and battled imposter syndrome. To cope, she canceled shows last August and returned to her secluded waterfront home on Alabama's Lake Jordan, near her parents.
Her break proved inspirational, fueling songs for her new album, "Dandelion." The track "Loving Life Again" emerged from her time off, which she spent re-finding herself and reconnecting with her faith. The album also features "Froggy Went A-Courting," an old folk song she used to sing with her late grandfather, Roy.
Family members have highlighted the importance of Langley's Alabama upbringing to her success. Her aunt, Ruth Meek, told the Daily Mail that Langley, who grew up on a "red dirt road" in Hope Hull, Alabama, is authentic and her connection to her roots is palpable. Meek recalled Langley as a child always drawn to music, singing for family at gatherings and even performing in a church.
Langley's musical talent was nurtured from a young age in a modest home where family members often made music together due to financial constraints. Her grandfather, Roy, who instilled a love of music in her, died in 2012, before seeing his granddaughter's rise to fame.
Early Influences and Mentorship
Maury "Coach Pop" Popwell, Langley's former high school guitar teacher at Hooper Academy, noted her relentless work ethic. "She worked and worked at it. She was just one of these people that she wouldn't take no for an answer," Popwell said. Langley also excelled in dance, becoming a two-time state champion, and was described as a tomboy who enjoyed hunting and fishing.
After graduating from Hooper Academy in 2017, Langley briefly attended Auburn University before dropping out to pursue music in Nashville. She initially gained traction as a songwriter before securing a record deal. Her career trajectory included collaborations with established artists like Miranda Lambert, who co-wrote "Choosin' Texas" and co-produced "Dandelion."
Navigating Fame and Personal Life
Despite her professional achievements, Langley experienced significant pressure from her rapidly growing fame. Popwell suggested that seeing herself on stage with artists like Miranda Lambert and Morgan Wallen might have contributed to her feelings of not deserving her success. "I just can't imagine being in front of all these thousands of people the way she's doing now," he stated.
Langley's personal life has also drawn attention, with romance rumors swirling around collaborations with Riley Green and a brief relationship with "Farmer Wants a Wife" star John Sansone. She has since described herself as single and joking that she is "married to my job."
Her family has since purchased homes on Lake Jordan, a place locals call the "blue collar lake," where Langley has found a peaceful environment to recenter and write. Local realtor Dru Wilson described Langley and her family as "the sweetest, kindest people," emphasizing their desire for privacy as they navigate this demanding period. Langley has shared photos of herself enjoying Lake Jordan, a place that seems to offer solace and a connection to her home state.