NEED TO KNOW
-
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Ella Langley reflects on her rise to fame and how she balances her personal life with her burgeoning music career.
-
In my album Dandelion 2026 showcases her Alabama roots, combining elements of country, folk and pop.
-
In partnership with Chase Sapphire Reserve, the dinner was held on the Grand Ole Opry stage, with a focus on good food, good music, and interaction with fans.
It's butterfly season, and Ella Langley is certainly getting her wings.
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE ahead of a special dinner and intimate acoustic performance at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry—in partnership with Chase Sapphire Reserve—Langley opens up about the meteoric year of success she's experienced as one of today's biggest and brightest stars.
«"I think I've dedicated my entire life to this craft and this work," shares the 27-year-old artist. "And now that I'm here and gaining this experience, I'm also looking forward to the opportunity to one day settle down and get on with my life.".
Langley's rise to fame may seem overnight, but the artist, who grew up in Hope Hall, Alabama, has been honing her craft for years. After moving to Nashville around 2019, she wrote songs constantly, took on any gigs, and worked diligently to establish important connections with songwriters and musicians in the music scene.
Ella Langley on May 17, 2026, in Las Vegas. Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty.
Tracks like "Country Boy's Dream Girl" and "Damn You" helped her establish herself in 2022, and her 2024 collaboration with Riley Green, "You Look Like You Love Me," became a massive multi-platinum phenomenon, sweeping awards shows that year and the following. But all of this was just a prelude to what was to come with Dandelion album , her 2026 masterpiece, which included the record-breaking hit "Choosin' Texas.".
«"I'm just getting used to this new life where so many people are interested in what I do," the singer tells PEOPLE about her outlook on life and her career in general. "My goal has always been for people to listen to my music. But now they're also paying attention to me as a person, and that's exciting.".
However, the concept of increasing visibility and being open with fans can be a bit challenging for an artist whose music is based entirely on deeply personal experiences.
«"All my songs are written from the heart and are very personal to me," she explains. "So it's difficult to convey the full depth of their meaning without being able to explain it at least a little.".
But even as her music continues to reshape the global perception of country music, Langley insists she refuses to change as a person. "This is the same version of me no matter where you meet me or see me," she says. "That's how you'll see me.".
The same deep-rooted authenticity defined philosophy Dandelion from the very beginning. "I wanted them to come back and learn a little bit about where I came from," Langley emphasizes, noting how the album's 18 tracks transport listeners to her Southern home.
Although Dandelion effortlessly blending elements of country, folk, pop and more, the project's underlying thread is a sense of place and time, something Langley focused on as she approached the recording process with a clear mind and a renewed perspective after the album's release. Hungover in 2024.
Don't miss any news - subscribe to free daily newsletter PEOPLE , to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human stories.
«"'Dandelion' was the first song I wrote, and I really approached each one of them with the mindset of, 'This is what this album is about. This is the sonic influence for this album,'" she explains. "I mean, I thought everything through so carefully from the very beginning that, I don't know, I was very specific about everything.".
«"'Froggy Went A Courtin'' and 'Amazing Grace' were the first two songs I learned to sing," Langley recalls of her childhood, emphasizing that her goal is to "take fans back to Alabama a little bit and show them what it was like.".
Although she clearly outlined what she ultimately wanted to achieve from Dandelion , Rather than overthinking each line, Langley often favored spontaneity and simplicity on this project. She says songs like "Be Her" came together quickly.
«"This song took 30 minutes to write, and that's because we didn't try too hard. We didn't sit around trying to outdo ourselves with every line; we just put it in if it felt right," she shares. "The same goes for songs like 'You & Me Time' or 'Broken'—songs on this album that I wanted people to be able to sing along to, even if you've only heard them once. By the end of the song, you might even be able to sing along.".
Although «"Dandelion"» effectively captures all aspects of Langley's creative development to date, she hopes it will also serve as a kind of time capsule years from now.
«"I hope they hear that this is a genuine piece of work," she muses. "There were no mistakes on this record. There wasn't a single song that shouldn't have been there. Everything tells a story.".
Ella Langley at the Grand Ole Opry on Sunday, May 31. Photo by Chase Sapphire.
Target Dandelion – giving listeners music that helps them create memories—the same one that influenced her decision to partner with Chase for Dinner at the Grand Ole Opry, giving select fans the unique opportunity to dine on Michelin-starred cuisine at Nashville's Bastion restaurant and take home signature Tecovas boots while enjoying an acoustic set on country music's most iconic stage.
«"It's really important to me to work with people who allow me to be myself and truly showcase my talent in a way that feels natural to me. Chase certainly does that. And when you ask me to perform here at the Opry, it's hard for me to refuse," she shares of her collaboration.
Overall, while Langley adapts to the attention that comes with success, she doesn't pretend to understand everything.
«"I'm not a perfect person, and I don't know the answer," she admits. "I live practically every day of my life at random.".
But for a chart-topping artist Billboard , this is enough at this stage for everything to work out.
«"I just try to answer questions and do things in a way that one day, when I look back, I know I did it the way I thought was right," Langley says. "It's staying true to that that keeps me sane.".
The film "Dandelion"« is now available on all major streaming platforms.
Read the original article on People.