Who knew ten years ago that we’d have a female country star rise up to be as massive as Ella Langley currently is?
The currently 27-year-old Alabama native has experienced a meteoric rise to stardom, continuing to chart the top with her circulating hits like “Choosin’ Texas,” “Be Her,” and her Morgan Wallen duet, “I Can’t Love You Anymore.” But just a decade ago, she was a local high school teen with a dream, trying to win over the talent school judges by performing a staple of the era.
Was it even a 2016 talent show if at least one person didn’t perform Vance Joy’s 2013 hit, “Riptide”? The indie pop track never really took off astronomically on US radio at the time, yet it feels like everyone and their mother has covered this song at least once on the up and up.
This throwback video of Langley from her talent show back in May 2016 (posted from what appears to be her old YouTube account) shows the young aspiring star without her iconic bangs, rocking a side part and a glimmer of her budding vocals we’ve all come to love today. And for everyone commenting, “That doesn’t even look like Ella Langley,” I’d like to reiterate she was, in fact, 17, and unfortunately she didn’t come out of the womb looking like a celebrity.
There’s also no denying that her voice has developed A LOT over the past ten years (as expected), but you can still hear the potential in this cover. The local crowd reciprocated their support as an echo of cheers and applause erupted throughout Hope Hull’s Hooper Academy auditorium.
I don’t think anyone could’ve predicted that the teen would grow into one of the biggest names in country music and beyond today, currently continuing to sell out arenas on her 2026 Dandelion tour. Following the highly anticipated release of her second Koe Wetzel duet, “Jaded,” this past Friday, August 7, Langley also got to take the weekend off from touring before returning to the stage this Thursday, August 13, for three back-to-back shows across Texas.
For an optimal listening experience, check out Langley’s early cover of “Riptide” followed by her most recent release with Koe down below to witness just how far she’s come:
Tour Dates:
- 8/13 – Austin, TX Moody Center (#, &)
- 8/14 – Corpus Christi, TX Hilliard Center (#, &)
- 8/15 – Fort Worth, TX Dickies Arena (#, &)
- 8/20/26 – Green Bay, WI – Resch Center (#, %)
- 8/22/26 – North Little Rock, AR – Simmons Bank Arena (#, %)
- 8/28/26 – Auburn, AL – Neville Arena (#, &)
- 8/29/26 – Auburn, AL – Neville Arena (#, &)
- 9/10/26 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center (#, &)
- 9/11/26 – State College, PA – Bryce Jordan Center (#, &)
- 9/12/26 – Charleston, WV – Charleston Coliseum (#, &)
- 9/17/26 – Oxford, MS – SJB Pavilion (@, %)
- 9/18/26 – Athens, GA – Akins Ford Arena (@, %)
- 9/19/26 – Jacksonville, FL – Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena (@, %)
- 9/24/26 – Knoxville, TN – Food City Center (@, %)
- 9/25/26 – Columbus, OH – Schottenstein Center (@, %)
- 9/26/26 – Moline, IL – Vibrant Arena (@, %)
- 10/7/26 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre (@, &)
- 10/9/26- Tulsa, OK – BOK Center (@, %)
- 10/10/26 – Lubbock, TX – United Supermarkets Arena (@, %)
- 10/13/26 – Los Angeles, CA – The Greek Theatre (@, %)
- 10/14/26 – Los Angeles, CA – The Greek Theatre (@, %)
- 10/29/26 – Des Moines, IA – Casey’s Center (@, &)
- 10/30/26 – Lincoln, NE – Pinnacle Bank Arena (@, &)
- 10/31/26 – Saint Paul, MN – Grand Casino Arena (@, &)