Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media Inc.
“I adore Ella — she feels just like a sister to me…”
Lainey Wilson Pays It Forward by Mentoring Ella Langley
Lainey Wilson’s journey from living in a camper trailer as a hopeful singer-songwriter to winning ACM and CMA Entertainer of the Year has been shaped by the encouragement of trailblazing women in country music. Along the way, stars like Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, and Wynonna Judd shared guidance that helped her weather the highs and lows of the industry. Those lessons, she says, were invaluable as she grew into a GRAMMY winner and a proud Grand Ole Opry member.
Now at the peak of her own career, Wilson is taking rising artist Ella Langley under her wing, determined to extend the same kind of mentorship she once received. The Louisiana native believes it’s essential to share what she’s learned with the next generation of performers.
“Miranda was that mentor for me, and I know she’s playing that role for Ella too,” Wilson told Country Nights Live with Bev Rainey. “I think about all the wisdom passed down to me from women like Miranda, Reba, and Wynonna. They’ve lived through so many of the same challenges, just in different times.”
For Wilson, paying that forward isn’t optional. “You’ve got to share that wisdom — you can’t keep it to yourself. I’ve been lucky to have people pour their knowledge into me. And I love Ella — she feels like a sister to me. She’s one of the most talented people in this business, and I just want to be someone she can lean on if she ever needs me.”
Langley, who recently postponed all of her August shows for personal reasons, has leaned on that support system. Earlier this year, she admitted she struggled with feelings of imposter syndrome during her breakout moment at the ACM Awards.
“I was just talking to Lainey and Miranda about it,” Langley shared. “I told them, ‘How can I be in the same category as you two? That doesn’t make sense.’”
Both Wilson and Lambert were quick to reassure her — just as other female country icons once did for them.
