Ella Langley has defended her decision to cancel a sold-out concert in Tulsa, Oklahoma, after a warning about possible gunfire and bombs at the venue, saying no performance is worth risking a life.
The country singer addressed the decision during an emotional appearance in Lubbock, Texas, on Saturday night, a day after the show at the BOK Center was called off.
“A concert is not worth a human life,” Langley told the crowd, adding that she would make the same decision “10 billion times over”.
She said she had been responsible for a decision affecting thousands of people and was not prepared to gamble with their safety.
Tulsa police said officers searched the venue with bomb-sniffing dogs after receiving the warning, but found no credible threat. Police also said they had not recommended cancelling the performance.
Langley and her team nevertheless decided not to take any chances. She told fans she had considered cancelling Saturday’s show in Texas as well, but said her faith in Jesus gave her the courage to return to the stage.
The singer said she felt a sense that it was safe to perform and made clear that she did not intend to let fear determine her future.
Thanking fans for supporting her and her crew after the frightening events, Langley said she was “not going to live in fear”. She also indicated that the incident would not stop her from continuing to perform.
