Ella Langley has said public criticism over her appearance, voice and music made her question whether she was strong enough for fame.
The 27-year-old country singer addressed the scrutiny during a recent performance in Columbus, Ohio, telling the audience that she had faced more opinions about herself over the past year than ever before.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had more opinions on myself in my life than I have in this last year. The way I look, the way I speak, the way I dress, the way I sing, the way I write,” Langley said.
Ella Langley says criticism initially affected her
Langley acknowledged that the attention had initially been difficult to handle, despite her love of performing.
“At first it bothered me, I won’t even lie,” she said. “I signed up to sing music and I love to do what I do, but if this is what it’s going to be like the whole time then shit, I don’t know if I’m fucking strong enough for this, Lord, I don’t know.”
The singer said her outlook changed when she reflected on the person she had been before finding major success.
“That’s the girl that rode in the 15-passenger van night after night after night,” Langley said. “She rode in a Honda Accord night after night after night, chasing her dream, living on bar food, living on tip jar money.”
She added: “So I’m going to tell you right now, I am proud of that girl that everybody seems to be picking on a little bit.”
Langley’s remarks come during a significant period in her career. Her song “Choosin’ Texas” recently became the longest-running number one song in Billboard Hot 100 history, spending 23 weeks at the top of the chart.
