Surprise Wins, Star Power & A Dash of Reba: Ella Langley & Riley Green Steal the Spotlight Ahead of 2025 ACM Awards
You know that feeling when you're not even at the awards show yet and you already win? Yeah, Ella Langley and Riley Green are living that dream.
The dynamic duo lit up the stage at Country Thunder in Tampa, Florida, on Friday night, May 2, but it wasn’t just their electrifying performance that stole the show—it was a surprise announcement from none other than country legend Reba McEntire that had jaws dropping and fans cheering.
🎬 “You Look Like You Love Me” — their chart-topping, boot-stomping duet — snagged the 2025 ACM Award for Visual Media of the Year, and nobody saw it coming. The kicker? Reba dropped the bombshell during Green’s set via a surprise video message. That’s right, Reba freaking McEntire interrupted the concert to deliver the good news herself!
"Sorry to interrupt, but I have some big news," Reba teased in her signature warm Southern drawl. "Congratulations to Ella and Riley! Can't wait to celebrate with you both in Frisco!"
Fans at the festival went wild, and both artists were visibly emotional. You could feel the excitement ripple through the crowd as the video played out on the big screen.
And here's the cool part: Ella Langley wasn't just one-half of the performing duo — she also directed the music video that earned them this award. So she’s walking away with double honors: one as the artist and another as the director. That’s some serious multi-talent on display.
But hold up — that’s not even the end of it for Ella.
Just a week ago, she found out she’d won her first-ever ACM Award — and again, it came as a surprise during a live set! This time it was at Rock the Country in Knoxville, Tennessee, and the bearer of good news was another superstar: Miranda Lambert. In a heartfelt video message, Lambert — who won the same award herself 18 years ago — congratulated her “soul sister in country music and partner in crime” on being named New Female Artist of the Year.
🔥 Now that’s how you break into the big leagues.
With two ACM Awards already in the bag before the big night, Ella Langley is heading into the 60th Annual ACM Awards as the most-nominated artist — and fans are buzzing. She’s still in the running for Female Artist of the Year, Single of the Year, Song of the Year, and Music Event of the Year — all thanks to the magnetic, barroom magic that is “You Look Like You Love Me.”
If you haven't heard that track yet, here’s a quick breakdown of what you're missing:
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🎶 Flirty and twangy with a down-home barroom vibe
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💃 Perfect duet chemistry between Langley and Green
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📈 Climbed to No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart
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🚀 Hit No. 7 on Hot Country Songs and No. 30 on the Billboard Hot 100
It’s got all the elements of a country smash: raw vocals, playful back-and-forth, and that hook that just won’t quit. The track has not only ruled the charts — it’s ruled the hearts of country fans across the U.S.
Now let’s talk logistics.
🗓️ The 2025 ACM Awards are set to stream live globally on Thursday, May 8 at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT. You can catch all the action from the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, exclusively on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch.
So grab your popcorn and maybe a cold one — this year’s show is expected to run about two and a half hours, and if these early surprises are any indication, it’s gonna be one heck of a ride.
Now, let’s rewind a bit and appreciate the bigger picture.
The Academy of Country Music Awards is no rookie show — it’s been around since 1966, making it the longest-running country music awards show in the industry. That’s nearly six decades of boots, ballads, and unforgettable performances.
And Ella Langley? She’s making history just by being in the mix like this. Not only is she the most-nominated artist this year, but she’s also one of the rare few who’s been able to snag wins before the red carpet even gets rolled out.
💥 Quick Recap of Ella Langley’s 2025 ACM Status:
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✅ New Female Artist of the Year — WINNER
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✅ Visual Media of the Year (with Riley Green) — WINNER
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🏆 Female Artist of the Year — NOMINATED
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🏆 Single of the Year — NOMINATED
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🏆 Song of the Year — NOMINATED (as artist & songwriter)
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🏆 Music Event of the Year — NOMINATED
Let that sink in for a moment. She’s not just turning heads — she’s setting the pace for everyone else.
As for Riley Green, he’s no stranger to the spotlight either. The Alabama native has been steadily climbing the country ladder with his smooth vocals and authentic Southern grit. Pairing up with Langley might just be his most powerful collaboration yet.
And let’s not forget the magic of Reba McEntire, who’s hosted the ACMs a staggering 18 times. That’s right — eighteen. When she tells you you’ve won, it’s not just news, it’s a full-on country music milestone. The fact that she took the time to record a personal message and surprise these artists live in front of thousands? That's just classic Reba — graceful, iconic, and always full of surprises.
So what’s next?
With the awards show right around the corner and the buzz at an all-time high, all eyes are on Frisco, Texas. Whether Langley walks away with more trophies or not, she’s already had a breakout year for the books. And let’s be real — with talent like hers, this is just the beginning.
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