The ACM Awards may shine with sequins, stars, and standing ovations—but behind the scenes, some of country music’s brightest voices are opening up about the emotional weight that can come with success.
Ella Langley, fresh off a big night at the ACMs, took to social media to admit that despite the wins, she was struggling with impostor syndrome and had just experienced “the hardest mental health week” of her life.
Ella shared in a recent interview, “I won’t lie, this last week has been probably one of the toughest mental health weeks I’ve had in a long time. Which is crazy, because so many good things are happening. So many things I’ve prayed for and dreamed about.”
“I was actually just talking to Lainey and Miranda about this,” Langley went on to share. “I was like, ‘My imposter syndrome! What do you mean? How can I be in the same category as you two?’ That doesn’t make sense to me.”
Langley has been open about her mental health journey long before the spotlight found her. Back in 2021, while still an up-and-coming artist, she shared a song on TikTok called “White Noise,” inspired by her experiences with depression and anxiety. Earlier this year, she also told Country Now that “mental health and addiction” are both diseases that have deeply affected members of her family.
@ellalangleymusic1 Tag someone you think might need this song 🤍 #fyp#viral#xgamesmode#newmusic#roundofapplause ♬ original sound – Ella Langley
Meanwhile, Lauren Alaina shared her own vulnerable moment during the ACMs. Though she wasn’t at the awards this year, she took to Instagram from home, cheering on her friends—but also acknowledging some difficult emotions.
“The last couple of years have been a year of transition for me in music… and I just feel kind of left behind,” she shared in a heartfelt post.
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Comments poured in, including one from Sara Evans who wrote, “I totally relate and understand exactly how you’re feeling right now! Stay the course! Your voice is so amazing and undeniable! This season of life will change and you’ll be right back up there but you’ll be a superwoman bc you’ve had this sweet baby girl!”
It just proves that success doesn’t silence self-doubt—and you never know the battles someone might be fighting behind the spotlight.
