Country music fans are fiercely protective of Dolly Parton, and rising star Ella Langley is learning that the hard way!
On October 21, the biggest names in music gathered for the highly anticipated TV special, CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton. The 27-year-old “Choosin’ Texas” singer was chosen to deliver one of the night’s most important moments: a cover of Dolly’s iconic 1973 hit, “Jolene.”
Ella looked absolutely stunning on stage at Belmont’s Fisher Center. She rocked a flowing gown with glittering sleeves and wore her hair in an elegant updo. But despite the glamorous setup and her massive recent Billboard success, her performance is drawing some heavy criticism from viewers online.
While it is unclear exactly what fans are so upset about, the harsh backlash comes at a very stressful time for the young singer. Just a few weeks ago, Ella was forced to abruptly cancel her Tulsa concert due to a terrifying bomb threat.
On top of that, Ella recently opened up to her fans about the heavy toll of public scrutiny. During a concert in Ohio, she confessed that being constantly judged for her appearance and music made her question if she could even handle the spotlight.
Covering a legend is never easy, especially when emotions are still running high. Fans have been holding Dolly’s legacy extra close to their hearts ever since her sister Stella revealed the country queen’s heartbreaking final request.
Despite the harsh critics, Ella stood her ground on a stage shared with superstars like Carrie Underwood, Katy Perry, and Reba McEntire.
Did you watch Ella Langley’s tribute to Dolly Parton? Do you think the internet criticism is unfair? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!