US country music star Ella Langley cancelled a sold-out concert following reports of a 'serious security threat'. The 27-year-old singer, known for the hit 'Choosin' Texas', was due to perform in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Friday when the threat was called in from an unknown source.
Star's statement to fans
Sharing the news on her Instagram Story and grid, Langley wrote: 'Due to a serious security threat involving the safety of my fans, the venue staff, and my team, the incredibly difficult decision was made to cancel tonight's show. This decision was made under the advisement of local authorities, the venue, and my security team.'
The star, who records in Nashville, Tennessee, continued: 'I know how much time, travel, money, and planning goes into coming to a show, and I can't tell you how sorry I am. This is not a decision that was made lightly. I was so looking forward to spending tonight with you, but your safety will always mean more to me than anything else. I refuse to put anyone in harm's way.'
Police response
According to Captain Richard Meulenberg from Tulsa Police Department, a person had placed a call threatening that 'great harm' would be done, including 'shots fired and bombs.' His team checked the venue at BOK Center prior to the show and did not find any threat. Officers with sniffer dogs searched the arena after the phone call came in, and he added: 'We could not find a credible threat.'
In a full statement shared to Langley's Instagram page from the BOK Center, fans were promised that additional information and refunds would be shared 'as soon as possible.' The venue's statement finished: 'We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we prioritise the safety of all involved.'
Rise to fame
Langley rose to prominence last year with her smash hit 'Choosin' Texas'. Spending 24 weeks in the Billboard Hot 100, it became the longest-running number one single in US music history, ahead of Mariah Carey, who previously spent 22 weeks at the top with 'All I Want for Christmas Is You'.
Her achievement also put her ahead of Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus's 'Old Town Road', which spent 20 weeks at the top of Billboard's streaming ranking, beginning in 2019. Reflecting on her growing fame last year, she told her crowd in Columbus, Ohio: '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 move. The way I sing. The way I write.'
She continued: 'At first, it bothered me. I won't even lie. At first, I was like, "What am I going to do about this? I don't know, if this is what I'm signing up to do, I don't know about this." That's the girl that rode in the 15-passenger van night after night after night. She rode in a Honda Accord night after night after night, chasing her dream, living on bar food, living on tip jar money.'
'She didn't have anything but a dream and the ability to get up and do it every single day. 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.'
