Ella Langley Stands by Decision to Cancel Tulsa Concert After Security Threat: ‘A Concert’s Not Worth a Human Life’

Ella Langley has spoken out about her decision to cancel her Tulsa, Oklahoma concert on Friday, Oct. 9, following a reported security threat. She returned to the stage the following night in Lubbock, Texas, where she explained that she stood by her difficult decision to cancel the sold-out show at the BOK Center.

Approximately two hours before the show was scheduled to begin, the country music hitmaker took to Instagram to share a statement with fans, letting them know that there was a “serious security threat involving the safety of my fans, the venue staff, and my team.”

According to News 9, officers conducted a preliminary sweep of the BOK Center with K-9 units and found “no indication of a threat” after receiving a “false bomb threat.” The department also clarified that it had not recommended canceling the show. Langley still decided it was best to cancel, reusing to put anyone in danger. She apologized to fans for the difficult decision, acknowledging the time, travel, money and planning many had invested in attending the sold-out concert.

“I can’t tell you how sorry I am,” she wrote in her initial statement. “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.”

The following night the “Choosin’ Texas” singer stepped in front of fans once again and took a moment in her set at the United Supermarkets Arena to address the situation.

“I was put in charge of a decision for 15,000 people and I decided to make the decision that I could live with the rest of my life,” she told the crowd, according to Fox News.

Langley went on to emphasize that no concert is worth putting lives at risk. She confidently stated that she would make the same decision again if she had to.

“Because when it comes to keeping you safe and making sure that this show is a safe place for us to come and enjoy our music, then it will happen, but the second, it feels like it’s not, I’m not doing it. I’m not doing it because a concert’s not worth a human life. It’s not.”

“And so I would have made yesterday’s decision ten billion times over…And I’d do it tomorrow and I’d do it the next day,” she added.

@chilling_bee #ellalangleymusic #fyp #lubbocktexas ♬ original sound – Bee:)

Langley also revealed that the incident had her still feeling so unsettled by the following day, that she considered canceling Saturday’s performance as well. However, she says that her faith in Jesus Christ ultimately gave her the courage to return to the stage.

“While I’m grateful to get to do what I do, it’s not the most important thing in this life,” she stated. “What’s the most important thing in this life is the people around you that love you and that are there for you no matter what. The most important thing in this life is that you wake up every day and feel like, ‘You know what, I’m good today. I am so grateful to have woken up today,’” Langley continued.

“The most important thing in this life, number one, is your relationship with Jesus Christ,” she continued. “If it wasn’t for Him, I would have canceled this show tonight…I would have.”

The Alabama native also said she felt a “calling” and a “tug in my chest” letting her know that it was safe to proceed with the show.

“I decided to do it because of Him right there. And that’s the only reason.”

She then made it clear that the incident would not deter her from continuing to perform, saying she refuses to let fear keep her from doing what she believes she was called to do in life.

“We’re going to put on music and get to do this for the rest of our lives. And I know that. I know because this is my calling. This is the thing that I was called to do, and I’m going to continue doing it. Nobody is going to take me out of it or scare me out.”

The singer also thanked fans for showing up to support her in Lubbock, even though the events in Tulsa had been nerve-wracking and scary for everyone involved. She expressed how grateful she was to be back onstage and reminded the crowd how much performing means not just to her, but also her band and crew.

“I know yesterday was scary, it was scary for all of us,” she acknowleged. “But we’re just so grateful to be playing this show tonight. We’re so grateful and we will never take this for granted. We love it, we love what we do. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

“Tonight I can tell that y’all knew that I’ve needed what you’ve given me. And this band and this crew — you knew that we needed this show tonight, so thank you so much for giving it to us,” Langley added in conclusion.

This weekend’s shows were scheduled as part of Ella Langley’s The Dandelion Tour in support of her second studio album, Dandelion. The arena tour continues this week with back-to-back shows in Los Angeles, CA on October 13 and 14.