Taylor Swift Single Ends Ella Langley Record Hot 100 Streak

Taylor Swift reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with her new single Patient Zero, replacing Ella Langley at the top slot. Holler and Rolling Stone both reported that the new single ended a 24-week run at number one for Langley song Choosin Texas. [1][3]

Rolling Stone reported that Patient Zero marks the 16th song by Swift to reach number one on the chart. It is her fourth number one song of the year, following The Fate of Ophelia, Opalite, and I Knew It, I Knew You. The track comes from the release The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore. [3]

The 24-week reign for Choosin Texas had been active since February, according to Rolling Stone. Holler reported that the extended run broke multiple chart records and demonstrated the growing reach of country music. [1][3]

Separately, Langley is set to perform in a Country Music Association tribute to Dolly Parton, according to IMDb and Consequence. Consequence reported that the two-hour telecast will air on October 21, 2026, featuring artists such as Zac Brown, Reba McEntire, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Darius Rucker, and Kelsea Ballerini. [6][7]