Wynonna Judd reveals how touring has helped her find 'meaning' in tragic death of mom Naomi Judd
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE: Wynonna Judd, whose mother, Naomi Judd, died by suicide, has reportedly had difficulty adjusting to life without her. Wynonna recently spoke out about how challenging it was for her to carry on with her life in the wake of the tragic loss.
In an interview with Good Morning America on Monday, November 7, the 58-year-old singer shared how the opportunity to embark on a new tour as the surviving member of The Judds helped her find meaning in the tragedy of her mother's suicide at the age of 76. Even though Wynonna said she's making an effort to get over her loss, she still wishes her mother could be on stage with her as they perform their duets. Wynonna shared how the loss of her mother was too significant for her to overlook. "I think sometimes we think, 'Oh, snap out of it, it's not that big of a deal.' No, it is a big deal," she stated.
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Wynonna also emphasized how others have tried to comfort her, but their efforts have just served to highlight Naomi's absence. "So many people want to say, you know, 'She's in a better place,'" she said. "I don't want her to be in a better place. I want her to be with me!"
The country music icon also makes it clear that going on tour once more and singing songs that she might have sung with her mother are ways for her to move on and recover. She grips her microphone firmly and says, "I'm so glad I decided to do this tour," to the audience.
Wynonna revealed her belief that there are actually six stages of grief, as opposed to the conventional five, which are generally believed to end with acceptance, as she wrapped up her interview. "This sixth stage is finding meaning in all of it," she said. Kimberly Schlapman, one of the group's singers, points out that Wynonna's most recent shows have also been therapeutic for her audience.
On Thursday, November 3, Wynonna performed at Middle Tennessee State University's Murphy Center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. A star-studded lineup of country music performers, including Martina McBride, Brandi Carlile, Ashley McBryde, and Kelsea Ballerini, joined her to stand in for her late mother.