January 11, 2023, marked what would have been Naomi Judd’s 77th birthday. It was a bittersweet day for Wynonna Judd and her sister Ashley. Instead of letting the sadness overshadow everything, Wynonna and her family decided to honor Naomi in a beautiful way. They threw a party filled with laughter, tears, and memories. “We invited all our close friends over,” Wynonna recalls with a warm smile. “They shared stories about her, laughed, cried, and even had some cake. It was such an incredible celebration of her life. And then, I stepped on stage and sang, which is what I do best.”
A Healing Farewell Tour
Wynonna recently wrapped up the last leg of The Judds: The Final Tour. For her, this wasn’t just another tour—it was a deeply personal journey that brought healing and liberation. “This tour was so much more than just performing,” Wynonna says, her voice filled with emotion. “It was a way to connect with our fans, say goodbye properly, and celebrate everything we achieved together. It’s given me the strength to move forward and be true to myself. I’ve always had a voice, but now, it feels louder and stronger than ever.”
Behind the Scenes: Wynonna’s Musical Journey
Growing up, Wynonna always dreamed of being a musician, but her path wasn’t exactly what her mom envisioned. Naomi had grand plans for a mother-daughter duo, but Wynonna had her own aspirations. “As a teenager, I was obsessed with Joni Mitchell,” Wynonna explains. “I wanted to sing like Linda Ronstadt or Bonnie Raitt. Our dreams were different, and at times, it created tension. Looking back, I realize how codependent I was. I often put her dreams ahead of mine.”
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When Naomi stepped away from performing in 1990 due to her battle with hepatitis C, Wynonna saw it as an opportunity to find her own identity. However, this decision didn’t come without challenges. “There’s a part of me that feels like I left her at the party,” Wynonna admits. “She became jealous whenever I went on tour. It was tough because she interfered in many aspects of my life, including my personal relationships. Even with my husband, Cactus Moser, she had strong opinions. She believed she was right, and I had to conform to her way of thinking. That was definitely a challenge, but it taught me so much about independence.”
Discovering Family Secrets
Life wasn’t always easy for Wynonna, especially when it came to family secrets. For years, she didn’t know that she had a different father than her sister, Ashley Judd. Wynonna’s biological father, Charles Jordan, passed away in 2000 before she could meet him. However, she did reconnect with her half-brother, Michael. “When I met Michael, we were both blown away by how much we looked alike,” Wynonna shares. “It was comforting to find this side of the family that was so normal and down-to-earth. I never told Naomi about them because I didn’t want to add more complexity to our relationship.”
When Naomi tragically took her own life last spring, Wynonna was devastated. “I had to seek counseling because I was completely shut down,” she reveals. “It was one of the hardest times of my life.”
A New Chapter
Amidst her grief, Wynonna found solace in the support of her friends and fans. One of her biggest supporters was none other than Dolly Parton. “Dolly told me straight up, ‘You need to get your butt out there and finish this tour,’” Wynonna says with a laugh. “She encouraged me to keep going and start anew. It was exactly what I needed to hear.”
The tour became a turning point for Wynonna. “Every night, the audience would light up their phones, and we’d all sing ‘Love Can Build a Bridge’ together,” she reminisces. “It was magical. Everyone in that room felt connected, like they were singing directly to me. It reminded me why I love performing so much. I’m so glad I showed up because it truly changed my life.”
