How Wynonna Judd Honors Late Mother: ‘Turning Pain into Purpose’
By Movieguide® Contributor
Country singer Wynonna Judd was presented the Country Champion Award at the 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards and honored her late mother, Naomi Judd.
Judd told E! News, “It means that my son and daughter,” Elijah, 28, and Grace, 27, “realize how hard I’ve worked, and it pays off.”
Although the loss of her mother was “devastating” for her and her family, Judd has channeled her grief into music.
Movieguide® previously reported, “Country music legend Naomi Judd died [on April 30, 2023] at the age of 76, just one day before her induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.”
“I’m turning my pain into purpose,” Wynonna declared at the awards show, “and I go on stage every night and I sing like it’s my last show because you never know.”
She shared a few memories and traditions she hopes to continue to honor her mother.
“She took us out in the woods and made us sit still in the cold and read us the Christmas story about Jesus,” Judd said, “I used to complain about having to go to the bathroom because we had so much clothes on.”
“I miss her. I’m going to miss those times. So I’m going to do it to my grandchildren,” she added.
On her Instagram, Judd explained what it means to her to be a champion.
“Well, I looked up the word today, ‘champion,’ and it means to battle for others,” she said. “And I think that’s important to remember, that this isn’t just about me. It’s wonderful to stand up here and sparkle and you know be, beautiful for an hour but tomorrow, I get on an airplane. I fly four hours to sing for one show. We work hard and so tonight means that I’ve survived 40 years.”
She added in another post, “Had the best night at the inaugural People’s Choice Country Awards! So grateful to still have a seat at the table of country music.”
Senior Vice President of NBCUniversal Entertainment, Cassandra Tryon, shared, “Wynonna is one of the most recognized and lauded performers in country music.”
“Not only is she incredibly talented, her selflessness and passion for putting the needs of others in the spotlight is unmatched. We can’t think of a better person to honor as our inaugural ‘Country Champion’ and to celebrate the holidays with across these two major country music events,” Tryon concluded.
“Wynonna will be celebrated for her decades-long career and heroic efforts around philanthropy and activism,” the statement added. “She has consistently used her public platform to create meaningful change and advocate for children.”
Movieguide® recently reported on Judd’s upcoming tour:
Wynonna Judd is ready to hit the road for her upcoming “Back To Wy” tour.
“Two words…NUH-STALGIA,” she announced in an Instagram post. “I am thrilled to FINALLY announce that I’ll be hitting the road this fall, with the BACK TO WY Tour!!!!”
She continued, “We’re going to travel back to the 90’s, celebrating my start as a solo artist and performing my first TWO albums, ‘Wynonna’ and ‘Tell Me Why,’ top to bottom, back to back, in their entirety! This means we get to play the hits, the deep cuts, and everything in between.”
Judd said sharing this tour with her fans “means the world” to her and will “be such a trip down memory lane.”
“As I sit and listen to these two records, I’m flooded with the memories that surrounded that time in my life,” she went on. “The fans held me up and supported me through a season of change in 1992, and I now see ‘herstory’ repeating itself. This music healed me then, and is healing me now. The circle of life continues…”
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