This American country music singer has had a successful career. She stands as one of the most acknowledged and decorated country musicians in history. She doesn’t only sing country music; she lives it, too.
The girl was born Christina Claire Ciminella, but when she was 12, she changed her name. She said she made this change just because she could. Later, she confessed that the name was derived from her love for the song “Route 66.”
The girl, seen in this throwback picture, also loved big bands, which she used to inspire her name change. Some of the big bands she listened to growing up were Flagstaff, Ariz., and Winona. Winona was the story of her life, inspiring her to change her name. The singer is now a success story as much as her beginnings were challenging.
The country star didn’t have a glamorous childhood. When she was interviewed on National Public Radio (NPR), the host, Peter Sagal, revealed that the girl grew up “dirt poor.” Sometimes, she, her sister, and her mother had no dinner. Still, she went from poverty to being a successful singer who was invited to the White House.
The girl’s first musical act was as a duo, with her mom. However, she said she had been performing all her life because growing up in Appalachia, she had nothing to do, no TV, and no telephone. Her success had her touring with her mom when she was a teenager. The two performed together for 18 years.
with Daniel that caught the attention of the media.
Wynonna once described Daniel as an optimistic and positive man who had seen her at her worst and best but still loved her. When she was working to lose weight, she noted that she was doing it for Daniel and herself.
Despite the positive words she used to describe her ex-husband, their love life wasn’t that of peace and glory. Wynonna revealed that Daniel betrayed her when she found out that he had been charged with aggravated sexual battery against a minor.
When the singer found out that information, her first thought went to her kids. Wynonna is a mom of two: Elijah Judd, born in 1994, and Grace Pauline Kelley, born in 1996. She set strict boundaries to protect them from Daniel and explained to them why her ex-husband was kicked out of the house.
From this tough incident onwards, Wynonna asked herself what she could do to be better. She was devastated that she trusted Daniel with her life, but he betrayed her. The singer didn’t want to lose her ability to trust, so she acknowledged that the best revenge was moving forward with her life, which she did.
Losing Her Mother and Moving Forward
Naomi died on April 30, 2022, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The loss was so heartbreaking for Wynonna that she became depressed. She noted that she was struggling to come to terms with the way her mom died.
The singer had to make peace with the fact that she’d never know what caused Naomi, who suffered from a mental illness, to die the way she did. She recalled that her mom was a determined woman who never gave up as much as she was a single parent raising two girls on welfare and food stamps:
“So think about that and apply it to every stinking part of life, including death. With the same determination she had to live, she was determined to die.”
The singer could not understand how her mom was vulnerable yet strong. But she realized that sometimes these questions have no answers, so she chose to go back to making music, something she and her mom loved doing together.
Having gone back to making music, Wynonna faced difficulties when she struggled with vertigo. Going back to live performances was also not easy. She even admitted recently after a Country Music Awards performance that she was nervous on stage.
Still, the talented singer, who has won several CMA, Grammy, and Billboard Music awards, and earned a star on the Music City Walk of Fame in Nashville in 2007, pushed on.
Wynonna continues to mourn the devastating loss of her mother as she celebrates her through her music. She and Naomi were acknowledged by the Country Music Hall of Fame for changing country music’s direction. Wynonna also celebrates her mom’s life and legacy while holding on to what they shared with as much joy as she can.
