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Idol's Kellie Pickler On Her CMA Breakdown
Two weeks ago at the CMAs, "American Idol" alum Kellie Pickler broke down in tears during a performance of her song, “I Wonder,” which tackles her relationship with her estranged mother, Cynthia Malone. Malone hasn't been in Pickler’s life since she was 2 years old.
As Kellie sang, “Oh, I hear the weather’s nice in California,” tears streamed down her face. She could barely get out the final words to the song: "Your little girl is off to Tennessee."
Last night, Kellie hit the red carpet at the American Music Awards where she was a presenter, and filled us in on why emotion got the best of her.
"That is a very personal song anyways. And so any time I am singing it is emotional, just the power of the lyrics. But that was the first time performing at an award show and being able to sing in Nashville, Tennessee on the CMA stage in front of my peers. You know you are looking out in the audience and seeing George Strait and Kenny Chesney. It is an amazing feeling. They are so overwhelming and it was such a magical moment for me."
Kellie told us writing and performing the song has been therapeutic for her.
"Absolutely. I think one big problem is bottling it up inside. I have done that for so long and being able to write it down on paper -- I have written so many songs that I probably never will record but it has helped me emotionally and mentally."
Regardless of her past personal struggles, including a strained relationship with her father as well, Kellie has achieved success in both music and television. After being booted from “Idol,” Pickler released her debut album, “Small Town Girl,” in October 2006. It was certified Gold for selling more than 500,000 copies. The singer also has a sitcom in development at Fox.
The message of "I Wonder" is loud and clear,
"In spite of everything that has happened, I made it and I want to inspire people in that way. No matter what kind of obstacle you have to overcome in life, you know we all have speed bumps on the road. You know it is about making the best of things and we can do it."
Kellie says her greatest achievement is to be able to inspire others who are going through similar struggles.
"It is great and the greatest thing in return that has been given to me is the fans response to it. I love... I go to the grocery store or I am pumping gas and I have a fan come up and say that they relate to the song, I think everyone has their own little story and they relate to me differently. So, it is really cool to know you have that intimate connection with people."
I cant even begin to express my personal feelings with that song, "I Wonder". It puts me in tears every time. I am 48 years old and closed my relationship with my mother over 15 years ago due to extreme personal issues over her divorce with my father and her new husband now. Kelly, I praise you for your strength to this day! I live with the same pain as you each and every day, to this day. You go girl - You are my hero and I hope at some point we can both make peace with it and continue our lives as they are meant to be - Joyous and fulfilling with our Mothers involved!!!
What a great story, this girl is going to go far in life no matter what path she takes. Great singer.
Why would you morons think emotion got the best of Kellie when she preformed this song. She sang this song brilliantly just as she always does. Or is it you just haven't seen a performer put so much emotion into their songs the way Kellie does. Because this isn't the only song or performance that Kellie has shed tears while singing. You'll also find her putting the same amount of emotion into all her songs whether they be sad ones or fun ones that get music fans on their feet dancing. And when she's not performing one of her songs she has concert goers laughing at her incredible wit. That's why Kellie's shows are one of the most popular in country music today, so much so that her concerts constantly sell out or break attendence records, one could say her shows are like a "carnival ride" the way she takes fans on an emotional rollercoaster ride like she does. That's why her peers at the CMA's found themselves giving Kellie a standing ovation for her performance, because they recognize the same powerful performance that so many music fans already have known, leaving many other singers looking "so small" with their lackluster performances.
Kellie didn't have a breakdown, as she stated, she was only performing her music. Too bad those at the CMA's felt the need to fool with the lighting at the beginning of this performance but I'd expect as much from an award show that gave the Horizon Award to someone who was so much less deserving. Not that it mattered because everyone saw who truly is the hottest new singer in country music today and that's none other than Kellie Dawn Pickler.