Wynonna Judd recently shared how she still feels the presence of her late mother, Naomi Judd, especially when she is performing. The 60-year-old singer and Naomi were known for their Grammy Award-winning mother-daughter country duo, The Judds, which they formed in 1980. Wynonna mentioned in a recent interview that she often looks up on stage because she sees angels and now she feels a connection with her late mother during her performances.
She also mentioned feeling closest to Naomi when she is spending time with her granddaughter, Kaliyah, who is the daughter of Wynonna’s 27-year-old daughter, Grace Kelley. Currently, Wynonna is taking care of Kaliyah as Grace has been dealing with some legal issues. Kaliyah carries a picture of her mother and grandmother and Wynonna often talks to her about them, reminding her how much they love her.
Naomi tragically died by suicide at the age of 76 in April 2022, just a day before she and Wynonna were set to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Wynonna reflected on how she has been coping with the loss of her mother two years after her passing. She mentioned that she has worked on forgiveness, anger, and frustration related to the suicide. Wynonna shared that her grief comes and goes, and she sees it as a gift in terms of the healing process.
The singer credited her faith for helping her through the grieving process more than her family. She mentioned that reading the Word and having a relationship with Jesus has been crucial for her healing. Despite the chaotic and dysfunctional aspects of family life, Wynonna finds solace in her faith and the relationship she has with God.
Moreover, Wynonna shared that the loss of Naomi has brought her closer to her sister, Ashley Judd, who also shares her strong faith. She expressed how their bond has strengthened since their mother’s passing and how they both cherish the time they have together.
In addition to her personal journey of healing, Wynonna also talked about how Kaliyah is following in the family’s musical footsteps. She mentioned that they have started singing together and that her favorite moments are spent with Kaliyah, enjoying simple pleasures like eating ice cream on the porch.
Wynonna emphasized that being with her granddaughter in these moments has brought her immense happiness, showing her that true joy cannot be bought with money. She finds pure bliss in singing to Kaliyah and watching her sing back, describing it as a piece of heaven on earth.
As Wynonna continues to navigate life without her mother, she finds comfort in her faith, her family, and the precious moments spent with her granddaughter. Through music and shared experiences, she keeps the memory of Naomi alive while embracing the present and looking towards the future with hope and gratitude.