Reba McEntire Emotionally Recalls Naomi Judd at the ACM Awards
During the recent Academy of Country Music Awards, host Reba McEntire was visibly moved as she remembered the beloved Naomi Judd, who passed away last year.
The celebrated singer of the hit “Fancy,” who is 70, shared her own memories from her first ACM Award victory during the opening of the event. Her speech took a poignant turn as she recalled the significance of that moment and who was with her to celebrate it.
“I completely understand the thrill the winners tonight feel, as I was in their shoes back in 1995,” McEntire revealed, becoming emotional. “Naomi Judd was the one who presented me with my award. I really miss her,” she added, touched by the memory.
Naomi Judd passed away by suicide in April 2022, shortly before she was set to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. She was celebrated at the ceremony not only through McEntire’s words but also through a performance by her daughter, Wynonna Judd. Wynonna paid homage to her mother by singing “Why Not Me,” a chart-topping duet originally performed by the Judds in 1984. This performance was part of the ACM Awards’ special segment, “Songs of the Decades,” which highlighted Song of the Year winners from the past 60 years.
The tribute performance featured a star-studded lineup including artists like Lainey Wilson, Blake Shelton, Sugarland, Clint Black, Dan + Shay, LeAnn Rimes, Alan Jackson, the Backstreet Boys, Brooks & Dunn, Brothers Osborne, Chris Stapleton, Cody Johnson, Ella Langley, Eric Church, Jelly Roll, Kelsea Ballerini, Megan Moroney, Miranda Lambert, Rascal Flatts, Shaboozey, and Zach Top.
Following Naomi Judd’s tragic death, her daughters Wynonna and Ashley Judd released a heartfelt statement, expressing their deep sorrow. “Today we sisters endured a tragedy. We lost our beautiful mother to the disease of mental illness,” the statement read. “We are devastated. We are walking through a deep grief and realize that just as we loved her, she was cherished by the public. We find ourselves in uncharted waters.”
In a candid interview on CBS Sunday Mornings in September of the same year, Wynonna discussed her mother’s battle with mental health. “I wasn’t aware that she was in such a dark place when she chose to end her life, because she had faced similar episodes before and improved,” she confessed. “I always wonder if there was something I could have noticed or known. I simply didn’t see it.”
If you or someone you know is facing a crisis, please call or text 988 to connect with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The previous Lifeline number (1-800-273-8255) is also still operational.
Hi, I’m Emily, a passionate and dedicated member of the Sherburne County Citizen team. With a keen eye for detail and a love for writing, I ensure that the latest celebrity news, major economic trends, and helpful tips for your home are presented in the most engaging and informative way possible. Fun fact: During a particularly exciting news story, I once managed to finish an article in record time, fueled solely by copious amounts of coffee and pure adrenaline!
