The Country Music Awards commemorates the music of the Southern charm and the simplicity of the American spirit. The 2023 award show glistened with shining stars and notable names in country music while millions of fans tuned in to root for their favorite artist and celebrate the folksy honky-tonk music.
However, viewers noticed something was off when the show had just begun.
On November 8, 2023, Wynonna Judd made a special appearance during the opening act of the 2023 CMAs, held at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.
In the middle of the performance, Judd seemed to be struggling, finding it difficult to maintain balance as she held on to Jelly Roll’s arm during the duet. Her voice fumbled; she had difficulty remembering the lyrics and got emotional while singing, yet the duo delivered a stellar opening performance. However, Wynonna Judd confirmed that she was not sick but just overwhelmed with the memories of her mother, Naomi Judd, who passed away in April 2022.
What Happened to Wynonna Judd at the Country Music Awards Performance?
Jelly Roll, the American rapper, is an enigma in the country music scene who can transcend into any genre as a multi-faceted songwriter. His songs cannot be categorized into any box, yet he can pull millions of heartstrings with emotions.
His song “Need a Favour” peaked at no. 1 on the Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart, as the lyrics resonated with Christians and all those with faith in God.
Mr. Roll is also the most nominated artist at the 2023 CMAs. Needless to say, the night was like a coronation for the 38-year-old musician, bagging several accolades.
Jelly Roll was slated to open the Country Music Awards show. Country music fans were unanimous that Roll was the most suitable choice to roll out the show for the night.
But no one would have ever imagined that he would also roll out a hidden ace card from his sleeves.
While performing his hit song “Need a Favor,” Jelly Roll was joined by special feature Wynonna Judd, a country music veteran. People were bewildered by the surprise duet.
At the same time, viewers also noticed that something was not going right in the live performance.
As soon as Judd started singing, she was struggling to walk on the stage towards him. And the moment she reached center stage, she grabbed Roll’s arms to get a grip on herself. Even with a beautifully powerful voice, Judd seemed to have difficulty getting her words out and even fumbled with the lyrics.
Roll held on to her patiently and aided her so that the singing gaps were unnoticeable. Even after all the challenges, both the artists delivered a fire performance, igniting the sentiments of millions.
By the end of the song, Judd was visibly emotional during the live performance.
Is Wynonna Judd Sick?
Most netizens speculated that Wynonna Judd was experiencing bouts of vertigo during the live performance, making it difficult for her to find balance.
However, Judd clarified in a backstage interview with ET News that she got emotional during the performance as she remembers her mother, Naomi Judd, who passed away in April of last year.
Wynonna said–
“The other night, I got really emotional. I felt mom.”
For those unversed, Wynonna and her mother, Naomi Judd, were a musical duo called The Judds.
She further explained her condition during the performance–
“I got a little bit overcome, and I just said, ‘I need some water. I need somebody to hold on to me for a second while I take a deep breath and cry.'”
“I just do it because that’s the way life is.”
What is your take on this case? Do you think Wynonna Judd was unstable during the duet? What are your thoughts on the overall performance? Let us know in the comments section below.
Source: ET Interview
