Wynonna Judd Shares What Tore Her & Sister, Ashley Apart
Amanda has been a professional freelance writer for over a decade. She holds a BA in politics and an MA in Communications. Her passions include music, animals, Disney, iced coffee, summer, and bad reality TV, especially Housewives and Vanderpump Rules.
Wynonna Judd is opening up about what has torn her and her sister, Ashley Judd, apart. The two had become incredibly close after their mother, Naomi Judd, passed away in 2022. Now, things have fallen away, and Wynonna is detailing what went down. Keep reading for more details.
Wynonna Judd Shares What Tore Her & Ashley Apart
For years, Wynonna Judd and her mother, Naomi Judd, were a dynamic musical duo. At the same time, Wynonna’s sister, Ashley Judd, was a successful actress, so they all had their own paths. Unfortunately, Naomi dealt with mental health issues for many years, and they finally got the best of her. Ahead of The Judds’ big tour after a decade away, Naomi took her life in April 2022. This shattered the sisters, but it also brought them back together and closer than ever. They were grieving a tremendous loss and just wanted to be there for one another.
Three years after Naomi’s death, Wynonna admits that she and Ashley are not as close as they once were. More so, not as close as she would like them to be. So, what happened between the two, and is it repairable? According to Wynonna, the reasoning is very simple. The sisters are both very busy with their respective lives, as they have always been. Therefore, it does not allow for a lot of time together, which has not been easy:
Ashley’s doing well. I don’t see her very much, and we’re not as close as I’d like to be, but that’s because success took us away from each other. It’s a funny thing. There’s a bit of a sadness because being famous takes you from home.
Ashley and Wynonna Judd did work together on the latest Lifetime docuseries about Naomi and her life. Their stepfather, Larry Strickland, was also a part of it, and they listened to old recordings from Naomi. Aside from the success aspect, Wynonna noted that she and Ashley struggled for another reason. Wynonna was the one who essentially raised her sister, and that made things murky:
I raised Ashley. That’s why we have such a funny relationship, ‘cause she calls me ‘sister mommy.’ And I’m a little bit sad about that, ‘cause I didn’t get to be her sister. It was just the two of us, trying to survive. I’m bigger and meaner than her, ‘cause I had to be. I had to be mean ‘cause I had to keep it together. When you’re 14 years old, and your mom is working all the time and you learn to drive…
Living & Learning
After all of these years, the mother mentality is still ever present, especially with Naomi Judd gone. Ashley and Wynonna Judd were leaning on one another for support. However, as Larry Strickland noted, the women were “forced” together by tragedy, which is very sad. Fans did love to see them all unite in the docuseries, honoring Naomi and hearing stories from the past:
- This documentary ❤️❤️❤️🙌 cried so much. So relatable in so many ways. Sending the family love. Wynonna reliving and hearing things for the 1st time.. painful 😒 😢
- I really loved the honesty of this Lifetime special. I have alot of love and compassion for all of them. May they be able to heal.❤️❤️
- I cried multiple times during series, but was a HUGE Judds fan and respect the choice to show depression and trauma even with success.
Hopefully, in time, Ashley and Wynonna Judd can find their way to a happier and healthier friendship. Are you shocked that they are not as close given the circumstances? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
