Friday 13 May 2022 04:05 PM MEGHAN MCCAIN: Naomi Judd's suicide shines spotlight on skyrocketing number of ... trends now
The news of Naomi Judd's suicide literally stopped me in my tracks.
I paused and re-read my news alert. The report seemed unfathomable.
I love The Judds, as the mother/daughter duo of Naomi and Wynonna were known.
I grew up in Phoenix in the 90s, and it was nearly impossible to live in that part of the country at that time and not adore them.
They were two of the most iconic country music singers of a generation.
Throughout their careers they had 20 top 10 hits, including 15 number ones.
They won five Grammy awards and Naomi won the Country Song Of The Year for writing 'Love Can Build a Bridge.'
They are ubiquitous to all things related to women in modern country music, and arguably, as impactful as Loretta Lynne, Dolly Parton, and Miranda Lambert.
Naomi in particular transcended country music, by hosting her own morning show on the Hallmark channel and a revamped Star Search.
She wrote popular self-help books and achieved some notable accomplishments in acting.
But Naomi and the Judd family were and are iconic not only for their music and careers but also because of the way they allowed America to witness their struggles.
We saw everything from their family complications and personal life dramas, to struggles with weight and mental health issues.
Naomi was quintessentially American and very much a part of the fabric of southern and country music history.
The news of Naomi Judd's suicide literally stopped me in my tracks. (Above) Naomi Judd performs at the CMA Music Festival in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, June 13, 2009
Naomi was slated to be inducted into the Country Music Hall Of Fame with her daughter Wynona the day after she committed suicide, adding another deep note of tragedy to her death. (Above) Wynonna Judd, second from the right, stands next to the Judds' induction plaque as sister Ashley Judd, left, Ricky Skaggs, and MC Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum look on Sunday, May 1, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn.
She almost literally pulled herself up by her bootstraps, working as a waitress and then a nurse, while trying to launch her music career.
She was a self-described 'single, struggling working mom,' who got her break when she treated a patient who was also the daughter of an RCA Records executive.
All this made the news of her suicide is so jarring, and sadly, shockingly relatable.
The May is mental health awareness month, a time when millions of Americans will wear green ribbons to help destigmatize mental illness and to support those living and struggling with the disease.
It is also a time to advocate for public policies that assist those with mental health issues and their families.
This has long been an extremely important issue, but it maybe even more critical now than it has ever been before.
Naomi's daughter, the famous actress Ashley Judd, sat for a heart-wrenching interview with Diane Sawyer this week.
For the first time, Ashley revealed that her mother died by shooting herself with a firearm in her bedroom, while Ashley was downstairs letting a friend in through their back door.
It is truly every daughter's worst nightmare.
The pain in Ashley's voice and the visible anguish on her face is palpable, gut wrenching and the interview is hard to get through.
Naomi
