Why Wynonna and Ashley Judd Are Taking Time Apart After Shared Family Grief

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Wynonna Judd’s relationship with her sister, Ashley Judd, is back in the headlines!

While discussing her new album, “The Hard Truth,” which features songs touching on their sisterly bond, the singer shed light on where they currently stand. She also aired her feelings about the bond she shared with her late mother, Naomi Judd.

This isn’t the first time Wynonna Judd has pulled back the curtain on her relationship with Ashley Judd. Shortly after their mother’s death, there were rising speculations that the sisters did not see eye to eye on matters concerning the will.

Wynonna Judd And Ashley Judd‘s Relationship Status

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Wynonna has spilled the tea on the current status of her relationship with her sister, Ashley. The sisters were born nearly four years apart to the late iconic singer Naomi. She welcomed Wynonna with her ex-boyfriend, Charles Jordan, when she was just 18, and the “Double Jeopardy” actress after marrying Michael Ciminella.

The sisters who grew up together have now grown apart and are currently not “connected” at the moment. “We’re taking a break, which all families can relate to. She’s doing her thing, and I’m doing mine,” Wynonna explained.

Speaking to PEOPLE for her September 30 cover story, the country singer revealed that her sister has not heard her upcoming album, “The Hard Truth,” which hit platforms on October 2. This marks Wynonna’s first album release in a decade and reportedly features many heartfelt tracks.

The Singer Wore Her Heart On Her Sleeve In Her Upcoming Album

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In the upcoming album, Wynonna explores her “complicated” feelings toward her mother and sings on one track: “I love you, I need you, I hate you some days.” The singer learned that her mother kept her father’s true identity a secret while she grew up believing Ciminella was her father.

“I carry a great deal of anger about that at times,” she said of Naomi hiding her biological father’s identity. Elsewhere on the album, Wynonna described her late mother as a “mama with no shame” and said she would have recorded these songs even if Naomi were alive.

Later in the interview, the country artist noted that after going through all these phases of her life, she feels ready to share her testimony, adding, “I feel like this is the most honest and vulnerable I’ve ever been. It’s there for everyone to hear.”

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Wynonna Judd Has Learned To Forgive

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Wynonna did not find out about Jordan till she was 30 and missed the chance to reconnect with him as he died in 2000. In her interview, she said she’s unsure why her mother kept it a secret for so long. However, despite the pain, she has learned to put it behind her as far back as possible.

“I have forgiven her as much as possible. You don’t forget. But I’ve wondered a million times why she didn’t tell me,” Wynonna revealed. According to The Blast, her feelings towards Naomi were a mix of love and drama.

Describing her “complicated” bond with her late mother as a “paradox,” the “Only Love” singer said she’s accepted it as part of her story. Naomi died by suicide in 2022; she was 76 and reportedly had a history of severe depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety.

The Judd Sisters’ Successes Contributed To Their Fractured Bond

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Last year, Wynonna shared details about her relationship with Ashley during an appearance on Clint Black’s “Talking in Circles” podcast. She revealed that their relationship soured as their careers soared.

“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,” the singer shared. “It’s a funny thing. There’s a bit of a sadness because being famous takes you from home.” 

She also reflected on their younger days, noting that because their mother had them when she was so young, Wynonna was burdened with a lot of responsibility, more than a sister should bear. The “Why Not Me” singer added that Ashley even calls her “sister mommy” because of their relationship dynamic.

Wynonna Judd Previously Shut Down Feud With Ashley Judd Claims 

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Shortly after Naomi died by suicide in 2022, there were rumors that the Judd sisters were in a headlocked battle over their late mother’s estate. Some tabloids claimed that their disagreement over Naomi’s estate contributed to the estrangement.

Wynonna did not let those whispers fly and quickly shut them down. She revealed that she was at her sister’s house when she heard the news that they were allegedly fighting. The singer told PEOPLE at the time that she and Ashley had no ill feelings over the property her mother left behind.

“Fighting over what? I have such a great life. Ashley has a great life. Why would we be fighting over the will?” she explained, adding that Larry Strickland, Naomi’s husband, is the executor of her mother’s estate.

Wynonna also said that she has no plans to contest her late mother’s will: she and the “High Crimes” actress plan to split it after Strickland’s demise.

The Why Wynonna and Ashley Judd Are Taking Time Apart After Shared Family Grief first appeared on The Blast