Wynonna Judd Says She and Sister Ashley Are Not Speaking

Wynonna Judd has revealed that she and her sister, Ashley Judd, are currently not speaking, describing their relationship as being on a "break." This personal update comes as Wynonna prepares to release her new album, "The Hard Truth," on October 2.

In an interview with People, Wynonna explained that she and Ashley are "not connected" at the moment and are each focusing on their own lives. "She’s doing her thing, and I’m doing mine," Wynonna stated, adding that "all families can relate to" taking breaks from one another.

The upcoming album, "The Hard Truth," is described as Wynonna's most honest and vulnerable work to date. It delves into her complicated relationship with her late mother, Naomi Judd, long-held family secrets, and her personal journey through anger and forgiveness. Wynonna co-wrote the album with her husband, Cactus Moser, who encouraged her vulnerability.

Wynonna gained fame as part of the mother-daughter duo The Judds, achieving significant success in country music during the 1980s. The duo had 20 Top 10 country hits between 1984 and 1991, including 14 No. 1 singles, and earned multiple awards, including five Grammy Awards. Despite their professional success, Wynonna described their personal relationship as one filled with both deep love and significant turmoil.

"There was a tremendous amount of love there; a lot of drama but a lot of love as well. It was definitely a paradox," she said. Wynonna attributed part of the complex dynamic to her mother's struggles with severe depression, an illness that Wynonna felt compelled to keep secret. Naomi Judd died by suicide in April 2022 at the age of 76.

Wynonna stated that her mother's illness and the secret she kept left her devastated but emphasized the necessity of telling her own story. She believes the album's revelations would have been painful for Naomi Judd to hear, but also acknowledged her mother's understanding of her honesty. Wynonna asserted that releasing the album was something she needed to do for herself, regardless of whether her mother was still alive.

"It’s my story, and it’s my feelings," she explained. Wynonna suggested that if Naomi were still alive, she would have been even more determined to share her experiences.