Naomi Judd, who sang alongside her daughter Wynonna in the iconic country duo The Judds, died on Saturday (April 30). She was 76 years old.
Naomi’s youngest daughter, actress Ashley Judd, shared the following statement on social media:
“Today we sisters experienced a tragedy. We lost our beautiful mother to the disease of mental illness. We are shattered. We are navigating profound grief and know that as we loved her, she was loved by her public. We are in unknown territory.”
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As news broke that Naomi had passed away, various country stars were performing in California at the Stagecoach festival. Carrie Underwood was the headliner of the night.
Carrie heard about Naomi’s death a few hours before she was supposed to hit the stage at Stagecoach. She shared her initial reaction to the news on Twitter.
“Country music lost a true legend…sing with the angels, Naomi!!!” Carrie wrote.
Country music lost a true legend…sing with the angels, Naomi!!! We’re all sending up prayers for the Judd family today…
— Carrie Underwood (@carrieunderwood) April 30, 2022
During her set later that night, Carrie paused for a moment to honor Naomi. An emotional Carrie introduced her song “See You Again,” telling the audience:
“This next song goes out to everybody who’s ever lost someone that they loved, which is everybody. But just because the people that we love are not here with us does not mean that they are not here with us and does not mean that you will not see them again someday.”
Carrie encouraged everyone to get out a phone or a lighter so they could light up the night sky in honor of those they’ve loved and lost. She then paid tribute to Naomi, saying:
“Let’s light up this place in memory of all those that we miss. I know all of country music will be lighting something up for Ms. Naomi Judd.”
Watch Carrie’s tribute to Naomi in the video below.
https://twitter.com/beacarebear1/status/1520736191519227905
Naomi died the day before The Judds were set to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville. The ceremony continued on Sunday (May 1) per her family’s wishes. Wynonna and Ashley attended.
Listen to the Judd sisters speak about their mother’s passing in the below video from the Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Our hearts and prayers go out to them during this sad time.