By Marisa Laudadio
8:00am PDT, Apr 24, 2024
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Kellie Pickler has performed publicly for the first time since her husband's tragic death.
On April 22, the country music singer — who first found fame as a top 10 contestant on the fifth season of "American Idol" in 2006 — took to the stage in Nashville during a Patsy Cline tribute event where she belted out a song she and her late spouse of 12 years, Kyle Jacobs, wrote together years before he died by suicide in February 2023.
Keep reading to hear what Kellie said about Kyle on stage, to see photos of her belting out the beautiful track and for what she said when she broke her silence following his passing last year…
And if you or someone you know is considering suicide or in crisis, call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 for support.
MORE: Follow Wonderwall on MSN for more fun celebrity & entertainment photo galleries and content
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"How we doin' tonight, y'all? I'd be lying if I didn't say I'm incredibly nervous right now," Kellie Pickler said as she took the stage during the Walkin' After Midnight: The Music of Patsy Cline tribute at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on April 22, 2024.
"It's been the first time I've been up on stage in a while," she added, tellign the crowd, "I will say that I am incredibly honored to be a part of honoring Miss Patsy Cline. She is a huge reason why I fell in love with music."
Keep reading to see what she said when things got personal and she spoke about her late husband…
MORE: Stars who are widows or widowers
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Moments after taking the stage during the Walkin' After Midnight: The Music of Patsy Cline tribute at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on April 22, 2024, Kellie Pickler got personal as she introduced the song she was about to perform, "The Woman I Am," telling the audience, "My husband and I actually wrote this song together, gosh, over a decade ago."
Kellie then shared more with the crowd, remembering of her late spouse, Kyle Jacobs, "The last time I was here in the Ryman Auditorium was with him on a date night, and I know he is here with us tonight."
Then, before delivering a beautiful rendition of the song, she told the audience, "Thank y'all so much for having me. I'm going to do the best I can."
Keep reading for more from Kellie…
MORE: See country music stars when they were young
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In August 2023, country music star Kellie Pickler broke her silence six months after her husband of 12 years, songwriter Kyle Jacobs, died by suicide at 49 on Feb. 17, 2023.
"One of the most beautiful lessons my husband taught me was in a moment of a crisis, if you don't know what to do, 'do nothing, just be still,'" Kellie told People magazine in a statement marking her first public comments since Kyle's death. "I have chosen to heed his advice."
"Thank you to my family, friends, and supporters, for the countless letters, calls, and messages that you have sent my way," Kellie continued. "It has truly touched my soul and it's helping me get through the darkest time in my life. As many of you have told me, you are all in my prayers."
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On Feb. 17, 2023, Kyle Jacobs — a songwriter who crafted tunes for everyone from wife Kellie Pickler and stars like Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw and Kelly Clarkson to Wynonna Judd, Trace Adkins, Lee Brice, Clay Walker and others — died at 49 at the Tennessee home he shared with Kellie.
The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department told E! News, Variety and other outlets in a statement at the time, "Mr. Jacobs' wife, Kellie Pickler, reported that she awoke a short time earlier, did not see her husband, and began looking for him. After she and her personal assistant were unable to open the door to the upstairs bedroom/office, the assistant telephoned 911." Early reports suggested that Kyle passed away in a suspected suicide.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide or in crisis, call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 for support.
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On May 9, 2023 — nearly three months after songwriter Kyle Jacobs died — Taste of Country obtained a report from the Davidson County Medical Examiner confirming that toxicology tests revealed there were no drugs in his system when he died. "Adult white male with a history of pseudoseizures, gastrointestinal bleeding, elevated liver enzymes and chronic alcohol use suffered a self-inflicted shotgun wound," his autopsy report stated.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide or in crisis, call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 for support.
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Kellie Pickler came to fame as a contestant on the fifth season of "American Idol" in 2006, finishing in sixth place.
She and songwriter Kyle Jacobs eloped in Antigua on Jan. 1, 2011.
They chronicled their life together on the CMT reality show "I Love Kellie Pickler," which aired from 2015 to 2017.
They're seen here together at the 51st Annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville in 2017.
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Kellie Pickler performed during Walkin' After Midnight: The Music of Patsy Cline at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on April 22, 2024.
Kellie wasn't the only artist who honored Patsy that night. Country, gospel and pop acts including Wynonna Judd, singer-actress Rita Wilson, The Isaacs, Mickey Guyton, Tami Neilson, Pam Tillis, Tigirlily Gold, Ashley McBryde, Kristin Chenoweth, Tiera Kennedy, Natalie Grant, Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo also took to the stage.
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Before Kellie Pickler performed during Walkin' After Midnight: The Music of Patsy Cline at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on April 22, 2024, first lady Jill Biden opened the event, honoring Patsy as she spoke about how the late music icon's work represented "a rupture, a shift, a before and after" that still now helps music fans trace "the contour of our joy and sorrows."
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Kellie Pickler performed during Walkin' After Midnight: The Music of Patsy Cline at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on April 22, 2024.
