Pickler has stated in the past a previous ignorance of common popular culture before her Idol fame. She was compared to Jessica Simpson in a March 27-story in US Weekly magazine titled "Kellie: The Next Jessica Simpson", due to her "sweet Southern style and ditzy demeanor". Recognized for her "quirky" personality and Southern charm, Pickler gained attention on the show by saying that she had hardly ever performed before real audiences, and by mispronouncing words. He once predicted Pickler would be in the final three, and said he preferred her over the previous season's winner, Carrie Underwood. Pickler was among judge Simon Cowell's favorites. Pickler advanced through the semi-final rounds in February. She sang both Kelly Clarkson's " Since U Been Gone" and Martina McBride's " A Broken Wing". The 19-year-old Pickler auditioned for American Idol in the fall of 2005 in Greensboro, North Carolina. She sang " On the Side of Angels" by LeAnn Rimes at her high school graduation. Pickler graduated in 2004 from North Stanly High School in New London, North Carolina where she was a cheerleader. Pickler says the major influences in her life are her grandfather, Clyde Raymond Pickler Sr., a former electrician, and grandmother, Faye Pickler. Eventually, the court returned Kellie to her grandparents when she was 12 and they raised her to adulthood because her father was absent in her life. Her mother left when Kellie was two years old, then returned and took custody of her for two years. Kellie Pickler was born June 28, 1986, at Stanly Memorial Hospital in Albemarle, North Carolina, to Cynthia Morton and Clyde "Bo" Raymond Pickler Jr. Pickler was married to Nashville songwriter and record producer Kyle Jacobs from 2011 until his suicide in 2023.Įarly life A banner proclaims Albemarle as "Home of Kellie Pickler" In 2016, she was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame.įrom 2017 to 2019, she co-hosted the nationally syndicated daytime TV talk show Pickler & Ben with comedian Ben Aaron. On May 21, 2013, Pickler and her partner, Derek Hough, were declared the winners of the sixteenth season of Dancing with the Stars. Following the closure of BNA Records, she moved to Black River Entertainment.
14, and "Makin' Me Fall in Love Again" at No.
9 (which she co-wrote with Taylor Swift), " Didn't You Know How Much I Loved You" at No. Pickler released her self-titled second album in 2008 that produced four singles: " Don't You Know You're Beautiful" at No. 14, and "Things That Never Cross a Man's Mind" at No. The album, which was certified gold by the RIAA, produced three singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts: " Red High Heels" at No. Her debut album, Small Town Girl, was released later that year and has sold over 900,000 copies. In 2006, she signed to 19 Recordings and BNA Records as a recording artist. Pickler gained fame as a contestant on the fifth season of American Idol and finished in sixth place. Kellie Dawn Pickler (born June 28, 1986) is an American country music singer, songwriter, actress and television personality.