Kellie Pickler facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kellie Pickler
Pickler performing in 2013
Background information
Birth name	Kellie Dawn Pickler
Born	(1986-06-28) June 28, 1986 (age 39) Albemarle, North Carolina, U.S.
Genres	Country country pop
Occupation(s)	Singer actress television personality
Years active	2005–2019, 2022–present
Labels	BNA 19 Recordings Columbia Nashville Black River Entertainment

Kellie Dawn Pickler (born June 28, 1986) is an American country music singer, actress, and TV personality. She became famous as a contestant on the fifth season of American Idol. She finished in sixth place on the show.

In 2006, Kellie signed with 19 Recordings and BNA Records. Her first album, Small Town Girl, came out later that year. It sold over 900,000 copies and was certified gold. This album had three popular songs on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts: "Red High Heels", "I Wonder", and "Things That Never Cross a Man's Mind".

Kellie released her second album in 2008. It featured four singles, including "Best Days of Your Life", which she co-wrote with Taylor Swift. After BNA Records closed, she joined Black River Entertainment.

In 2013, Kellie and her partner, Derek Hough, won the sixteenth season of Dancing with the Stars. In 2016, she was honored by being added to the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame. From 2017 to 2019, she co-hosted a TV talk show called Pickler & Ben. Kellie was married to songwriter Kyle Jacobs from 2011 until his death in 2023.

Early Life and School

Kellie Pickler was born on June 28, 1986, in Albemarle, North Carolina. Her grandparents raised her from the age of 12. She has said that her grandfather, Clyde Raymond Pickler Sr., and grandmother, Faye Pickler, were very important people in her life.

Kellie graduated from North Stanly High School in New London, North Carolina, in 2004. She was a cheerleader there. At her graduation, she sang "On the Side of Angels" by LeAnn Rimes.

Her Journey on American Idol

When Kellie was 19, she tried out for American Idol in the fall of 2005. She sang songs by Kelly Clarkson and Martina McBride. The judges liked her and sent her to Hollywood. She made it through the early rounds and reached the Top 12 contestants.

Judge Simon Cowell was one of her biggest fans. He even thought she might make it to the final three. Kellie was known for her fun and unique personality and her Southern charm. She often mentioned that she hadn't performed much for large audiences before. People sometimes compared her to Jessica Simpson because of her sweet Southern style.

American Idol Performances

After American Idol

Pickler performing for U.S. service members in Germany, 2008.

After leaving American Idol, Kellie appeared on many TV shows. She also returned to her hometown of Albemarle, North Carolina. The mayor gave her a key to the city and declared "Kellie Pickler Day".

Kellie then moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to start her music career. In July 2006, she signed a record deal with 19 Recordings/BNA Records. She also joined the American Idols Live! Tour 2006, performing in many cities for three months. During the tour, she worked on her first album.

Her First Album: Small Town Girl (2006–2007)

Kellie's first song, "Red High Heels", came out in September 2006. Its music video was nominated for a CMT Video Award. Her first album, Small Town Girl, was released on October 31, 2006. It quickly became number one on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart. It also reached number nine on the Billboard 200. The album sold over 79,000 copies in its first week. This made Kellie the best-selling new artist of 2006. She co-wrote five songs on the album.

In January 2007, Kellie co-hosted The View. She received a gold record for her album, meaning it had sold over 500,000 copies. She also sang her second single, "I Wonder", which is a very personal song.

Kellie was nominated for "Top New Female Vocalist" at the 42nd Academy of Country Music Awards. She also toured with country artist Brad Paisley from April to October 2007. In September 2007, she released a Christmas song called "Santa Baby". She also won a songwriter award for "Red High Heels" at the ASCAP Awards. At the 2007 CMA Awards, she sang "I Wonder" and received a standing ovation.

Her Second Album: Kellie Pickler (2008–2010)

While her song "Things That Never Cross a Man's Mind" was climbing the charts, Kellie went back to the studio. She recorded her second album for 19 Recordings/BNA Records. She sang the first song from the new album, "Don't You Know You're Beautiful", at the ACM Awards in May 2008. The song was released in June 2008.

Her second album, Kellie Pickler, came out on September 30, 2008. It debuted at the top of the country chart and number nine on the Billboard 200. This was similar to the success of her first album.

In November 2008, Kellie performed "Best Days of Your Life" at the CMA Awards. This song became her first top ten hit on the Hot Country Songs chart. A music video for the song was made, featuring Taylor Swift, who helped write the song and sang background vocals. Kellie also toured with Taylor Swift on her Fearless Tour in 2009 and 2010.

"Didn't You Know How Much I Loved You" was released as the third song from her second album. It became her fifth top 20 hit. In October 2009, Kellie was voted the most beautiful woman in country music by Country Weekly for the second year in a row. "Makin' Me Fall in Love Again" was the fourth song released from the album.

100 Proof and New Beginnings (2011–2012)

Kellie's third album, 100 Proof, was released on January 24, 2012. It debuted at number seven on the Billboard 200. The first song from the album was "Tough".

In June 2012, Kellie left Sony Music Nashville. In July 2012, she sang "God Bless America" at the 2012 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. In October 2012, Kellie signed with Black River Entertainment, an independent record label.

The Woman I Am and Dancing with the Stars (2013–Present)

Kellie's first song with Black River Entertainment was "Someone Somewhere Tonight", released in May 2013. This song was the first from her fourth album, The Woman I Am, which came out on November 11, 2013. Kellie co-wrote the album's title song with her husband, Kyle Jacobs.

"Little Bit Gypsy" and "Closer to Nowhere" were also released from the album. In June 2016, Kellie left Black River Entertainment.

On May 21, 2013, Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough were announced as the winners of the sixteenth season of Dancing with the Stars. They performed a fantastic freestyle dance that earned a perfect score. She also performed "Little Bit Gypsy" on the show in November 2013.

In 2013, Kellie voiced the character Mirabelle in the VeggieTales video, Beauty and the Beet. In February 2022, Kellie started working as a DJ on SiriusXM's country music station, The Highway.

Personal Life

Kellie Pickler married songwriter Kyle Jacobs on January 1, 2011. They had a small, private ceremony on an island in the Caribbean. In 2015, Kellie and Kyle starred in a reality show for CMT called I Love Kellie Pickler. Kyle Jacobs passed away in February 2023.

Helping Others

Kellie Pickler in Jacksonville, Florida, 2008.

Kellie Pickler is very active in supporting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. She helps raise money and visits children there. She also takes part in many charity events. She has said, "When you're able to give back to your communities and organizations like St. Jude, it's a great thing."

In November 2007, Kellie appeared on a celebrity version of the quiz show Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?. She played for the American Red Cross and the AARP's Grandparenting Program.

Kellie has also gone on three tours for the United Service Organizations (USO). These tours took her to places like Iraq, Germany, Afghanistan, and Kuwait to perform for U.S. service members. She believes it's important to support those who serve.

In August 2009, Kellie helped rebuild a family home on ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. She performed a free concert and helped with the construction. In June 2016, Kellie and her team won $25,000 for the USO on an episode of Celebrity Family Feud.

Dancing with the Stars Performances

Discography

• Small Town Girl (2006)
• Kellie Pickler (2008)
• 100 Proof (2012)
• The Woman I Am (2013)

Tours

• Still Feels Good Tour (2007) with Rascal Flatts
• Bonfires & Amplifiers Tour (2007–08) with Brad Paisley
• Love on the Inside Tour (2008) with Sugarland
• Fearless Tour (2009–10) with Taylor Swift
• American Living Unstoppable Tour (2010) with Rascal Flatts
• Nothing Like This Tour (2010) with Rascal Flatts

Television Work

Images for kids

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  A banner proclaims Albemarle as "Home of Kellie Pickler"

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  Kellie Pickler was married to songwriter Kyle Jacobs from 2011 until his death in 2023.

See also

In Spanish: Kellie Pickler para niños