Country singer Wyonna Judd details her rise to fame as a member of the famous singing group, The Judds, and her struggle to find self-acceptance. Wyonna was born on May 30, 1964 to parents, Diana Judd Ciminella and Michael Ciminella. They named the newborn Christina Claire Ciminella. Diana had gotten pregnant out of wedlock, forcing the couple to marry a few months prior to Wyonna's birth. Four years later the family welcomed baby sister Ashley. Although Ashley and Wyonna shared a very close relationship, their childhood was marred by the tension between their parents and their eventual divorce. As a single mother, Wyonna's mother struggled to make ends meet, eventually returning to college to pursuing her nursing degree. For many years young Wyonna lived in Hollywood and became best friends with Mariska Hargitay, daughter of Jayne Mansfield, and Angelique L'amour, daughter of western writer Louis L'amour. Wyonna's childhood was far from idyllic. As a ten year old, Wyonna was molested by a family friend and as a young teenager attacked by a boy on a date. These incidents would forever marr Wyonna and made her uncomfortable in the presence of males. Wyonna shared an incredibly close bond with her grandparents Ciminella and this loving relationship would resonate throughout her entire life. In In 1983 Christina has changed her name to Wynonna and Diana likewise had changed her name to Naomi as they began their singing careers and formed the group The Judds. That same year the Judds were signed by RCA records. As the Judds began their meteoric rise to stardom, Wyonna's sister Ashley was left in the shadows to deal with her own issues. Wyonna and Naomi's relationship, though loving, was often marred by Naomi's domineering nature and control issues. As Ashley moves to Hollywood and becomes famous in her own right as an actress, Naomi Judd is forced to retire from the Judds after a diagnosis of Hepatitis. Forced to step out into the spotlight on her own, Wynonna is plagued by self-doubt and insecurity. Although successful as a solo artist, Wynonna struggles with her weight and becomes a subject of national scrutiny with an out of wedlock pregnancy. Wynonna gives birth to a son, Elijah, and continues her dysfunctional relationship with Elijah's father, who is portrayed as callous and controlling. When Wyonna finds herself pregnant with a second child she ends up marrying the father despite warning signs telling her that the relationship is doomed. The dysfunction of the Judd family is revealed as Wynonna learns that Michael Ciminella is not her biological father and that her mother has lied to her for her entire life. As Wynonna heads into divorce, finds herself reeling about her birth father, struggles with her increasing weight and facing financial ruin, she is forced to deal with her life and the issues that are holding her back.
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The review of this Book prepared by Sandra Calhoune
