Exclusive: Naomi Judd: "I Was Horrible" When Ashley Was a Kid
Credit: Theo Wargo/WireImage.com
Country music legend Naomi Judd knows she wasn't the picture-perfect mom to daughters Ashley and Wynonna -- but that doesn't mean she's curled up with Ashley's shocking, headline-grabbing memoir All That Is Bitter and Sweet.
"I will probably get around to reading it, because as a mom, I certainly want to honor her reality," Naomi, 65, says in the new Us Weekly of her actress daughter's book, which alleges a childhood of "trauma, abandonment, addiction and shame."
"I was horrible," Naomi has said. "I didn't know any better."
Older sister Wynonna, 46, admits to Us that her sister's allegations -- a constant flow of pot in the house, sexual abuse at the hands of a neighbor and more -- certainly made things awkward. Reading the manuscript, Wynonna tells Us, put her in "an unbearable place between two women that I really love."
Also awkward: Naomi and Wynonna are in the midst of promoting a brand-new OWN reality show. One source tells Us that the singing duo are "furious that Ashley came out with this right when they were relaunching their career with this show."
Their rep counters this claim, while an Ashley insider adds that the book's publication date was slated prior to the show premiere.
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For much more on the warring Judds, pick up the new issue of Us Weekly, out now.
Tell Us What You Think
8I love you all!! Just another family trying to live and survive somewhat happily and joyfully in a world full of sin and disgust.
I say good for Ashley, why shouldnt she write the book and tell the whole truth? im sure she's not doing it for the money, but maybe as a stepping stone on her way to complete healing for being abused and what went on in her life during those years. Good for you Ashley, i will be one who buys the book, but will NOT be watching big sister and mama.
Just the fact that she wrote such a book proves that there's not much of a parent/child bond to worry about. and Anne, please...growing up in poverty doesn't make it ok for there to be drugs and perverts in and out of their home.
Well, it will be good therapy for Ashley. I am sure momma Judd will not be too happy. We all make mistakes,we can't undo our wrongs. I hope they can forgive their Mom.
It honestly makes me sick to see all these people defend Naomi and trash Ashley. Seriously? You are trashing the abused and not the abuser? Kudos to Ashley for being brave enough to tell her story and in some way maybe help teach other abuse victims that abuse doesn't define you and that she is proof that you can come a long way from that.
Good for Ashley for standing up for herself and telling her story. If you notice her mom and sis are not denying the information written they are just whinning that their reality show might not be a hit because of the book...I won't be watching it!!!
It's Ashley's recognizing that she hasn't had a hit movie lately and she needs another attempt at making a lot of money. I think she is very disrespectful toward her mother. It's easy for those who were not raised in Appalachian poverty to criticize Naomi when in reality she did the best she could given what she did and did not know then, and again not to mention the poverty surrounding her. Ashley, maybe consider being respectful and just let your husband win another race and collect your money in a more honorable fashion.
Mom and Sis need to shut their pieholes. It is Ashley's story and her book. TT about the OWN reality show. Ashely has the credibility badge!