Biography
Date of Birth
28 December 1986, Albemarle, North Carolina, USA
Birth Name
Kellie Dawn Pickler
Nickname
Kelsie
Pickles
Height
5' 2" (1.57 m)
Mini Biography
Kellie Pickler was born in Albemarle, North Carolina to Cynthia Morton and Clyde "Bo" Raymond Pickler, Jr. Cynthia left when Kellie was 2 but was then granted custody for two years. Kellie was returned to her grandparents at age 12. Her father was in and out of jail throughout her childhood and she was raised in Albemarle, North Carolina by her grandparents, who were big influences in her life. She has a half-sister named Courtney and two half-brothers, Eric and Michael; she has never met Michael. Kellie and Eric continued to live with their grandfather after their grandmother died of lung cancer in 2002. At North Stanly High School in New London, North Carolina, from which she graduated in 2004, she was a cheerleader and a beauty queen. In 2005 she tried out for American Idol (2002) and was sent to Hollywood. She sang many famous songs, including "Since U Been Gone" by Kelly Clarkson, "A Broken Wing" by Martina McBride, and "Blame it on the Sun" by Stevie Wonder. She was one of Simon's favorites, but was eliminated in the Final 6. Back in North Carolina she was given a key to the city on "Kellie Pickler Day", May 6, 2006. She then headed to Nashville, Tennessee to pursue her dreams. She was signed to 19 Recordings/BNA Records and wrote and sang many chart-toppers, including "Red High Heels", "I Wonder", "Things That Never Cross a Man's Mind", "Don't You Know You're Beautiful", "You Didn't Know How Much I Loved You", and "The Best Days of Your Life".
Trivia
Former roommate of fellow American Idol (2002) contestant, Katharine McPhee.
Was a former Sonic waitress.
Finished 6th on American Idol (2002) in 2005.
Hometown: Albemarle, North Carolina
Enjoys music by Keith Urban and Kelly Clarkson
She can also dance and perform gymnastics.
Her first single "Red High Heels" from her debut album "Small Town Girl" under BNA Records was released September 13, 2006.
Received first Gold Record for debut album "Small Town Girl" on January 18, 2007 on The View (1997) and was presented by Rosie O'Donnell.
Close friends with Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood.
Considers Dolly Parton her idol. She once met Dolly, due to a set up by her record label.
Raised 50,000 dollars for charity on Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? (2007).
A fan of the music by Queen.
Actively supports St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and many other charities.
Has three dogs named MooMoo, Pixie, Maddie, a monkey named Bella, a snake, and a cat named Pickles.
Has a half brother named Eric, a half sister, Courtney, and a half brother, Michael, however, she has never met Michael.
Kellie and her partner Derek Hough are crowned the winners of Dancing with the Stars (2005) Season 16. [May 2013]
Preparing to tour with fellow American Idol Finalists [May 2006]
Performing on the Grand Ole Opry! [March 2008]
Ranked #46 on Maxim's "Hot 100" of 2014 list.
Friends with Daylan Honeycutt, since childhood.
Supports various charities including the American Red Cross and St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.
Trademarks:
Red high heels
Quotes
"Dolly is a legend. Jessica is so beautiful. I take it as a big compliment when people put me beside them." About being compared to Dolly Parton & Jessica Simpson on the Idol red carpet.
"This is the first time I became famous. I'm gonna be on shows like TRL and VH1!" On her success after making it to the top 6 in the show.
I've seen my whole family struggle, with money, with relationships, with alcohol, and I thought there must be a better way. As you mature, you realize you don't choose your parents. It's not your fault what they do and you should not be ashamed.
I've always been comfortable in front of people. I've always been the joker, the class clown. Music and laughter is how I dealt with everything. I'd rather laugh about it than cry about it.
Of all the things I have been through in my life, the hardest thing I've ever gone through is the loss of my grandmother. She was always there for me, and then she was gone.
We are in a world where people want to find out the worst possible things about someone. It's never anything good. With the 5th Grader show, no one even recognized that I won $50,000 for my charity. It was never attention on anything good I did. Hell, I don't know the capital of Hungary. I don't know many people that do. I can't control what people say about me. I'm not stupid. If was stupid, I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing now.
I remember my mother and I were in the kitchen and I said, 'I wish God would take me away, I'd much rather be dead than live here with you.' She took a knife out, set it on the counter and said, 'Here, do it then.' I was in fourth grade. Of course I never would have acted upon it, but it's done a lot of emotional scarring.
Happiness has been about surrounding myself with positive people who love me, inspire me and lift me up. If I take in positive energy, then that's what I put back out into the universe.
