Wynonna Judd Reassures Fans Over Concerning CMA Performance

Wynonna Judd caused concern with her shaky performance during the 57th Annual CMA Awards on Wednesday night. Judd’s voice was as mighty as ever; however, her physical appearance sent viewers into a flurry of panic on social media.

Before Jelly Roll won CMA’s New Artist of the Year award, Judd joined him to kick off the ceremony with his song “Need a Favor.” Appearing about one minute into the track, Judd emerged from the wings taking “baby steps,” as one viewer described it. She found Jelly Roll midstage and tightly gripped his shoulder, performing the rest of the song in that position as she looked to the side of the crowd.

Social media was a flurry, with many saying something felt off about the performance. Others noted Judd’s well-documented battle with vertigo and sent her well-wishes. Vertigo is a symptom (rather than a condition) which causes one to feel as if the environment around them is spinning. Judd canceled her New Year’s Eve performance earlier this year due to “an extreme bout of vertigo.”

The outpouring was so pervasive that Judd posted a statement to Instagram, reassuring fans that she was all right. “They say don't read the comments,” she began. “I’ve read the comments! I’m just gonna come clean with you all, I was so freaking nervous."

“I wanted it to be so good for [Jelly Roll],” Judd admitted. “I could cry right now because I’m such a fan of his. He asked me to sing, and I said absolutely. I got up there, and I was so nervous I just held on for dear life. That’s the bottom line.”

The “Grandpa” singer finished the video by reassuring her fans that she was on her way to Texas to continue her Back to White tour. “I’ll be on stage tomorrow night with the people I love the most, and you, the fans I love the most,” Judd said. “All is well.”