Kellie Pickler, who rose to fame on American Idol, will be returning to the show three years after husband Kyle Jacobs died by suicide in 2023.
During the Wednesday, April 29, episode of American Idol’s official podcast, host Danielle Fishel revealed that a handful of the show’s finalists from the fifth season in 2006 would “be returning to the show next week for duets with our top five finalists currently for the ‘Party Like It’s 2006’ theme.”
The Small Town Girl artist, 39, finished in sixth place during her time on American Idol.
While Pickler went on to have a career in country music after her time on the reality singing competition, she retreated from the spotlight after her husband died by suicide in Nashville, Tennessee, on February 17, 2023, at age 49.
The Dancing With the Stars alum hasn’t posted on Instagram since May 7, 2022, and she has kept a relatively low profile ever since the songwriter’s death.
In 2024, however, Pickler performed at an event in Nashville that paid tribute to singer Patsy Cline.
Video footage from the concert captured her telling concertgoers that she’d “be lying if I didn’t say I was incredibly nervous right now.”
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“It’s the first time I’ve been up on stage in a while,” Pickler noted. “My husband and I actually wrote this song [‘The Woman I Am’] together — gosh — over a decade ago. The last time I was here in the Ryman Auditorium was with him on a date night, and I know he is here with us tonight.”
The other 2006 finalists set to return on next week’s episode of American Idol are winner Taylor Hicks, Paris Bennett, Elliott Yamin and Bucky Covington, Fishel said on the podcast.
The show’s original judges Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson are also expected to make an appearance on the episode, which will air Monday, May 4.
Following Jacobs’ death, Pickler told People in a statement, “One of the most beautiful lessons my husband taught me was in a moment of a crisis, if you don’t know what to do, ‘do nothing, just be still.’ I have chosen to heed his advice.”
She thanked “family, friends, and supporters, for the countless letters, calls, and messages,” adding: “It has truly touched my soul, and it’s helping me get through the darkest time in my life. As many of you have told me, you are all in my prayers.”
This story Kellie Pickler Will Make Rare Public Appearance on ‘American Idol’ After Husband Kyle’s Tragic Death first appeared on InTouch Weekly. Add InTouch Weekly as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
