- Chely Wright, born October 25, 1970, in Kansas City, Kansas, is widely recognized as the first openly gay country music star, coming out in 2010.
- She achieved fame with hits like “Single White Female” (1999) and has since become a prominent LGBT advocate.
- Her career faced challenges post-coming out, with record sales dropping, but she continued releasing music and returned to the Grand Ole Opry in 2019.
- Wright married Lauren Blitzer in 2011 and had twin boys in 2013 via surrogacy; she also survived a stroke in 2018.
Early Life and Career
Chely Wright grew up in Wellsville, Kansas, developing a passion for country music early on, forming her band County Line at 14. She moved to Nashville, signing with PolyGram/Mercury in 1993 and later MCA Records, where she released successful albums like “Single White Female” in 1999, selling over 500,000 copies.
Coming Out and Impact
In 2010, Wright came out via People magazine, releasing her memoir “Like Me” and album “Lifted Off the Ground.” This was a significant moment for country music, challenging its conservative norms, though it led to a drop in sales. She received support from some artists but faced backlash from others.
Personal Life and Later Years
Post-coming out, Wright married Lauren Blitzer in 2011 and had twins in 2013. She continued her music career, releasing “I Am the Rain” in 2016, and returned to the Grand Ole Opry in 2019. In 2018, she survived a stroke, using her platform to raise awareness.
Comprehensive Biography of Chely Wright
Chely Wright, born Richell Rene Wright on October 25, 1970, in Kansas City, Kansas, and raised in Wellsville, Kansas, is an American country music artist, author, and advocate for the LGBT community. She is best known for being the first major country music star to come out as gay, a decision that marked a significant moment in the history of country music and the broader cultural landscape. This survey note provides a detailed exploration of her life, career, and impact, drawing from various sources to paint a comprehensive picture.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Wright was the youngest of three children, with parents Cheri and Stan Wright fostering her love for country music through family “pickin’ parties.” She started piano lessons at age four and played the trumpet in her school band, forming her own band, County Line, at 14, with her father as the bass player. Her early life was marked by a conflict between her passion for music and her discovery of homosexuality, which she initially saw as conflicting with her Christian faith. She prayed daily for God to take away her “homosexual thoughts,” even attributing negative events like her brother’s broken bone to divine punishment.
After high school, Wright moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and landed a position in a musical production at Opryland USA, a crucial step in honing her performance skills and connecting with the country music industry. This experience laid the groundwork for her professional career.
Music Career: Rise to Fame
In 1993, Wright signed with PolyGram/Mercury Records and released her debut album, “Woman in the Moon,” in 1994. Although the album’s singles did not reach the top 40 on the Billboard country chart, she won the Top New Female Vocalsist award at the 1995 Academy of Country Music Awards, marking her early recognition. She then signed with MCA Records, releasing “Let Me In” in 1997, with “Shut Up and Drive” achieving success on the charts.
Her breakthrough came with “Single White Female” in 1999, which sold over 500,000 copies and was certified gold, featuring the title track that reached number one on both the Billboard Hot Country Songs and RPM Country charts. This album solidified her status as a rising star. Subsequent releases included “Never Love You Enough” in 2001, and after leaving MCA in 2003, she signed with Vivaton, releasing “The Metropolitan Hotel” in 2005 on Dualtone Records, which marked a shift towards Americana music.
Her career continued with “Lifted Off the Ground” in 2010, coinciding with her coming out, and “I Am the Rain” in 2016 via Kickstarter, which peaked at #13 on Top Country Albums and #181 on Billboard 200. She also released EPs “Santa Will Find You!” in 2018 and “Revival” in March 2019, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to music. Overall, she has sold over 1,500,000 copies and 10,000,000 digital impressions in the US, showcasing her commercial impact.
Coming Out: A Pivotal Moment
In 2010, Wright publicly came out as gay through People magazine, a decision driven by her desire to live honestly and take control of her story, despite the potential risks to her career. This coincided with the release of her memoir, “Like Me,” and her album “Lifted Off the Ground.” Her coming out was documented in the film “Wish Me Away,” released in 2011, which captured her emotional journey.
The decision followed years of internal struggle, including a near-suicidal breakdown in 2005, as she grappled with hiding her sexuality. She told her best friend on Valentine’s Day, her sister, brother, and father, but not her mother or any ex-partners at the time, fearing the impact on her career. She predicted an end to her country music career, with radio stations potentially dropping her record and future invitations to perform for troops in doubt.
The reaction was mixed: she received support from fellow country artists like LeAnn Rimes, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Faith Hill, Naomi Judd, SHeDAISY, and Trisha Yearwood, but also lost a significant chunk of her fan base, with record sales dropping in half. Her album “Lifted Off the Ground” peaked at #32 on Top Country Albums and #200 on Billboard 200, lower than previous releases like “The Metropolitan Hotel” (#18 Top Country Albums, #96 Billboard 200), suggesting an impact from her coming out.
Personal Life: Marriage and Family
Two weeks after coming out, Wright met Lauren Blitzer, a fellow LGBT activist and Sony Music marketing director. They announced their engagement on April 6, 2011, and married on August 20, 2011, in a private ceremony in Connecticut, officiated by both a rabbi and a reverend. In January 2013, they announced Wright was expecting identical twins, and in May 2013, she gave birth to twin boys, George and Everett, named after their great-grandfathers. This journey through surrogacy highlighted her personal growth and commitment to family life.
Impact and Legacy: Advocacy and Return to the Opry
Wright’s coming out was a pivotal moment for country music, challenging its conservative norms and paving the way for greater acceptance of the LGBT community within the genre. She became a vocal advocate, speaking out on issues like marriage equality and the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Her activism earned her recognition from GLAAD and the Family Equality Council, with nominations and an activist award, respectively.
Despite career challenges, she persisted, releasing music and maintaining a relationship with her fans, as she noted in an interview: “I’m most proud of my relationship with the fans. You learn very early on in country music that intimate exchange, that long conversation with fans, that’s the thing that gets you where you want to go.” In August 2019, after a ten-year absence, she returned to the Grand Ole Opry, performing hits like “Shut Up and Drive” and “Single White Female,” ending the latter with a lyrical change to “A single white female, looking for a girl like you,” symbolizing her acceptance and enduring presence.
Health Challenges: Stroke and Awareness
In 2018, Wright suffered a stroke, initially mistaking it for a migraine. After seeking medical attention at New York’s Lenox Hill Hospital, she was diagnosed and has since recovered. She made the news public a year later to encourage others to seek medical attention for similar symptoms, using her platform to raise awareness about stroke prevention and treatment.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout her career, Wright has received numerous awards and nominations, including:
| Award | Details |
|---|---|
| Academy of Country Music Awards | Top New Female Vocalsist (1995 win) |
| Country Music Association Awards | Multiple nominations, including Horizon Award |
| GLAAD Awards | Nominated twice for LGBT advocacy |
| Family Equality Council | Activist Award for contributions |
These accolades reflect her impact both as a musician and an advocate, spanning her pre- and post-coming out periods.
Conclusion
Chely Wright’s journey from a small-town Kansas girl to a groundbreaking country music star and advocate is a testament to her courage, talent, and resilience. Her story, marked by musical success, personal struggle, and advocacy, continues to inspire and resonate within both the music industry and the fight for equality. With a career spanning decades, a family life enriched by marriage and twins, and a commitment to health awareness, Wright’s legacy is one of authenticity and impact.