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- Kellie Pickler appeared on Monday’s episode of American Idol, which was a reunion of the 2006 season.
- The “Red High Heels” singer has kept a quiet life since her husband, Kyle Jacobs, died in 2023.
- Pickler was joined by former ‘Idol’ judges Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson as well as several contestants.
Kellie Pickler returned to American Idol, where it all began, on Monday.
The “Red High Heels” singer visited the ABC reality show for a 20th reunion of the 2006 cast to perform a duet with contestant Hannah Harper, singing Martina McBride’s song “A Broken Wing.”
Her appearance was a big deal, as she’s kept a low-profile since Kyle Jacobs, whom she married in 2011, died in February 2023. The singer and songwriter had written tracks for country music heavyweights such as Garth Books and Tim McGraw.
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But Pickler has a special place in her heart for the singing competition, on which she finished sixth in the fifth season, which also featured Chris Daughtry, Katharine McPhee, Mandisa, and winner Taylor Hicks.
“All I can say is,” judge Lionel Richie gushed afterward, “the perfect voice blend and complement. The two of you make one dynamic performance. Incredible.”
Abdul praised it as a “perfect pairing.”
And Pickler wasn’t the only alum in the house. The others included Hicks, Paris Bennett, Elliott Yamin, and Bucky Covington.
