Wynonna Judd's surprise appearance during Jelly Roll's show-opening performance of "Need a Favor" during Wednesday night's (Nov. 8) CMA Awards broadcast left some fans concerned about the Country Music Hall of Famer. Judd grabbed ahold of Jelly Roll's jacket throughout, causing some on social media to speculate about her well-being.
During a post-show interview with Extra, Judd acknowledged that she was overwhelmed by the experience.
"I feel so like I just was in a car wreck," Judd told Extra (per a press release). "I do. I feel like my adrenaline went through the roof and I got dropped on my head and now I'm recovering... I don't know how to explain it... I was on a roller coaster and I just got off and I'm kind of overwhelmed and excited and, 'Let's go again! Can we do that again? That was really fun.'"
Judd acknowledged that she was emotional in part because of the April 2022 death of her mother, fellow The Judds member Naomi.
"I've had a tough Mama day," she said. "I have good days and tough days and it was very emotional because... I feel so for him, I'm there for him. I'm there for myself and yet I want it to be so good, so there is a lot going on... People don't know, they think we make it look easy and that's our job, but the truth is, tonight was very heavy and sweet and wonderful, and such is life."
Judd further addressed the situation on Thursday morning via TikTok.
"Okay so they say don't read the comments - I've read the comments," Judd said. "And I'm just going to come clean with y'all - I was so freaking nervous. I got out there and I looked at Jelly Roll, I wanted it to be so good for him. I could cry right now, but I'm not going to, because I'm such a fan of his, and he asked me to sing and I said absolutely... I got out there and I was so nervous that I just held on for dear life. And that's the bottom line."
