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The Judds were country music royalty, but life behind the scenes for the mother-daughter duo was troubled, according to a trailer for a new Lifetime documentary. 

“It was magical onstage. But offstage….,” Wynonna Judd says, letting out a deep exhale. 

‘The Judd Family: Truth Be Told’ explores the famous family’s ‘complex story’ 

The Judd Family: Truth Be Told will reveal “the complex story of the Judds’ including their triumphs and tragedies across several decades,” according to a synopsis from Lifetime. That includes delving into mom Naomi Judd’s life as a teen mom in Kentucky and her and Wynonna’s rise to fame as The Judds.

“Naomi spent her whole life building this narrative,” someone says in a voiceover in the trailer. 

“She had no idea what I went through as a child,” a tearful Ashley Judd says. 

The two-part doc airs Mother’s Day weekend and features interviews with Wynonna and her younger sister, actor Ashley, as well as with Naomi’s husband Larry Strickland and her friends and colleagues, including Reba McEntire and Don Potter. Naomi Judd died by suicide in 2022 at age 76. 

Viewers will also see “rare family footage and photos, unreleased songs, and voicemails that the Judd women left for one another” which help “illustrate the unique relationship between mothers and daughters, the cyclical nature of generational trauma, and the strength of familial bonds.”

Wynonna Judd says her relationship with mom Naomi Judd was ‘a blessing and a burden’

Wynonna Judd sitting on a couch as she films an interview for the Lifetime documentary 'The Judds: Truth Be Told'
Wynonna Judd in ‘The Judds: Truth Be Told’ | Lifetime
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“I was old enough to know that something was wrong,” Wynonna says in the teaser. “It’s a blessing and a burden to be that close to your mother,” she adds.  

Despite their successful careers in music and in Hollywood, the Judds were grappling with “big secrets,” another woman says. 

“My grandmother had two brothers who were predators,” a man says. 

“I’ve never talked about this before,” Wynonna confesses. 

The Judd Family: Truth Be Told airs May 10 and May 11 at 8 p.m. ET on Lifetime. 

How to get help: In the U.S., call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 or 1-800-273-8255. Or text HOME to 741-741 to speak with a trained crisis counselor at the free Crisis Text Line.

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