Kellie pickler

While she didn't go home with the "American Idol" name, Kellie Pickler was one of the most popular alumni from the show. Kellie Pickler was born June 28, 1986, in Stanly Memorial Hospital Albemarle. Her parents are Cynthia Morton and Clyde Raymond Pickler. She was just 16 when she got pregnant with her. Pickler experienced a challenging childhood because of her drug and alcohol addictions, while her mother abandoned her after age two. Morton managed to get the custody of Pickler for two years. But, Pickler acknowledged that not things went according to plan. "I recall my mother as well as me living in the same room, and I said to her "I'd rather die than being together with you. I would like God would remove me.' The girl took out a knife put it on the counter and said, 'Here, do it and then.' in fourth grade. It's true that I would never have acted upon it, but it's done an awful amount of emotional damage," she said. Pickler, who was then 12-years-old, was given her grandparents' custody following the court hearing. Pickler, who cites her grandparents as major influence throughout her life, was raised by the grandparents. Her grandmother Faye Pickler died from lung cancer in January of 2002, and she was subsequently raised by the grandfather. Pickler received her diploma from the North Stanly High School located in New London, North Carolina.