Kellie Pickler Returns to ‘American Idol’ For 2006 Cast Reunion In One of First Performances Since Husband’s Death in 2023

Kellie Pickler joined some of her fellow American Idol season five alumni for a 20th anniversary reunion on Monday night (May 4) in one of the country singer’s first live performances since the death of her husband Kyle Jacobs, in 2023. The emotional return by the sixth-place finisher included a powerful, moving duet on Martina McBride’s 1997 ballad “A Broken Wing” with one of this year’s semifinalists, Hannah Harper.

Wearing a flowing blue robe over a glittery deep cobalt-colored pantsuit, Pickler earned shouts of approval and big smiles from the studio audience as well as judge, and fellow Idol veteran, Carrie Underwood, fellow panelists Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan and returning OG Idol judge Paula Abdul. The performance ended with a standing ovation from the judges and the women giving each other a big, warm hug.

Pickler, 39, has been mostly off the radar since husband and country songwriter (Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw) Kyle Jacobs’ death in February 2023; the couple got married in 2011. “All I can say is the perfect voice blend and complement. The two of you make one dynamic performance. Incredible,” Richie said afterwards, with Abdul dubbing it a “perfect pairing.”

Pickler was joined on the episode by her fellow season five veterans, season winner Taylor Hicks, Elliott Yamin, Paris Bennett and Bucky Covington; former OG judge Randy Jackson was also in the house for the episode.

After Idol, Pickler released the albums Small Town Girl (2006), Kellie Pickler (2008), 100 Proof (2012) and The Woman I Am (2013). She also won season 16 of Dancing With the Stars with partner Derek Hough and from 2017-2019 co-hosted the syndicated daytime TV talk show Pickler & Ben with comedian Ben Aaron.

Season 24 will come to a close with a three-hour finale (8-11 p.m. ET) on Monday (May 11), with Blues Traveler, Cameron Whitcomb, Clay Aiken, En Vogue, Gin Blossoms, Jason Mraz, Lee Ann Womack, Mötley Crüe, Nelly, Shinedown and Tori Kelly joining previously announced performers Alicia Keys and Brad Paisley. The episode will feature the top three finalists — Harper, Keyla Richardson and Jordan McCullough — vying for the championship.

Watch Pickler and Harper sing “A Broken Wing” below.