Does Kellie Pickler Have Cancer? Rumors Put To Rest
on Mar 08, 2023 • Updated Aug 17, 2023
Kellie Pickler became America’s sweetheart after an impressive run on the fifth season of American Idol in 2006. Fans of the country cutie became concerned after photos of her with a shaved head were posted online. While Kellie Pickler did in fact shave her head, it was not due to a cancer diagnosis of her own, but that of a friend.
In 2012, Kellie Pickler’s bestfriend, Summer Holt Miller, was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Kellie joined her friend on camera later that year to discuss Miller’s cancer diagnosis later, and shave their heads together.
“The day that we found out Summer had breast cancer was one of the hardest days ever in my life,” Pickler said.
Miller told cameras that she had been advised by some women who had been through the same diagnosis and treatment to “go ahead and shave my head now, because you don’t want to wake up with it on your pillow. It’s more devastating for it to happen that way.”
Kellie shared that she had told her friend that when her hair fell out she would shave her head in solidarity. And true to her word, Kellie and Summer shaved their heads together, and the special moment was caught on camera.
Just three months later, Kellie Pickler appeared on The Ellen Show and talked about her decision to shave her head.
“The last thing that you want with anyone you love…you don’t want them to walk through the valley alone. I think it’s important to have a cancer buddy, I guess you could say,” Pickler shared before adding what the moment meant to her. “It is honestly…that was probably one of the most beautiful moments of my life. Just being able to do that with her.”
In 2013, Kellie and Summer were guests on Good Morning America where they advocated for breast cancer awareness.
During this appearance, the American Idol alum performed a special song for her friend called “Someone Somewhere.” At the end of the song, Pickler couldn’t hold back the tears any longer as she looked at Summer in the audience.
Just one year later, Kellie Pickler revealed that Summer Miller was officially cancer-free.
“[Summer] is doing great. She has handled it with such grace and class,” Kellie said during an interview with Queen Latifah.
The “Red High Heels” singer added that she gets tempted to shave her head again when she sees photos of herself and Miller sans hair.
“It’s so liberating to just break away from this stereotype we might feel like we need to live up to that’s just not even real,” Pickler said. “It’s low maintenance and I saved money on dye. I’m not really blond, y’all, so I don’t have any excuses.”
To learn more about breast cancer detection, testing and diagnosis, and to find out how you can support breast cancer research, visit the National Breast Cancer Foundation HERE.
