Her life is a country song (Created March 6, 2013)

Kellie Pickler didn't need FOX television stalwart "American Idol" to make her a star. The Albemarle, North Carolina native lived the heartache and sadness of a classic country song. But this former Sonic waitress, cheerleader and beauty queen used a Southern twang and some good ole' fashioned blonde ambition to kick in doors in the music industry and beyond.

Imagine, for a moment, being abandoned by your mother at the age of two. Imagine her returning to take custody of you years later, only to be physically and emotionally abusive and then disappear again – this time for good. Imagine not having a father because he's been in and out of jail throughout your childhood. Imagine being the center of court battles, and eventually raised by your grandparents. This wasn't a movie or TV script, but Pickler's life until she auditioned for "American Idol" in the fall of 2005.

While it's true that Pickler probably reached the Top 12 on "Idol" thanks in part to her 'quirky' personality and funny mispronunciation of words, she also tackled songs like Martina McBride's "How Far," Patsy Cline's "Walkin' After Midnight" and Todd Duncan's "Unchained Melody" before she was eliminated from the competition. She pursued a record deal in Nashville shortly thereafter, signing with BNA Records on July 17, 2006.

Though Pickler has made more headlines for her personal life than for her music, the three albums she's recorded have charted a number of hits. From her "Small Town Girl" debut in 2006 to an eponymous album two years later, singles like "I Wonder," "Don't You Know You're Beautiful" and "Best Days of Your Life" had her in the running for Top New Female Vocalist at the ACM Awards, and New Artist of the Year at the CMA Awards. Her latest project, "100 Proof," is another collection of songs that tackle the emotional intensity of her first two albums.

Married to songwriter Kyle Jacobs, whom she wed on June 15, 2010, Pickler is a recognized vegetarian, a long-time supporter of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and has participated in three USO tours. She recently became the first "Idol" contestant to be cast on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars."