Why I care about stars’ business

Nancy Wilson is a morning radio personality for K99.1-FM.


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I wouldn’t consider myself that much of a gossip. I’ve had plenty of incorrect information out there about me in my time on earth, and it’s no fun to hear it. But I’m not going to lie: doesn’t mean I don’t want to be informed.

I read People magazine. I watch E News and Entertainment Tonight, and I’ll troll the Internet to see what scoop TMZ has. I’m fully aware most of that stuff is fluff, especially when it’s “a known source” or “a friend of the (famous person).” Funny how they never have a name, huh?

But when it comes to country artists, I’m a little more involved, not only because I work in the radio industry but also because I’m a fan. Because of their music, I feel like I know these people. Of course, I don’t personally know them. Meeting Miranda Lambert and Luke Bryan a few times doesn’t mean they remember me or that I have their cellphone numbers. But it does mean I take an interest in their lives.

When Luke Bryan’s sister Kelly died suddenly in 2007 at the age of 39, Luke was just another up-and-comer. When his brother in law, Kelly’s husband, Ben Lee Cheshire died last November from a possible heart attack that left three young people without parents. Luke and his wife, Caroline, took over parental duties. “You don’t want to sound like you love having them so much that you’re glad it’s the situation, but we’re honored to be doing what we feel was the right thing,” Luke told Billboard this summer. The older two are on their own, but youngest nephew Til has joined Luke’s younger sons Tate and Bo in the Bryan household.

By now you know country power couple Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert divorced after four years of marriage. Around the same time Reba McEntire announced her split from Narvel Blackstock, and Jake Owen said he and wife Lacey were splitting.

Luke has some good insight on his buddy Blake’s split from Miranda: “Divorce out of the public eye is a tremendous thing to have to deal with,” he said to ET. “So, when they’re in the public eye, you hope they’re good. You hope they’re happy.”

Since the Shel-bert split, Blake has been spotted by “an insider” whooping it up with some hotties in Cancun and has been linked to his fellow “Voice” judge Gwen Stefani, who is divorcing husband Gavin Rossdale. Couldn’t it be that Blake and Gwen just happen to work together?

Just this week, OK! Magazine has a story that Blake’s ex Miranda has been seeing country singer Sam Hunt “for two months.” (You do the math.) An “insider” told the mag, “Miranda and Sam can’t help but flirt. Spending time with Sam has been a huge lift for Miranda. They are getting very close … and that is exactly what Miranda needs right now.” Maybe it’s because Miranda and Sam are heading out on tour with Kenny Chesney next year?

Our K99.1FM Facebook fans are split. Some are not happy: “Eww, why?” Some are: “Love Sam and Miranda. They’re adults. Go for it!” And some don’t care: “I think it’s none of my business.” And that, at the end of the day, is true.

So why do I care? Because they come in my life every day through the radio or on TV, on my phone or the Internet, I feel like they’re my friends and that in some small way I do know them. And as with anyone you know, as Luke says, you hope they’re good and happy.

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