Miranda Lambert

Singer Miranda Lambert became one of the premier female country performers while frequently finding her personal life the subject of tabloid fodder. Born in Longview, Texas, she began her singing career while still in her teens. At 20, she appeared on the singing competition "Nashville Star" (USA Network/NBC, 2003-08), where she placed third. The exposure helped her get a recording contract with Epic Records. Her debut album, "Kerosene" (2004), hit number 1 on the Billboard Country charts. The album went platinum, and the title track peaked at number 15 on the country singles chart. Her second album, "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" (2007), solidified her status as a country music star. The disc reached number 1 on the country charts, as well as number 6 on the pop charts. It also gave Lambert her first top 10 single, "Gunpowder & Lead." Her next album, "Revolution" (2009), gave the singer her first number 1 single with "The House That Built Me." Beyond her solo career, she also teamed with Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley to form Pistol Annies. The trio released three albums, including the chart toppers "Hell on Wheels" (2011) and "Interstate Gospel" (2018). Her marriage to fellow country superstar Blake Shelton became a source of fascination for the public and media. The duo contributed to each other's recordings, and Lambert made appearances on Shelton's show "The Voice" (NBC, 2011-). When the pair divorced in 2015, it thrust the singer into an unwanted tabloid spotlight. However uncomfortable, the coverage of the split subsequently made Lambert one of the most recognizable recording artists of the time. Beyond singing, she made her acting debut in a 2012 episode of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (NBC, 1999-). She was also a fixture on awards shows and TV talk shows throughout her career. Her recording success continued as well with each of her subsequent solo albums topping the country charts and earning platinum status. She enjoyed crossover success with the song "Somethin' Bad," a duet with Carrie Underwood which became a top 20 hit on the pop charts. A mark of her popularity, Lambert was named Female Vocalist of the Year by the Country Music Association seven times.