Cheras mother got her break in comedy when she went to the theme park in Opryland USA in Nashville, Tennessee, while she was majoring in Theater Arts at Austin Peay State University. Chonda was pretty popular herself, and she and David formed a friendship that turned romantic. And she is sharing her story with others in order to deliver a message to the world: The spiritual path out of depression is to realize that not only is Gods love for us unconditional, but that we also must love God unconditionally, no matter what adversity we face. 185.120.79.100 Further, a 10-year study of 114 adults found that those who considered religion or spirituality more important to them were significantly less likely to be depressed over time. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Everything in the word of God theres nothing in there that says that the Devil has the last word, she said. Over the years, Chonda's daughter, Chera, began to resent her parents. I think he really dwells with us. To establish herself as a comedian, she recorded Second Row, Piano Side. I look back and sometimes say, Why havent I given up? she said. Chera Kay Pierce is a celebrity kid. In 1999, the U.S. surgeon generals report on mental health identified stigma as one of the greatest barriers to people seeking treatment. After admitting he had a problem, her husband went into rehab and counseling, but David never beat his addiction. Chonda Pierce is the mother of two children: Chera Pierce Meredith and David Zachary Pierce. David struggled taking care of his divorced, alcoholic. We will always love you. They had me because I was speaking about something that needed to be heard. Chonda, a preacher's kid from Ashland City, grew up hearing that alcohol was evil, and if she drank, she was going to hell in a handbasket. . Oh, God, why have you forsaken me?. On the other hand, Pierce has lived through years of tremendous sadness and tragedy, including childhood physical abuse at the hands of her father, the loss of both of her sisters at a young age, the loss of her mother, her husbands battle with alcoholism and eventual death, and her estranged relationship with her daughter. Maybe your chemistry has done a flip-flop in all of this, and were going to have to start taking some medicine to start equaling that out., People ask me all the time, Is depression because you have some hidden sin in your life? And I always laugh and say, If God dont know it, I aint knowing it, she said. And she continued to grieve the loss of her relationship with her daughter. I was already set up to be a comic, then I got depressed. I pulled at it, and under, it was full of cans and bottles, all empty. But it wasnt easy. She takes that vulnerability to a new level in a documentary about losing her husband, Laughing in the Dark, out April 5 on DVD. That keeps me going and lets me know that he's not out to get me, he's not trying to pick on me. Being the daughter of one of the widely popular and well-earned comedians, the 38-year-old celebrity kid has had a comfortable life whose wealth is yet to be reviewed. One of the greatest things that we did was that they would set up a puzzle on the table, and I would sit at the table with the puzzle with my kids, with my husband or just sit there. David went to treatment at Cumberland Heights for 30 days in 2011, and Chonda sold their Murfreesboro home to free herself of painful memories and moved them both to a downtown Nashville condo. Follow Sasha Bogursky on Twitter@SashaFB. When youre depressed, youre achy and you want to isolate. window.mc4wp.listeners.push( It's a great movie for your whole family. Inspirational Country music Awards and Christian Music Hall of Fame Awards are among the stage shows she hosted. Be the first to get hottest news from our Editor-in-Chief, Check your email and confirm your subscription. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Chonda Pierce is the mother of two children: Chera Pierce Meredith and David Zachary Pierce. What: Sams Place Music for the Spirit, hosted by Steven Curtis Chapman, with performances by Pierce, Chris Tomlin, Christy Nockels, The Gettys and The SteelDrivers, Website: http://ryman.com/events/Sams_Place_041016, What: Laughing in the Dark documentary on DVD. Las mejores ofertas para Puedo verme a m mismo en sus globos oculares: Dios est ms cerca de lo que piensas por Chonda Pierce estn en eBay Compara precios y caractersticas de productos nuevos y usados Muchos artculos con envo gratis! During her USO tours, she performed for the troops. But you begin to have common interests. Chonda Pierce is the mother of Chera and is a recognized comedy queen. It's very interesting. We all get depressed. Chondas husband was a professor and an alcohol addict. Believe me, I am not a perfect Christian.. When she eventually came of age, she got married and cut off all contact with her parents and family. When you dive into the New Testament, you see the love that Jesus had for others. Chera was born on February 13, 1984, a few years after her parents were married. I just sat on that garage floor.. The two dated on an off, and shortly after college, they got married. Pierce recalls being a terrible dancer and being told by her boss to find a new talent. In order to keep her job, she memorized three pages of jokes from Grinders Switch, TN and went on to impersonate Minnie Pearl for six years. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Why are you not listening to my prayers? The story of Kenny Chesney's New Wife. Chonda Pierce is a contemporary gospel stand-up comedian, television presenter, author, and actress. 998 views1 year ago. She is a member of the Christian Comedy Association, but outside of the comedy, she is the spokesperson of World Vision, and she works for different Christian organizations. She had appearances in many homecoming recordings of the Gaithers. As of 2022, Chera is 38 years, and many records indicate that she is married with kids. Check your inbox to be the first to know the hottest news. And they had me because I was depressed. And the social isolation can then result in worsening depression. She is, however, a private individual, and it is impossible to know where she is and what she is doing. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. . And then your thinking is even more cloudy, Pierce said. Her daughter is Chera Kay Pierce, while her son is David Zachary. Variety raved about her ability to draw audiences for an encore performance for Chonda Pierce: Laughing in the Dark.. In October 2015, Pierce took her humor to the big screen with her first film Chonda Pierce: Laughing In The Dark, based on her personal struggle to overcome depression. Chonda Ruth Pierce (ne Courtney, born March 4, 1960), is a Christian comedian often billed as "The Queen of Clean." Background [ edit] She was born, Chonda Ruth Courtney, [1] in Covington, Kentucky, on March 4, [2] 1960, [3] while she was raised in South Carolina, by her father who was a preacher and mother, Virginia Whalen. This vicious cycle can apply to a depressed persons social support as well. He was a state wrestling champion and also played the guitar. The world we live in today, it was not supposed to be this way. I loved the sound of an audience laughing. The patients were standing on the porch. She was born on March 4th, 1960, in Covington, Kentucky, United States. Chonda Pierce: Girl Talk. Chonda and her husband, David W. Pierce, gave birth to two children. Chera Pierce is the firstborn in her family and has one sibling. He passed on due to complications resulting from the stroke her suffered. When she went to pay the college bills, she did not know how to dance and decided to memorize the jokes of Grinders Switch while she also had to impersonate her cousin Minnie Pearl. Chonda Pierce's comedy calendar continues up to now, and some of her comedy segments are found on Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Radio's Laugh. Then she got angry. For comedian Chonda Pierce, comedy isn't just her day job; it's also a way for her to share her faith and overcome depression. I pray you have a great day. Pierce got her start working at Opryland Theme Park in Nashville where she performed as Grand Ole Opry star Minnie Pearl. Her dad was a man-of-the-cloth who suffered in silence from bipolar disorder and turned to drinking and abusive behaviors. Selfie Dad: Directed by Brad J. Silverman. She co-hosted the GMA Dove Awards in 2012 and appeared on Entertainment Tonight, The View, Fox News Channel, and And Wanda Sykes,. They were a family of four, consisting of her husband and two children. "Chonda Pierce: Laughing In The Dark" opened October 27, 2015 at 500 theaters throughout the country for a one-night special event and was so incredibly popular, it returned to nearly 800 theatres for an additional one-night encore showing. Pierce: I believe in the Bible and what it says. It takes some effort and work to come up with a universal story that makes 2,000 people a night laugh and not have to go through the shock value and degrading people or talking about my bedroom. Chonda and Chera hit the headlines after Chonda revealed that her daughter cut ties with the family for the reasons she knows herself. And Ive been grateful for that, because Ive known people who give up on faith for a lot less.. } How come I have to walk this journey? Her name is in the limelight because of her mother, Chonda Pierce. Entertaining. Pierce, 59, is a preacher's daughter whose strict upbringing strongly discouraged profanity. May 15 FAMILY CAMP is all about family and faith and it's FUNNY! PAY ATTENTION: Click See First under the Following tab to see TUKO News on your News Feed, Get the news that matters from one of the leading news sites in Kenya, Linet Toto's Dowry: 7 Delectable Photos from MP's Negotiation Ceremony, Kenyans Share Hilarious Memes, Frustrations as KPLC Announces Nationwide Power Blackout, Xtian Dela's Mum Cries Bitterly As She Begs Son to Come Home, Says She's Not Seen Him in 4 Years, Couple Lose KSh 3.4m on Their Wedding After Guests Don't Show Up: "So Heartbroken", Who is Mary Nolan? She is an American by birth. Stop having the affairs. We're in a culture that accepts that stuff and that to me is the sadder part of the story then someone who degrades women in a way that's just not clever anymore. Unfortunately, not much information about her is known. She started in comedy because of a six-year stint on the Park of Nashville in Tennessee called Opryland USA. Yet she remarkably makes her way through the adversity, heart-wrenching loss and her own depression with the gift of humor! She performed many times at The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. callback: cb Theres nothing physically wrong. Chonda is a comedian; she spreads laughter and happiness to others. People say, What if you die and find out there is no heaven?, And I go, Well, what did I lose? Pierce: That's the amazing thing about social media. The night he got out, Chonda made him sausage, meatballs and spaghetti dinner, and they ate by candlelight. And we would not get discouraged when we dont get our way., Pierce explained how her view of Jesus reflects this concept of unconditional love. As the undisputed highest-selling female comedian of all time, this preacher's daughter is here to share some of her funniest stories with you and your whole family. Chera got married, had kids, and cut off all contact with her parents and family. Im in it. And I know there was a time when I was thoroughly convinced that life needed to be over, she said. And I look back now and see the anger in my brain that could be the catalyst of all of this. And thats a good thing to strive for. And it has really taught me unconditional love for God. PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app! Tell somebody youre sorry. The limited engagement documentary-style film was so well received that it was brought back for a very special encore performance and in total was viewed by nearly 100,000 people over the course of just two nights. Chonda and David W. Pierce were high school sweethearts. 425425 91 comments 1 share Share Their mother, Virginia, passed away in 2012. By Martha Rose Brown, T&D Staff Writer. People are hurting and they need that inspiration. Chonda Pierce is the mother of Chera and is a recognized comedy queen. And so I think thats where we really all struggle -- because were not Jesus. Shes the top selling female comedian of all time, with performances such as Laughing in the Dark and her new Dove Channel comedy series, Chonda Pierce Presents Stand-Up for Families. Additionally, Pierce is a devout evangelical Christian, one whose faith has been a great source of strength and community. Summary: Chonda Pierce has two children: Chera Pierce Meredith (one daughter, born February 13, 1984) and David Zachary Pierce (her son, born September 6, 1989.) The film is a behind-the-scenes journal chronicling Pierces downward spiral dealing with the devastating loss of her mother, an estranged daughter and the tragedy of her husbands battle with alcoholism and subsequent death, all over the course of three years. But I also feel grateful that what I do for a living, even just sharing a laugh for people, you get to see how much it pulled them out of dark. [3], Pierce got her start in comedy during a six-year stint at a theme park in Nashville, Tennessee called Opryland USA. **Please note that due to scheduling and other constraints at this time we are accepting inquiries for private engagements only, and that will not be advertised** I miss The Carol Burnett Show, and I'm hoping it becomes something like that. Chonda lost her two sisters, Charlotta Kay and Cheralyn Ann, before turning 18 years old. Throughout her massively successful career she has released ten comedy DVDs. By signing up, you agree to the our terms and our Privacy Policy agreement. . After being hospitalized and diagnosed, Pierce saw immediate improvement. It was hard on her parents. 426426 91 comments 1 share Share A few months later, David started drinking again. Individuals with depression may have more difficulty engaging in the behaviors necessary to maintain relationships, thus eroding their existing social support. People are often afraid of being judged or that information about their mental illness will somehow become public, and as a result, do not seek care. I think that for people who are religious people, if you believe that there is good, and there is a God, and there is an entity out there that is divine, then you believe God has a tool set. Chonda, a preachers kid from Ashland City, grew up hearing that alcohol was evil, and if she drank, she was going to hell in a handbasket. And I could speak with authority now, because Im there. She has also been featured in several movies and television series. But I will say they're walking in all the light they know. Frantic, she called an ambulance to their Murfreesboro home. Chera was raised alongside her brother in Ashland City. He wants to know whats going on with your heart more than he wants to know whats going on with your head. On the one hand, Pierce, . I pray you have a great day. How many siblings does Chera Kay have? Though he and Chonda began as acquaintances, their relationship grew into a full-fledged romance over time. Chonda dealt with the pain by crying often. (252) 5.1 1 h 16 min 2013 13+. Chonda's relationship deteriorated while David Pierce was struggling with alcoholism. Through this experience, Pierce realized that many people in her community were also ashamed of being depressed and feared that seeking help would divulge the fractures in their relationships with God. You can get away with saying a whole lot, she said. Her father, David W. Pierce, worked as an English professor at Middle Tennessee State University. These events in part fueled Pierce's bout with severe depression, . In addition to her accolades, Pierce is a frequent guest on famed Grand Ole Opry and has served as host of the Inspirational Country Music Awards and Christian Music Hall of Fame Awards and also co-hosted the GMA Dove Awards in 2012. But Pierce knows that her faith may get tested again and shes ready. You will laugh so hard at Chonda Pierce. This article about an American comedian is a stub. Im not cheating on my husband. With Chonda Pierce. Not knowing how to dance, she had to memorize jokes from Grinders Switch, Tennessee and impersonate Cousin Minnie Pearl. About 9 p.m., David, saying he had missed driving, went to pick up some food for their dog, Jack. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a2d7dfb98fcbca6 I was anxious, nervous and couldnt eat very much. I read the posts on my Facebook page and it would make anybody cry. When Chonda got home from the hospital that night, she wandered into the garage and saw a tarp on the floor. But it was the physical movement getting from my bed and getting dressed, going into the kitchen. She grew up in South Carolina. All rights reserved. Cheras mother was born Chonda Ruth Courtney on March 4, 1960, in Covington, Kentucky. 6 Signs That Youre Depressed and Ignoring It, Boosting Your Mood Beyond Meds and Therapy, 10 Things Everyone Should Understand About Depression, 15 Signs That Youre at Risk for Depression, A New Bodily Approach for Treating Anxiety and Depression. But Chonda Pierce also belongs on that list. I think Im at that stage where Im resolved and at peace, but grief is the gift that keeps on giving. I believe the sweetest stories in all of the Garden of Eden story was just before God banished Adam and Eve, God made them clothes. Did You Know Anxiety Can Enhance Our Relationships? That teaches me that he doesn't leave us empty handed. It was supposed to be a utopia that we were supposed to live in and God gave us a choice to love him or not, and I would imagine -- I'm not God -- but the thought process was 'I'm going to create all of this but I want to know that they really love me' and so he gave us free will and in that free will we make the choice to believe or not. Here is a look at what is available about her. But the thing that started weakening my faith a little bit is that it took so long for healing to kick in. She is 38 years old as of 2022 because she was born on February 13th, 1984. Who is Chera Kay's father? So, for every concert where someone didnt want to have me there, every promoter that canceled out on me, there were an equal number of people who were ready to have this message out there, she said. Theres a sweet resolve when you truly believe theres a heaven., YMCA staffers describe how they saved man's life. She had a tough time as a kid, growing up in the South as the daughter of an ultra-conservative preacher. While Minnie left some big shoes to fill a distinctive, well-worn pair of black Mary Janes to be exact after her passing in 1996, a new generation of female comedians have taken up the mantle in her honor at the Opry House, including regular Chonda Pierce, who impersonated Minnie while working at the old Opryland USA theme park. Chonda was born on March 4, 1960, in Covington, Kentucky, where she grew up. David W. Pierce, Chonda's husband, initially met as a sophomore at Cheatham County High School in Ashland City, Tennessee. Its a spiral that just sucks you down a dark, dark tunnel.. So the darks job is to keep you from thinking that., And the dark will do anything to keep you in the dark., Pierce explained how this relates to depression. There are so many that I think are so funny but I wouldn't take my kids to see them and I wouldn't want to sit and listen to them for an hour. Her comedy shows are also regularly aired on Sirius Satellite Radios Blue Collar Comedy and XM Radios Laugh USA. Then, there was that night David came home late slurring his words, and he ended up drunk in the hospital overnight while his wife wondered what was happening.