Ashley Judd’s autobiography is a publicity ploy?

The Judds

On the cusp of Naomi and Wynonna Judd’s new OWN network television series, comes another Judd project, All That is Bitter and Sweet, actress Ashley Judd’s new memoir. The book is already attaining a fair bit of notoriety, contents notwithstanding but namely for the odd timing on its release, which comes on the eve of her mother and sister’s new reality TV program. Many think it’s a publicity stunt, to hinge the success of one on the other, but its becoming clear this is an unlikely coincidence. In her book Ashley reveals shocking details of a not so ideal childhood, one in which she endured sexual abuse and even contemplated suicide. She goes further, stating she “pities [her] poor mother”, and tells People magazine “I know that my mom did the best she could as did my dad, but for a variety of reasons, it was just hurtful.” Hardly statements encouraging a harmonious cross promotion entreaty, and from the publication there is already a family rift. Wynona and Naomi are hitting the talk show circuit to promote their show, but often the interviews are turning to the book and its familial consequences, which are now strained. Ashley insists she’d rather the more sensational points of the book are not why she wrote it at all, rather she wants to bring attention to the various charities she supports, stating “our painful past becomes out greatest asset.” Something that should inspire us all to turn bad into good, and pay it forward.

The Judds