Blake Shelton‘s first wife, Kaynette Williams, stood by the country singer’s side during the challenging early days of his career. Born Kaynette Francis Gern on February 20, 1973, in Oklahoma City, she and Shelton attended the same high school, where their love story unfolded.
Working hand in hand, they navigated the twists and turns of Shelton’s rising career. Beyond being his sweetheart, Kaynette took on the role of his road manager. In the early 2000s, Shelton came to the realization that Kaynette was the one.
“I knew Kaynette was the one,” Shelton shared with Country Weekly. “It’s just something I feel – you know what I mean? It’s nothing more than just knowing you’re right.”
Shelton proposed in a truly country style during a December morning. “I got in from hunting that morning, asked her to marry me, and we went back out hunting,” he revealed. Naturally, Kaynette quickly said yes.
On November 17, 2003, in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Kaynette Williams and Blake Shelton exchanged vows in a modest ceremony. Kaynette looked stunning in her Demetrios wedding gown, while Shelton sported Wranglers, boots, and a cowboy hat. The night wouldn’t be complete without Shelton serenading his bride with Conway Twitty’s “Julia.”
Kaynette Williams and Blake Shelton’s Marriage Took an Unexpected Turn, Leading Them to The Doors of a Law Court
Three years after exchanging vows, Kaynette Williams and Blake Shelton decided to part ways, opting for a legal separation. The news saddened country fans, yet the divorce unfolded quietly without any significant issues.
In the 2006 divorce proceedings, Kaynette Williams accused the country sensation of “inappropriate marital conduct,” likely stemming from alleged infidelity with fellow country star Miranda Lambert.
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Shelton’s heart shifted toward Lambert during a duet at the CMT 100 Greatest Duets special in September 2005. Reflecting on this unexpected turn of events, Shelton admitted, “I’ve never had that kind of experience with anybody. I was a married guy, you know? Looking back on that, I was falling in love with her, right there on stage.”
Despite the challenges, Shelton emphasized the difficulty of the divorce with Kaynette Williams, comparing it to the pain of his brother’s tragic death. He described the divorce as “a tough, tough call to make.”
The aftermath of the breakup became the inspiration for his 2007 “Pure BS” album, with the highest-charting song, “Don’t Make Me.”
“I was making this record right through the divorce,” Shelton revealed. “I went through days where I knew I wanted to get a divorce, and then the next day I’d wake up and wouldn’t want to get a divorce. And I’d wonder, ‘What the hell am I doing? Why am I doing this?’ I was dumping all those emotions and pain into this album.”
While acknowledging he wasn’t ready for marriage, Shelton openly started dating Lambert immediately after separating from his first wife.
Kaynette Williams Made the Decision to Move Forward in Her Life
After the divorce, Kaynette Williams left Nashville and moved back to her home state of Oklahoma. But in a strange twist of fate, Shelton and Lambert moved to their new home in the state as well.
“After Blake and I split up, I moved from Tennessee back to Oklahoma. But then Blake and Miranda moved back there to a neighboring town, and it just felt like Oklahoma wasn’t big enough for all of us,” Williams opened up to the National Enquirer in 2011.
So she packed her things and moved to Kansas for a fresh start. She also sold many of her belongings, including her size 6 Demetrios wedding gown. The unique piece of country music memorabilia was found in eBay with a starting bid placed at $700, but there were no bids made.
Nowadays, Kaynette Williams finds herself in the happiest phase of her life, residing in the tranquility of Great Bend, Kansas. Embracing a quieter life, she works as a school teacher and has garnered awards for her excellence in the field. Her heart found a companion in Cody Jo Scheck, a rodeo steer riding champion. Interestingly, Cody is nearly seven years younger than Kaynette.
The couple, content with each other’s company, has chosen not to have children. Their lives unfold peacefully away from the spotlight of fame.
After enduring life’s ups and downs, Kaynette Williams has truly earned every bit of happiness that has come her way.
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