Julie Lauren Curtis remains a figure shrouded in both curiosity and tragedy, primarily known for her marriage to country star Trace Adkins and the 1994 shooting that nearly ended his life. While much of her story orbits Adkins’ fame, her life reveals layers of resilience, privacy, and quiet reinvention. This article explores her early years, pivotal moments with Adkins, and the aftermath of their explosive split.
Early Life and Background
Julie Lauren Curtis was born on December 19, 1961, in Springhill, Louisiana, to Jerry Wayne and Wanda Christine Smith Early. Growing up in a small Southern town, she later worked as an insurance salesperson in the 1990s, a career that grounded her before fame intersected with her life. Despite the public interest, she maintained a low profile, and details about her upbringing remain sparse.
Common misconceptions:
- She’s often confused with actress Julie Lauren (The Good Wife, Chicago Justice).
- Some sources mistakenly link her to artist Julie Curtiss, known for surrealist paintings.
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Julie Lauren Curtis |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Death | March 18, 2021 (Shreveport, LA) |
Marriage to Trace Adkins
Curtis met Trace Adkins in 1989 in Springhill, Louisiana, where he worked on an oil rig and pursued music part-time. Both had previous marriages, and Curtis became a stepmother to Adkins’ two daughters, Tarah and Sarah. They married on February 3, 1991, during a weekend trip to Lake Tahoe, and later moved to Nashville to support his music career.
Key challenges during their marriage:
- Alcoholism: Adkins’ heavy drinking fueled frequent arguments.
- Financial strain: Balancing construction work and music gigs created instability.
Adkins later wrote in his autobiography:
“I missed singin’ and pickin’. I talked it over with my new wife. She was game for us to relocate.”
The 1994 Shooting Incident
The couple’s relationship unraveled violently on President’s Day 1994. Adkins returned home drunk after a day of yard work, breaking a promise to quit drinking. Curtis confronted him, leading to a physical struggle over a .38 pistol.
How the altercation escalated:
- Threats: Adkins warned, “Give me the gun, or I’ll beat your brains out with it”.
- Gunfire: The bullet pierced both lungs and ventricles of Adkins’ heart—a “kill shot” by hunting standards.
- Aftermath: Adkins survived emergency surgery but spent weeks recovering. Police ruled the shooting accidental, and he declined to press charges.
The couple divorced months later, closing a chapter marked by volatility and survival.
Life After the Divorce
Post-divorce, Curtis remarried and retreated entirely from public view. She passed away on March 18, 2021, in Shreveport, Louisiana, at age 59. Adkins acknowledged her passing indirectly in interviews, noting in his book:
“I forgave her… It would be crazy to pretend we weren’t both to blame.”
Later years:
- Left her insurance career.
- Avoided media attention, with no confirmed photos or interviews post-1994.
Common Questions About Julie Lauren Curtis
Did she have children with Trace Adkins?
No. She helped raise his daughters from his first marriage but had no biological children.
Why did she shoot him?
The incident stemmed from a heated argument over Adkins’ drinking. He later admitted provoking her with threats.
What happened to her after the divorce?
She remarried, stayed out of the spotlight, and died in 2021. Adkins expressed happiness for her new life in his memoir.
Conclusion
Julie Lauren Curtis’ story is one of quiet resilience overshadowed by a single, life-altering moment. While her name remains tied to Adkins’ fame, her choice to live privately after their split speaks to a determination to reclaim her narrative. For more in-depth profiles of lesser-known figures in music history, visit readlymagazine.com.
