Kellie Pickler's career started when she finished sixth on Fox's 'American Idol,' and she has since catapulted to stardom, garnering multiple awards and a slew of hits. During Wednesday night's 41st Annual CMA Awards, it all caught up with Pickler, who gave a tearful performance of 'I Wonder,' a song she wrote about her estranged mother Cynthia Malone, who abandoned her when she was just two years old. Nashville's audience rose to applaud not only Pickler's performance, but her struggle -- and ultimate triumph -- to rise to the top. Watch the touching performance after the jump.

More From TheBoot