Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media Inc.
The singer discusses her religious upbringing in Kentucky and debuts a steamy duet, “If I Don’t Leave, I’m Gonna Stay,” with Riley Green.
Carly Pearce has shared insights about the complex relationship between faith and personal identity that influenced her upbringing in the Southern United States.
In a recent discussion with Fox News Digital, the 35-year-old country singer, who recently collaborated with Riley Green on the sensual duet “If I Don’t Leave, I’m Gonna Stay,” reflected on the inspiration behind her earlier song “Church Girl.”
The track tells the story of a young woman who believes in God but struggles with guilt and judgment from others for living outside traditional Christian norms.
Pearce, who grew up in a religious household in rural Kentucky, said she instantly connected with the themes in “Church Girl.”
“I loved it because, as a woman of faith in the South, there are so many early lessons about sex, shame, and judgment,” she said. “Many of us carry that guilt while trying to live a Christ-centered life.”
She added that her own experiences, including navigating public scrutiny and personal hardships such as her divorce, influenced her connection to the song.
“I wanted this track to feel like an anthem for anyone on a journey, reminding them that they are seen and cared for,” Pearce said.
Pearce married fellow country musician Michael Ray in October 2019 but filed for divorce eight months later in June 2020. She has described that time as one of the most difficult in her life and admitted to feeling embarrassed about the split.
“I was ashamed when it happened… heartbroken, too,” Pearce told Bunnie XO’s podcast, “Dumb Blonde,” in August 2025.
In a January interview with People, she explained that she also experienced spiritual guilt over the divorce. Pearce said “Church Girl” was the kind of song she wished she had growing up, as it offered comfort during her very public breakup.
“I needed it while going through that very visible end of a relationship,” she said. “I felt like I had disappointed God, questioned my faith, wondered if I was still a Christian or if God had turned against me.”
Pearce reflected on the lessons she has since embraced: “If I could speak to my younger self, I’d say, ‘You’re okay, we’re all figuring it out, and no matter where you are on your journey, Jesus loves you.’”
She hopes listeners struggling with faith or personal identity take away a sense of community and understanding from “Church Girl.”
“You’re not alone, and everyone has challenges. No one else has the right to judge your journey,” she said.
Looking back, Pearce described faith as a grounding force throughout the highs and lows of her career.
“In a business that’s so unpredictable, faith keeps me centered,” she said.
Released as a single on Jan. 23, “Church Girl” will appear on Pearce’s upcoming fifth studio album, which follows her 2024 release, “Hummingbird,” and marks a return to her Kentucky and Appalachian bluegrass roots.
Pearce reflected on how her childhood in Kentucky shaped her love for music.
“I had the best family and grandparents who instilled in me a love for traditional country and bluegrass,” she said. “They inspired my dream of performing at the Grand Ole Opry. I started performing at age 10 in a bluegrass band, traveling around Kentucky, and those memories are where my love of music began.”
She emphasized that those early experiences still influence her work today:
“That 10-year-old girl fronting a bluegrass band with older men is still part of who I am. I want to make music that lasts, staying true to my roots without relying on studio tricks,” she said.
Pearce’s duet with Green, “If I Don’t Leave, I’m Gonna Stay,” also features on the upcoming album. The song explores the tension of a relationship where two people are drawn to each other despite knowing it may be unhealthy.
Speaking about the recording process, Pearce noted that while neither she nor Green wrote the song, they drew on universal experiences to capture the emotional push-and-pull.
“As storytellers and performers, you tap into emotions everyone can relate to. I think we’ve both been in situations where we stayed in relationships longer than we should have,” she said.
