Written soley by Adell, the single sheds light on her complicated background and relationship with her birth mother
Rising country-pop star Tanner Adell tells the true tale of pain and perseverance in new single “Going Blonde,” out now. Written alone by Adell on a Nashville barstool, “Going Blonde” digs into the impact of Adell’s adoption at birth to show a new side of the fearless talent. Revealing the discovery that made her who she is, “Going Blonde” brings new color to a distinctive country artist, who now wears her hair blonde in tribute to the mother she never got to meet – and to the woman she has become.
Raised by a loving family from the west coast, there was a part of Adell that always wondered about where she came from. After connecting with her brother years after doing a DNA test for an ancestry website – a Christmas gift from her adopted parents – the young country artist learned the origin behind her mom giving her up for adoption was actually untrue. In some ways, that very adoption was a mistake. The shock was only deepened by the news that her longed-for birth mother had died, robbing any chance to fill the empty spot in Adell’s soul.
Clinging onto a single picture of her mom, a blonde, blue-eyed knockout who Adell thought looked just like Dolly Parton, the artist dove deeply into Parton’s work, subconsciously seeking out connection. She soon found it in Parton’s debut single “Dumb Blonde,” and since Adell had always had natural blonde highlights, it suddenly struck her.
“Being blonde has been something that’s been a major part of my identity,” Adell explains. “But seeing that picture of my mom, and with the connection through Dolly Parton, it made me feel like I had a piece of my mom for the first time. It was a whole new meaning for me, like ‘This is a way that I’m going to keep her close.’” “Blonde has this connotation that’s sexy and outgoing – and a little bit ditsy,” she continues. “But I felt like I could take that and turn it into something more meaningful. I’m really putting my heart out there to be completely examined. It’s been five years since my brother found me. I think I’m still learning things and I’m definitely still grieving. But I’m ready to release it as a form of my own therapy.”
Adell took to social media earlier this week to reveal the story in her own words. The new track will help guide a whole new artistic chapter for Adell, as she works toward the release of her upcoming debut album. With more information coming soon, she finds the courage to reveal the serious songwriter hidden within, while still celebrating the courageous “Buckle Bunny” her fans love.
“It feels like I’m at 99% because there is a very big 1% that fans don’t know about me,” she explains. “But I’m ready to have that connection with them, and I think they’re ready for it.”
“Going Blonde” marks Adell’s first release of 2025, following a banner year of career milestones. With over 200 million global streams and counting, the 2025 People Artist to Watch checked many items off her bucket list with a sold-out headlining tour, a collaboration with superstar Beyonce, and more while bringing her patented brand of fierce femininity to the biggest domestic and international festivals.
