Chely Wright Net Worth

What is Chely Wright's Net Worth?

Chely Wright is an American country music artist, business executive, and LGBTQ activist who has a net worth of $9 million. Chely Wright rose to fame in the late 1990s with her hit singles "Shut Up and Drive" and "Single White Female," and she later had success with such albums as "Never Love You Enough," "The Metropolitan Hotel," and "Lifted Off the Ground." Having come out publicly in 2010, Wright is a prominent LGBTQ activist and is the subject of the 2011 documentary film "Wish Me Away."

Early Life and Education

Chely Wright was born Richell Wright on October 25, 1970 in Kansas City, Missouri as the youngest of three children of Cheri and Stan. She was raised in nearby Wellsville. Due to her father's alcoholism, her parents temporarily separated and she lived for a while with her mother and siblings in Ottawa, Kansas. In grade school, Wright discovered her homosexuality, which conflicted with her Christian upbringing and caused her great distress. She found an outlet through music, about which she had been passionate all through her childhood. Wright played the piano and the trumpet in addition to performing in singing groups. When she was 14, she started the country music group County Line, with her father on bass. Later, just before graduating from high school, Wright performed in the Ozark Jubilee in Branson, Missouri. For her higher education, she took some classes at Middle Tennessee State University.

Career Beginnings

After graduating from high school, Wright moved to Nashville, Tennessee and performed in stage productions at Opryland USA. She spent one season there, and then found work at a local sporting goods store. In the summer of 1990, Wright returned to Opryland USA.

Recording Career

In 1993, Wright signed a contract with PolyGram/Mercury Records. She released her debut studio album, "Woman in the Moon," the following year. Although a limited commercial success, the album garnered Wright the ACM Award for Top New Female Vocalist. She went on to release her second album, "Right in the Middle of It," in early 1996. Like her first album, it received critical praise but was a commercial disappointment. Wright subsequently left PolyGram/Mercury, found a new manager and publicist, and signed to MCA Records Nashville. The career change helped enormously, as Wright had her commercial breakthrough with her next album, "Let Me In." Released in 1997, it reached number 25 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart and launched Wright's first hit single, "Shut Up and Drive." She had an even greater hit in 1999 with the song "Single White Female," from her album of the same name. The song peaked atop Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart while the album reached number 15 on the Top Country Albums chart. Two more singles were released from the album, both of which charted: "It Was" and "She Went Out for Cigarettes."

Wright released her fifth studio album, "Never Love You Enough," in 2001. Another success, it peaked at number four on the Top Country Albums chart and spawned the hit single "Jezebel." Wright eventually left MCA, and in 2003 she co-wrote the song "I Can't Sleep" for fellow country singer Clay Walker. In 2004, she changed management and signed to the independent label Vivaton. However, Wright left Vivaton after just a month. She then started her own label, Painted Red, through which she released the EP "Everything." In early 2005, Wright released the album "The Metropolitan Hotel" on the independent label Dualtone. She followed that with a long hiatus before releasing her next album, "Lifted Off the Ground," in 2010. Containing material about her coming-out process, the album was acclaimed by critics and sold well. Wright took another five-year hiatus after that album. She returned in 2016 with "I Am the Rain," which was funded through Kickstarter. Critically acclaimed, it reached number 13 on the Top Country Albums chart. Wright went on to release the EPs "Santa Will Find You!" (2018) and "Revival" (2019).

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LGBTQ Activism

Wright was involved in activism and philanthropy before joining the LGBTQ movement. In 2000, she founded the nonprofit Reading, Writing and Rhythm to support music education in public schools. Over the ensuing years, Wright visited with military servicemen and veterans and denounced the US's homophobic "Don't ask, don't tell" policy. After coming out publicly in 2010 and releasing the memoir "Like Me: Confessions of a Heartland Country Singer," she became heavily involved in LGBTQ activism. Wright appeared on many television programs talking about her coming-out process and spreading awareness of issues affecting the LGBTQ community, including bullying and suicide. In 2011, her coming-out story was chronicled in the acclaimed documentary film "Wish Me Away." The year after that, Wright launched the charity Like Me to support members of the LGBTQ community.

Business Executive

In 2021, Wright became the Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at the office-interior company Unispace. She used her role to create partnerships with the National Minority Supplier Diversity Council and the Women's Business Enterprise National Council. In 2025, Wright became a senior vice president and head of corporate social responsibility at the facility management services company ISS A/S.

Film Appearances

In addition to being the subject of the 2011 documentary film "Wish Me Away" and featured in the 2024 documentary "Rebel Country," Wright acted in the 2001 Disney comedy "Max Keeble's Big Move," playing homeroom teacher Mrs. Styles.

Personal Life

Due to her Christian upbringing, Wright was scared and ashamed of her homosexuality for a long time. She had her first same-sex experience when she was 19, and from 1993 to 2004 she was in a committed relationship with another woman. During that time, in 1998 and 2000, respectively, Wright was briefly involved with fellow country artists Vince Gill and Brad Paisley. She ultimately broke up with her longtime girlfriend for fear of being outed by the Nashville music industry, leading to an emotional collapse that nearly ended in Wright's suicide.

Slowly, Wright came around to embracing her sexuality and realizing how she could help others. In 2008, she moved to New York City and became involved in the LGBTQ community there. During this time, Wright came out to family and some friends. She decided to come out publicly in 2010, when she became one of the first country music artists to do so in People magazine. In 2011, Wright married Sony Music marketing director and fellow LGBTQ activist Lauren Blitzer. Together, they have twin sons named George and Everett.

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