Wish Me Away

After years of concealing her true self, Chely Wright emerges as the first openly gay commercial country music artist, challenging cultural norms in Nashville, her conservative family background, and most significantly, her own self-perception. This film, with exclusive access over two years, including her personal video diaries, intertwines Chely’s journey to stardom while keeping her identity hidden in the late 90s with her strategic plan to come out, leading to the pivotal moment when she publicly announces her sexuality. The documentary explores the damaging effects of internalized homophobia and the empowering impact of embracing one’s true identity. It also captures the mixed reactions from Nashville, the heartland, and the LGBT community as Chely Wright faces an uncertain future.