Trace Adkins’ Ex-Wife Julie Lauren Curtis: Where Is She Now?

Did you know that country singer Trace Adkins was once shot by his own wife — and survived?

Yes, it’s true. It happened many years ago, and the woman involved was his second wife, Julie Lauren Curtis. Their story is shocking, dramatic, and still makes people curious today. Who is Julie Lauren Curtis? Why did she shoot her husband? And where is she now?

In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about her — from how she met Trace Adkins, to what went wrong in their marriage, and what happened after that unforgettable night. Let’s dive into this story.

Julie Lauren Curtis Quick Bio

Who Is Julie Lauren Curtis?

Julie Lauren Curtis is known today because of her short and stormy marriage to country star Trace Adkins. They were married for only three years, but their relationship made headlines when it ended in a shocking way — with a gunshot.

Before marrying Trace, Julie lived a private life. She worked as an insurance salesperson during the early 1990s. She wasn’t famous and didn’t seem interested in the spotlight. But that all changed after her name appeared in the news.

Even now, many people wonder who she really was — not just the woman who shot Trace Adkins, but also the person behind the headlines.

How Julie Met Trace Adkins

Julie met Trace Adkins in 1989 in a small town called Springhill, Louisiana. At that time, Trace was not yet famous. He was working on an oil rig and trying to figure out his future. Both Julie and Trace had been through previous relationships, and they seemed to understand each other.

They started dating and got along well in the beginning. Julie was described as a kind and stable woman, and she got along with Trace’s two young daughters, Tarah and Sarah, from his first marriage.

Their connection felt strong, and after about two years together, they decided to get married.

Marriage Life of Julie and Trace Adkins

Julie and Trace got married on February 3, 1991, during a quiet weekend trip to Lake Tahoe. It wasn’t a big fancy wedding — just a simple ceremony to mark the start of their life together.

After the wedding, Trace asked Julie to move with him and the kids to Nashville, Tennessee. He wanted to chase his dream of becoming a country music singer. Julie agreed. The family packed up and started a new chapter.

In Nashville, Trace worked in construction during the day and tried to break into the music world at night. Julie supported him during this time and helped take care of his daughters.

What Went Wrong in Their Relationship?

At first, things seemed okay. But over time, the stress started to grow. Trace struggled with alcohol problems, and their arguments became more heated. Julie was upset that he kept drinking, especially after he promised to stop.

Their marriage slowly turned into a series of emotional fights. Small problems turned into big blow-ups. Even though they had moved to a new city for a fresh start, the troubles followed them.

Julie wanted stability. Trace was still chasing a dream. The gap between them kept growing.

The Night Julie Lauren Curtis Shot Trace Adkins

Everything changed in February 1994.

That day, Trace had been drinking beer while working outside. When Julie came home from work, she noticed he had broken his promise again. She was angry and frustrated. The argument got loud — and physical.

Julie tried to call her mother, but Trace slapped the phone off the wall. Feeling scared and upset, Julie opened the fridge, took out a .38 pistol they kept there for protection, and pointed it at him.

Trace later admitted in an interview that he threatened to beat her if she didn’t give him the gun. He said he was trying to scare her into handing it over. But during the struggle, the gun went off.

The bullet went straight through his lungs and heart.

Trace Adkins’ Injuries and Hospital Recovery

The injury was life-threatening. The bullet had passed through both of Trace’s lungs and both ventricles of his heart. He was rushed to the hospital by helicopter and taken into emergency surgery.

Doctors worked hard to save him. He spent time in the ICU, had multiple treatments, and slowly began to heal. It was a scary and painful experience, but somehow, he survived.

Trace later said that the physical pain didn’t bother him as much as the emotional scars. The shooting changed everything in his life.

Why Julie Lauren Curtis Was Not Charged

After the shooting, many people were shocked. How could something so serious happen inside a marriage? Would Julie Lauren Curtis go to jail for shooting her husband?

The answer surprised a lot of people — Trace Adkins chose not to press charges.

In an interview years later, Trace admitted that he threatened Julie during the argument. He said he told her he would hurt her if she didn’t give him the gun. He later said he never really meant it, but he hoped to scare her into stopping.

Because of this, the police decided the shooting was an accident, not a crime. Julie was not arrested, and no charges were filed. The couple quietly went their separate ways after that.

Julie Lauren Curtis and Trace Adkins’ Divorce

Shortly after the shooting, the marriage between Julie and Trace officially ended. In 1994, the same year of the incident, they got divorced.

There wasn’t much public drama. No big court battle. No long interviews. It all happened quietly.

Trace later talked about their breakup in his book. He didn’t seem angry. In fact, he said he was happy for Julie and wished her well in life. Their story had a dark chapter, but it seemed like both of them wanted to move on.

Did Julie Lauren Curtis Remarry?

So what happened to Julie Lauren Curtis after the divorce?

Trace shared in his book that Julie had remarried at some point. But no one knows who her new husband is or where she lives now. She never gave any interviews, and she never spoke publicly about her past with Trace.

In fact, Julie disappeared completely from the public spotlight. There are no photos, no social media accounts, and no updates in the news.

Some websites claim she became an actress later, but that’s likely a different person with the same name.

Where Is Julie Lauren Curtis Now?

That’s the question fans still ask today: Where is Julie Lauren Curtis now?

The truth is, we don’t know. She has kept her life completely private. After her divorce from Trace Adkins, she stepped away from the spotlight and never looked back.

Unlike Trace, who became a famous singer and actor, Julie chose a quiet life. She didn’t want fame. She didn’t try to tell her side of the story. And even now, decades later, her location and life status remain a mystery.

But maybe that’s how she wants it. Some people don’t want to be known. They just want peace.

What Happened to Trace Adkins After the Divorce?

Trace Adkins didn’t give up after the shooting or the divorce. In fact, his music career took off not long after.

He released 16 albums, won CMT and ACM awards, and even got Grammy nominations. He also became a TV and movie actor, appearing in shows like Monarch and The Lincoln Lawyer.

He married again — two more times, in fact. His third wife, Rhonda Forlaw, was with him for 17 years, and they had three daughters together. After their divorce, he married Victoria Pratt, a Canadian actress, in 2019. They’re still together today.

Even after all the pain, Trace built a successful life — both personally and professionally.

Final Thoughts

Julie Lauren Curtis will always be remembered as Trace Adkins’ ex-wife — the woman who once shot him during a heated fight. It’s a story that still shocks people today.

But beyond that one night, we don’t know much about her. She didn’t chase fame. She didn’t try to tell her side. She quietly moved on with her life.

And maybe that’s the most powerful part of the story. Sometimes, people choose to let go of the past and start fresh — even if the world is still talking about them.

Julie Lauren Curtis may be gone from the spotlight, but her story is still remembered. And it reminds us all that not every chapter ends the way we expect.

(FAQs)

Is Julie Lauren Curtis still alive?

Yes, Julie Lauren Curtis is believed to be alive, but she has completely disappeared from the public eye. No one knows where she is now.

Did Julie Lauren Curtis really shoot Trace Adkins?

Yes, in 1994, she shot Trace Adkins in the chest during a heated argument. He nearly died but survived after emergency surgery.

Did Julie Lauren Curtis have any children?

No, Julie did not have any children with Trace Adkins, and there is no public record of her having children after their divorce.

Did Julie Lauren Curtis go to jail for shooting Trace Adkins?

No, she was never arrested. Trace Adkins chose not to press charges, and the shooting was ruled an accident.

Where is Julie Lauren Curtis now? Did she remarry?

Julie reportedly remarried, but her current life is a mystery. No one knows where she lives or what she does today.