Country music star Carly Pearce is getting candid about the complicated intersection of faith, identity, and personal struggle—revealing how her upbringing in the South shaped both her beliefs and her battles.

In a recent interview, the Grammy-winning singer reflected on her childhood in a religious environment, sharing that while her faith has remained a steady anchor, it also came with challenges that many believers quietly wrestle with.

“As a woman of faith, especially in the South, it comes with a lot of things from your childhood — you know, around sex shame or the judgment and guilt that a lot of us feel just trying to navigate living a life that’s Christ-like,” Pearce said.

Her honesty is resonating with fans, especially through her song “Church Girl,” which speaks to those trying to reconcile their love for God with feelings of failure or criticism. The track, she explained, is deeply personal—born out of her own experiences of heartbreak, public scrutiny, and spiritual doubt.

Pearce, who went through a highly publicized divorce in 2020, admitted that the season left her carrying not just emotional pain, but also spiritual confusion.

“I was embarrassed when it happened … and I had shame around that and was heartbroken,” she previously shared. Reflecting on that time, she also recalled questioning her faith: “Does this mean I’m not a Christian? Does this mean that God hates me?”

Those questions, she said, are more common than many people realize—especially among those raised in faith communities where expectations can feel overwhelming.

But over time, Pearce says her perspective has shifted. Rather than viewing her struggles as failures, she now sees them as part of a larger journey of grace.

“I wish I could go back and tell her, ‘You’re OK… we’re all on a journey… and no matter where you’re at on your journey, Jesus loves you,'” she said.

That message—one of compassion over condemnation—is at the heart of “Church Girl.” Pearce hopes the song serves as an anthem for anyone who has ever felt judged or alone in their walk with God.

“That you’re not alone and that we all have different struggles, and it is certainly not anybody else’s place to judge your struggle,” she said.

Despite the tension she experienced growing up, Pearce made it clear that she has not walked away from her faith. In fact, she says it’s what continues to ground her in an industry known for its ups and downs.

“I rely on my faith a lot,” she explained. “In a culture and in a business that’s so fleeting… It’s the thing that keeps me grounded.”

Looking back, Pearce also expressed gratitude for her upbringing in Kentucky, where her family and early exposure to bluegrass music helped shape both her career and her values. Those roots, she says, still influence her today as she enters what she describes as the healthiest and happiest season of her life.

Her story is a reminder that faith journeys are rarely perfect—and that grace often meets us in the very places we feel most broken.