Tragedy changed wannabe astronaut into singer

By Shayla Papik —

Aim for the moon, and you might become… a country singer.

Anne Wilson wanted to be an astronaut. But the Lexington, Kentucky, girl changed course when her brother, Jacob, died at 23 from a car crash.

“I realized how short these years on earth are, that heaven is the final destination, Heaven is where I want to work towards,” Anne says. “I want to tell people about Jesus. I want to work as hard as I can to introduce Jesus to as many people as I can.”

She now has 2B global streams. Her three albums — My Jesus, Rebel and Stars — have earned her a Grammy nomination, two GMA Dove Awards and a Billboard music award.

Piano lessons as a child didn’t impress her until her brother passed. The shock and grief was such that she turned to the piano for solace.

She was 15 when she belted out Hillsong Worship’s “What A Beautiful Name” at his funeral.

The response was overwhelming, and she felt called by God.

She reposted a cover of the song on YouTube, and it garnered 800K views. It also got the attention of Capitol Christian Music Group, who quickly signed her.

“My Jesus” became the first debut single by a female solo artist ever to reach No. 1 on Billboard’s Christian Airplay chart.

Her newest album, Stars (Blue Hour Deluxe), released July 10.

“I wouldn’t be here if my brother hadn’t passed away,” Anne says. “But I also am so grateful to be here. I’m so grateful that I get to share Jesus with people and that I get to encourage people in the Lord. I would trade it all to have my brother back. But I’m so grateful that God used (his death) for good.”

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