Country music superstar Chely Wright has never been keen to publicly discuss her sexuality.

Until now.

"There had never, ever been a country music artist who had acknowledged his or her homosexuality," she tells People.com. "I wasn't going to be the first." 

But that's exactly what's transpired, and Wright couldn't be prouder.

"Nothing in my life has been more magical than the moment I decided to come out," she says.

During her childhood in the South and rise to fame in the country music world, the singer faced obstacles when she realized that homosexuality wasn't always accepted in her community.

"I hid everything for my music," Wright says.

The 39-year-old musician, who was named the Academy of Country Music's Top New Female Vocalist in 1999, will be the first major country artist to come out.

Her new memoir, "Like Me: Confessions of a Heartland Country Singer," hits book shelves on Tuesday, the same day her new album, "Lifted off the Ground," drops.

Wright will also appear on Wednesday's "Today" show discuss her new projects and personal journey.