‘American Idol’ Alum Haven Madison Makes Major Career Move

“I’ve been dreaming of this day since I was a kid,” Madison shares.

By

Lauren Jo Black

| Posted on

December 12, 2023

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3:40 pm

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Haven Madison; Photo by ABC/Eric McCandless

American Idol alum Haven Madison made a major career move and has signed a record deal with 19 Recordings and BMG.  

Madison appeared on season 21 of American Idol and wowed the judges with an original song dubbed “Fifteen.” The tune allowed her to showcase her vocal skills and songwriting abilities.

Who Is Haven Madison’s Dad?

For her audition, the young contestant was accompanied by her father, Jason Roy, who is the lead singer of GRAMMY-nominated Christian contemporary music group, Building 429.  

The Clarksville, Tennesse native left the Idol judges, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan, in awe.  

Haven Madison; Photo Courtesy ABC, American Idol
Haven Madison; Photo Courtesy ABC, American Idol

“You can have it. You can have it right now,” they told Madison, who was just 16 years old at the time of her audition. 

“Absolutely,” Richie added. “In fact, let’s go to the studio right now. Let’s cut that song right now. Can we cut that song?” 

Her father was overcome with emotions when he witnessed the way the judges reacted to her performance. 

“The vocal decision you made, they were just like so on another level. And they’re so you and authentic and coming from your heart, that song has a lot of opportunity to be something,” Perry told her. 

Bryan who had declared, “We’re starting this day off good,” went on to praise her performance.  

Haven Madison; Photo Courtesy ABC, American Idol
Haven Madison; Photo Courtesy ABC, American Idol

“I mean, I think when a 16-year-old can really speak the 16-year-old language that all the other 16-year-olds want to hear, it’s really special. I mean, whatever y’all are doing is what,” the country superstar said. “Let Dad just hit the record button.” 

Earned A Golden Ticket To Hollywood

It was then revealed that Haven Madison would be going to Hollywood as she earned a “yes” from each member of the judges’ panel. 

Madison made her way into the Top 8 on American Idol, performing songs such as “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi, “You Learn” by Alanis Morissette, and “The Middle” by Zedd, Maren Morris, and Grey. 

Haven Madison; Photo by ABC/Eric McCandless
Haven Madison; Photo by ABC/Eric McCandless

When Did Haven Madison Go Home On American Idol?

She exited the competition after the Top 8 round, following her performance of the Morisstte hit. At the time, Luke Bryan told her, “I love that when we first met you, you were sitting at a piano playing original songs and now you’re up here… You’re real free with it, you’re smiling, you’re having fun, you’re making everybody comfortable in the moment and just what growth you’ve had. I kept waiting for the falsetto, but you gave us the full voice, it was great. Great performance, love seeing it!”

When bidding farewell to the competition, Madison thanked fans for their support. 

“My @AmericanIdol journey has come to an end. It has been such an honor to perform on that stage and to have bonded with the people that have turned into extended family along the way,” she wrote in a heartfelt Instagram post. “I am so happy to have shared my music with all of you and I hope you keep listening because there’s more where that came from. 🥰 Thank you for helping me live this dream of a lifetime!”

Photo ID (L-R): Joe Gillen (BMG), Katie Kerkhover (BMG), Jon Loba (BMG), Haven Madison, 
Thomas Coesfeld (BMG), JoJamie Hahr (BMG), Elissa Felman (19 Recordings), Peter Strickland (BMG); Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for BBR/BMG
Photo ID (L-R): Joe Gillen (BMG), Katie Kerkhover (BMG), Jon Loba (BMG), Haven Madison, Thomas Coesfeld (BMG), JoJamie Hahr (BMG), Elissa Felman (19 Recordings), Peter Strickland (BMG); Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for BBR/BMG

Signs With 19 Recordings and BMG

Through her new label deal, Haven Madison will pursue a career as a pop artist, however, BMG Nashville President Jon Loba says he sees some of the same qualities in her that he once saw in superstars like Faith Hill and Taylor Swift. 

“I had the privilege of working at companies where Faith Hill and Taylor Swift began their careers. While Haven Madison is not a Country artist, she has the same spirit and clarity Faith and Taylor had about what their vision was for their careers, along with a razor-sharpness about who they were and what they wanted to say to the world.  We can’t wait for everyone to hear Haven’s music and see her evolution over the last year,” Loba shared in a statement. 

Madison, who has released music independently since 2020, stated, “I’ve been dreaming of this day since I was a kid, and I couldn’t be more excited to have 19 Recordings / BMG beside me as I continue to share my art and passion with the world. 

19 Recordings’ Senior Vice President of Music Elissa Felman added, “Haven Madison is an artist with not only an immense amount of raw talent as a songwriter and a vocalist; but, she is also an artist with true artistic vision. Watching her grow from the young singer who auditioned for Idol into such a powerful artist ready for her big moment has been so exciting. I can’t wait for her fans to hear what she’s been creating since the show.” 

Haven Madison’s label debut tracks will be released soon.

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Lauren Jo Black

Written by

Lauren Jo Black

Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.