‘American Idol’ Sensation Megan Danielle Reflects On Her Spiritual And Artistic Growth
“I’ve literally prayed to be where I’m at today and I can’t thank him enough,” the young singer shared of her gratitude toward God.
Megan Danielle; Photo by ABC/Eric McCandless
Ever since American Idol finalist Megan Danielle discovered how powerful having a solid, faith-filled foundation can be, she’s made it a point to be open about this journey and its impact on her life and career.
The Season 21 Idol runner-up recently sat down for a conversation with Country Now and opened up about this important part of her life. While her relationship with God has always been intertwined with aspects of her singing and songwriting, the 21-year-old artist admitted that it took some time for her to fully establish a strong understanding of her spirituality.
“The first time I started singing, I wasn’t too familiar with God. Like I knew the name God, but I think as time went on, I finally realized, oh, he’s real. Like I can have a good connection with him,” she shared.
During her time on the singing competition show, Danielle found comfort in the fact that several other contestants held the same values and beliefs as her. She also revealed that most of their moments focused on prayer and faith-based conversations were not aired for viewers at home to see.
“There were plenty of times where us contestants would just be singing worship songs. We’d be praying, we’d be just really taking the time to thank God, and sadly, you know, TV shows they won’t air that as much, but it would’ve been cool because nothing would’ve happened for me or for any of the contestants without God’s plan.”
Despite this fact, the Georgia native has never hidden her faith and now that she’s embarking on a new musical journey with a growing platform, she’s able to continue making the kind of music that best fits her artistry.
“I would like to be a Christian country artist. I don’t really wanna pick one, just because I love both genres and I feel like my sound is already really country. So I just like to write a lot of songs that are faith-based,” Danielle explained.
This is evident through the songs she’s already released including “Top of The World” and “All Around.” Danielle’s most recent release, “Dream Girl,” was co-penned by Season 17 Idol alum Laci Kaye Booth and Logan Wall and unveiled during her time on the show.
Although she has yet to drop new music, Danielle revealed that she is frequently writing and has even started to showcase some of her unreleased work through live performances of songs like “When I Found You” and “Where I’m Home.”
Danielle explained that getting to sing these songs on her current supporting run with fellow Idol alum, Maddie Poppe, has become one of her favorite moments in the show. When she delivers these tunes, she opens herself up to new fans through stories that stem from different memories from her childhood.
“They just bring back a time when I was growing up and really just about like my parents’ divorce when my dad wasn’t there,” she began. “It not only gives a space for people to relate to, it tells a lot about me that I don’t really know how to explain to people. But in a song, it just comes out so natural and yeah, they’re just really special songs and I can’t wait to release them.”
Before Idol, Danielle had only ever penned songs from the comfort of her room, but after the show, she has been introduced to a whole new world of co-writing. She began making the trip back and forth to Nashville to sit down with other songwriters, allowing her to gain more confidence in her own skills. She stringy believes that it was her frequent prayer that once again guided her to these opportunities.
“So before Idol, I was sitting right here, literally. I would write and I’d get so discouraged because I didn’t know how to write a song at the time, but after Idol, I’ve been in Nashville co-writing, learning so much, and I’m like, thank you, God ’cause I’ve literally prayed to be where I’m at today and I can’t thank him enough.”
The rising singer/songwriter is next slated to perform alongside fellow Idol contestant, Haven Madison at the upcoming Summer Bash in Tennessee. These female artists will take the stage of Liberty Hall in The Factory at Franklin on August 5.
Megan Danielle will then continue on the 20-date tour with Maddie Poppe, making stops in New Jersey, Massachusetts, Colorado and more before wrapping up in Tuscon AZ on August 26.
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