Christian Singer Megan Danielle Blossoms On ‘American Idol:’ Re-Live Her Inspiring Journey
Re-live Megan Danielle’s inspiring ‘American Idol’ journey.
Megan Danielle; Photos by ABC/Eric McCandless
American Idol viewers have witnessed a true transformation as they watched Megan Danielle blossom from a shy waitress to a budding superstar throughout Season 21 of the singing competition show.
During her audition, Megan Danielle shared the inspiring story of how her late grandfather impacted her music career.
“My childhood, I would always spend most of my time at the shop with my Grandpa. He was definitely one of my biggest fans. It’s just weird without papa, but very sad cause everything reminds me of daddy. My Grandpa passed about a year ago and he was the most important person in my life,” she explained.
She recalled how he helped her navigate her budding career and ultimately helped her discover who she is as an artist.
“When I was 18, I had a band and we were singing at all different types of bars and venues. I didn’t like performing at bars because I felt like I had to act like someone I wasn’t just so the people would like what they were hearing,” she explained. “There was one show I had one night and my papa was there and he pulled me to the side and said ‘what are you doing baby? This isn’t what you’re supposed to be doing.’ He looked at me dead in the eye and said ‘how can you sing for God and sing for this?’ and then I finally decided to totally switch to Christian music.”
Although her grandfather is no longer here, Megan uses her music to help his legacy live on.
“It’s okay, he’s still supporting me up there,” she acknowledged.
When appearing in front of the judges for her audition, Danielle received the surprise of a lifetime when two-time GRAMMY winner Lauren Daigle entered the audition room and began to sing with her.
Danielle, who was visibly shocked, joined Daigle in perfect harmony.
Following the jaw-dropping moment, Lauren Daigle and Megan Danielle bonded instantly.
“Your story reminds me of my own so much, with your Grandfather,” Daigle told the contestant. “I want to hear what [the Idol judges] have to say.”
“Thank you, I love you. I feel like this is not even happening, I’m like thank you, God,” Megan Danielle added.
The judges were blown away.
“Well, Megan, you know what you have is a real honest rawness. It’s like unpolished diamond stuff going on and I think when you start learning and we start giving you confidence and you start realizing you might can really, really do this. It’s going to be fun to watch you grow,” Luke Bryan said.
“What you have is this thing in your voice that I am in love with and if I can get you out of your shyness and have it come through your vocal cords okay? And all we’re going to do at this point is push, push, push.” Lionel Richie added.
Throughout the season, Megan Danielle went on to sing songs such as “Up to the Mountain (MLK Song)” by Patty Griffin, “Always Remember Us This Way” by Lady Gaga, “Easy On Me” by Adele, “The Chain” by Fleetwood Mac, “Holy Water” by We The Kingdom, “Thank God I Do” by Lauren Daigle, “Angel from Montgomery” by Bonnie Raitt, “Go Rest High on That Mountain” by Vince Gill, “Head Over Feet” by Alanis Morissette, and more.
Most recently, Megan Danielle took to the American Idol stage during Disney night to cover Bebe Rexha’s “You Can’t Stop The Girl,” a tune that appears in the Maleficent: Mistress of Evil soundtrack.
Ahead of the Idol finale, Megan Danielle released her debut single, “Dream Girl,” a tune that reminds fans to never give up on their dreams.
Penned by Season 17 Idol alum Laci Kaye Booth and Logan Wall, “Dream Girl” finds Megan Danielle sharing a positive message to always keep going no matter what road blocks you may face along the way.
“Dream baby / Close your eyes and let your mind take you somewhere higher / Dream, baby / Paint your sky ’cause it ain’t like someone could paint it brighter / Don’t let nothin’ wake you up at night / ‘Cause it’s a mean world so go ahead and / Dream girl / Dream girl,” Danielle sings on the song’s chorus.
Megan Danielle will face off against Colin Stough and Iam Tongi for the title of American Idol champion during the three-hour season finale of American Idol on Sunday, May 21 at 8 pm ET.
Live from Hollywood, the finale will feature performances by the judges, Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie, as well as guest performers Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard, Ellie Goulding, James Blunt, Jazmine Sullivan, Jelly Roll, Keith Urban (who is also mentoring Top 3), Kevin Cronin from REO Speedwagon, Kylie Minogue, Lainey Wilson, Lauren Daigle, Pitbull, and TLC.
Re-live Megan Danielle‘s American Idol journey below.
Megan Danielle’s American Idol Audition
“You Say” by Lauren Daigle
Hollywood Round
“Up to the Mountain (MLK Song)” by Patty Griffin
Duets Round
Countrified rendition of Ed Sheeran’s “Dive” with Colin Stough
Solo Performance
“Always Remember Us This Way” by Lady Gaga
Sing Off
“Easy on Me” by Adele
Top 26 Hawaii Round
“The Chain” by Fleetwood Mac
Top 20
“Holy Water” by We The Kingdom
In Celebration
“Thank God I Do” by Lauren Daigle
Top 12
“Angel from Montgomery” by Bonnie Raitt
Top 10
“Go Rest High on That Mountain” by Vince Gill
Top 8
“Head Over Feet” by Alanis Morissette
Top 5 (Disney Week)
“You Can’t Stop the Girl” from Maleficent: Mistress of Evil
“Carried Me with You” from Disney’s Onward
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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