Christian Singer Megan Danielle Blossoms On ‘American Idol:’ Re-Live Her Inspiring Journey

Re-live Megan Danielle’s inspiring ‘American Idol’ journey.

By

Lauren Jo Black

| Posted on

May 21, 2023

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3:12 pm

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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. 

Megan Danielle, Lauren Daigle; ABC/Eric McCandless
Megan Danielle, Lauren Daigle; ABC/Eric McCandless

“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.”

Megan Danielle, Lauren Daigle; Photo Courtesy American Idol
Megan Danielle, Lauren Daigle; Photo Courtesy American Idol

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. 

Megan Danielle; Photo by ABC/Eric McCandless
Megan Danielle; Photo by ABC/Eric McCandless

“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. 

Megan Danielle; Photo by ABC/Eric McCandless
Megan Danielle; Photo by ABC/Eric McCandless

“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.  

Megan Danielle; Photo by ABC/Eric McCandless
Megan Danielle; Photo by ABC/Eric McCandless

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.

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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

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Hollywood Round

“Up to the Mountain (MLK Song)” by Patty Griffin

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Duets Round

Countrified rendition of Ed Sheeran’s “Dive” with Colin Stough

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Solo Performance

“Always Remember Us This Way” by Lady Gaga

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Sing Off

“Easy on Me” by Adele

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Top 26 Hawaii Round

“The Chain” by Fleetwood Mac

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Top 20

“Holy Water” by We The Kingdom

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In Celebration

“Thank God I Do” by Lauren Daigle

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Top 12

“Angel from Montgomery” by Bonnie Raitt

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Top 10

“Go Rest High on That Mountain” by Vince Gill

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Top 8

“Head Over Feet” by Alanis Morissette

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Top 5 (Disney Week)

“You Can’t Stop the Girl” from Maleficent: Mistress of Evil

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“Carried Me with You” from Disney’s Onward

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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.