Megan Danielle’s ‘American Idol’ Fate Revealed
Megan Danielle promises to “keep sharing the light and love of Jesus” on ‘American Idol.’
Megan Danielle; Photo by ABC/Eric McCandless
Megan Danielle showcased her incredible vocal range with two performances on American Idol’s Disney Night on Sunday evening (May 15).
Prior to taking the stage, the Georgia native visited Disneyland in California with her mother, Monica.
They made a stop in Mickey’s Toontown where Danielle opened up about her having the opportunity to spend time with her mother.
Spent Quality Time With Her Mom
“Today, I’m here in Disneyland with my mama. This is my first time and it’s my mama’s first time and we’ve been having the time of our lifel,” she excitedly shared. “Spending time with my mom is a blessing because most of the time I don’t really get mom and I time. I love her so much and I’m excited that she could come to Disneyland to be a part of my journey with me.”
The former waitress then paid tribute to her mom in honor of Mother’s Day.
“I know it’s taken a lot for you to be out here for so long, but I just wanted to tell you that I love you and Happy Mother’s Day,” Megan told Monica. “You know I’m not good at talking so I wrote you a note.”
Wrote A Letter
The note read: “Hey mama, Happy Mother’s Day. Girl, I just wanted to let you know that after everything we’ve been through I love you so much. After yours & Dad’s divorce, you have done so much to carry this family & lead us into the right direction. You help us all feel so loved, even after that very hard part of our lives. There’s no one else I’d rather have helped me through this journey. You’re the reason I’m even here. You help me find the love of music and you’ve been there for every step of the way. I’m so thankful that God made you my mama and I love you.”
The moment left Monica feeling quite emotional.
“When their dad left, it hurt us all and we didn’t know what to do, but she has helped me in a lot of ways with my life,” Monica shared through tears. “If I get down too depressed she helps me. She gets me through it.”
Donning a floor-length black dress, Megan Danielle allowed her unique vocals to shine as she covered Bebe Rexha’s “You Can’t Stop The Girl,” a tune that appears in the Maleficent: Mistress of Evil soundtrack.
“I feel like my mom can relate to this song because there’s been so many things thrown at my mama and I just want to tell her you can keep going and everything’s going to be okay,” she added before taking to the Idol stage.
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Her performance earned praise from the entire judges’ panel.
“Do you have any idea how much you’ve grown? Do you have any idea?” Lionel Richie asked Danielle.
“I do now, yes sir,” she replied.
Richie went on to applaud her vocal range as he told her, “keep it going.”
“I mean, that was a stellar performance and what I think I love most of all is that you came out looking and that voice has gone to another level. That high note that you hit in the middle and at the end of that song was amazing,” Richie added.
Katy Perry also pointed out the high notes that Megan Danielle hit.
“I think this is the most you’ve ever stretched your vocals,” she said, adding, “Literally, Megan that was like you competing with all of the big ones this time. You weren’t just the country girl with the gritty alto voice. You were giving us vox. You were giving vocals and your confidence is on another level. It’s just so beautiful to watch.”
Luke Bryan called the moment “unbelievable.”
“Yeah, the whole time I just want to tell you you’re a vocalist. I mean, that’s what that term is designed for. A vocalist is someone that delivers vocals just like you just did and it’s bigger than the girl we met in auditions and it’s bigger than the girl we put through a sing off,” he explained. “I mean, you were in a sing off for your life at one point and here you are Top 5, Disney week.”
Megan Danielle then joined host Ryan Seacrest on stage and took a moment to reflect on her American Idol journey so far.
“Really just because of everything I’ve been through and not only me but my siblings and my mama over there. It’s just really a reminder that we can keep going and nothing can stop us,” she declared.
During Sunday night’s show, Danielle also performed “Carried Me With You” from Onward. She used this performance to showcase her country side.
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Ultimately, Megan Danielle’s performances earned her a spot in the Top 3 alongside Iam Tongi and Colin Stough.
Each of the final contestants will release their debut singles on Friday, May 19.
Finale To Air Next Sunday
They will face off for the title of American Idol 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.
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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