American Idol 2023 runner-up Megan Danielle sings “Dream Girl” on Live with Kelly and Mark
American Idol 2023 runner-up Megan Danielle dropped by Live with Kelly and Mark to perform her original winners single “Dream Girl.”
Megan performed the song live for the first time on Sunday’s American Idol 2023 finale, where she came in second place to winner Iam Tongi (Check out his Live performance HERE).
American Idol season 17 contestant Laci Kaye Booth co-wrote the song with Logan Wall. Chris DeStefano produced the track.
This time, she performed an acoustic version of the song which allowed her big raspy voice to shine through. While the recorded version of the song was underwhelming, this stripped back version resonates with emotion.
After the performance, hosts Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos joined her on stage. Megan explained that before she competed on American Idol, she was waitressing at a small restaurant in (Douglasville) Georgia. What always goes unsaid, however, is that she made it to the semi-finals on the Covid-19 plagued 18th season of The Voice in 2020. She competed on Team Kelly Clarkson.
Megan noted that she’s a Worship leader currently. “I’m just taking this path as long as God will let me,” she said.
Megan was “honored” to be by Iam Tongi’s side as he won the show
And as far as Iam taking the crown, she’s not mad at all. “Iam is super-gifted and he’s became one of my best friends. I’m super happy no matter what.” She continued, “Just because all of us contestants have worked so hard for every part of this–I was just honored to be right beside him and let him take the win. It was awesome.”
Megan’s favorite moment of the competition was signing with Lauren Daigle on the finale. Lauren has admired the Christian artist for a long time. While it was exciting when the former American Idol contestant surprised her at her audition as she sang Lauren’s “You Say,” Megan loved duetting with the singer on her latest single “Thank God I Do.”
The best advice she received from the judges was for her to find herself as an artist and gain more confidence. “I think I’ve done that,” Megan said. “Just to be on Idol and learn from these judges is absolutely insane. I’m just so thankful.”
“I wanted to send a positive message out to the world”
“With this song, I wanted to send a positive message out to the world and to let people know that no matter what you go through you can still chase your dreams and to keep going,” Megan shared about the song’s message. “Hope you guys love it as much as I do! Also, I want to give a special thank you to everyone involved for making this happen, it has truly been an amazing opportunity and experience, and thank y’all for all the love and support!”
After receiving three yeses from the judges–LIonel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan–at her American Idol audition, Megan went on to impress the judges and viewers alike with songs that traversed pop, country, Christian and Americana genres.
She performed Lady Gaga’s “Always Remember Us This Way,” for her Showstopper performance. At the Top 25 she sang Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain.” Next, she sang the Christian song “Holy Water” by We the Kingdom. She performed another Lauren Daigle song, ‘Thank God I Do,” “Angel from Montgomery” by John Prine, Vince Gill’s “Go Rest High on that Mountain,” Alanis Morissette’s “You Learn,” and Faithfully by Journey among other songs.
