Meet contemporary Christian singer Lauren Daigle: the Louisiana native was rejected by American Idol but performed at this year's Super Bowl, and courted controversy for going on Ellen DeGeneres' show
Jon Batiste
Also taking the stage was Lauren Daigle. The 33-year-old contemporary Christian singer was joined by Trombone Shorty and two other instrumentalists for a Louisiana-inspired big band performance of 'America the Beautiful'.
Lauren Daigle performing at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in May 2022. Photo: AP Photo
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Daigle has been making waves in recent years for her Christian discography, which has now earned her two Grammys (from six nominations). In 2020, she performed at the College Football Playoff National Championship and earlier this year, sang on America's Got Talent. So, what else do we know about her?
She grew up surrounded by art
Lauren Daigle grew up surrounded by music. Photo: @lauren_daigle/Instagram
Raised in Lafayette, Louisiana, Lauren Daigle grew up surrounded by music. 'My mum called our house 'The Music Box,' because any time I was awake I would be singing,' she revealed in an interview with MTV. The cultural landscape of New Orleans, with its zydeco and Cajun music, also influenced her, as did the rock music her father listened to and the jazz and pop her mum loved, she shared in a piece she wrote for Guideposts.
She struggled with illness as a teenager
Lauren Daigle battled a serious illness in her teenage years. Photo: @lauren_daigle/Instagram
Daigle spent the last stretch of high school studying from home after she contracted cytomegalovirus at the age of 15, according to The Guardian. Homebound for around two years, she found respite in music after her mum signed her up for singing lessons. On an episode of Fox & Friends, she recalled having visions of 'stages' and 'people in the crowd' at the time, which, to her, signalled her future.
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