5 things to know as South MS native Daniel Stallworth looks to advance on ‘American Idol’
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Daniel Stallworth, Moss Point native, advanced through Idol auditions to Hollywood Week.
- Tonight’s episode cuts field to 30; successful singers head to Aulani, Hawai’i.
- American Idol winner receives $250,000 and a Hollywood Records/19 recordings deal.
Daniel Stallworth, the singer from Moss Point who has taken South Mississippi and the “American Idol” judges by storm, will appear on tonight’s (7 p.m.) episode of the ABC network’s reality singing competition. Here are five things to know about Stallworth, and the competition he is taking part in.
South Mississippi ties
Stallworth is a 2016 graduate of Moss Point High School. His passion for music grew early, first in the youth choir, then on the drums at The Greater Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Pascagoula.
“He’s an example of what we want all our kids to be,” said Moss Point Mayor Billy Knight.
Where he lives now
After graduating from Alcorn State University, Stallworth was a music teacher for four years in Port Gibson, a West Mississippi town on U.S. 61 about halfway between Natchez and Vicksburg. He moved to Houston a few months ago, where the 27-year-old teaches music at an elementary school.
His ‘Idol’ audition
Stallworth played the piano and sang “Don’t Stop Believin” by Journey at Belmont University in Nashville on the first day of competition in the new season. Judge Lionel Ritchie said “Your students are going to hail you as the greatest thing that has ever shown up in their lives.” Carrie Underwood, herself a former “Idol” winner said “My teeth hurt because I am smiling so much.” Country star Luke Bryan said he was “thinking about how lucky the kids are to have you.”
What’s next
Stallworth will sing for the judges tonight on an episode “Idol” is branding as “Hollywood Week in Music City – Part 2.” Only 30 singers will advance to the next round of the competition, and that includes the performers who appeared in the episode that aired last week. Should Stallworth be successful in this round, he would advance to the next round at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawai’i, where the competition will be culled from 30 singers to 20.
Spoiler warning?
If online chatter is to be believed, Stallworth will survive tonight’s cut and earn a spot among the final 20 singers. The winner of American Idol typically receives a $250,000 cash prize and a recording contract with Hollywood Records/19 Recordings. This prize, which serves as a taxable advance to be recouped from future earnings, is often paid in two installments: $125,000 upon signing and $125,000 upon album completion.