Madeline Mae "Maddie" Poppe (born December 5, 1997) is a singer from Clarksville, Iowa who won Season 16 of American Idol.
Background[]
Born and raised in Clarksville, Iowa, Maddie has been singing since childhood when she performed at the Butler County Fairgrounds in Allison, Iowa. She performed with her father Trent and his band at Pioneer Days events and also at local talent shows with her sister. She released an EP, Songs from The Basement, in 2016.
The Voice[]
In 2015, Maddie tried out for the 10th season of the NBC show The Voice. However, her rendition of Florence + The Machine's "Dog Days are Over" didn't wow the coaches, none of whom turned around for her. Despite the setback, the city of Clarksville honored her with an event at the Clarksville Library.
American Idol[]
Maddie decided to give TV singing competition shows another try when she auditioned for Idol in New York. Her take on the Muppets' "Rainbow Connection" impressed judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie and she got a Golden Ticket to Hollywood where she made another impression on the judges with an original called "Don't Let Your Children Grow Up."
Despite being criticized by some for coming across as "lifeless" and "boring," Maddie's humbleness and sweet vocals impressed the public. Her take on songs such as "Nothing Compare 2 U" by Sinead O'Conner and "God Only Knows" by the Beach Boys impressed the public, who voted her through week after week.
Maddie won season 16 on May 21, 2018, beating out country singers Caleb Lee Hutchinson and Gabby Barrett. Her first single was called "Going Going Gone."
Performances[]
- "Rainbow Connection"
- "Dreams"
- "Mama's Broken Heart"- duet with Caleb Lee Hutchinson
- "Don't Let Your Children Grow Up"
- "Me and Bobby McGee"
- "Brand New Key"
- "Bubbly" - duet with Colbie Caillat
- "Homeward Bound"
- "Walk Like an Egyptian"
- "The Bare Necessities"
- "Nothing Compares 2 U"
- "If It Makes You Happy"
- "I Told You So"
- "God Only Knows"
- "Going Going Gone"
- "Landslide"
Personal Life[]
It was revealed during the finale that Maddie was dating season 16 runner-up Caleb Lee Huchinson.
Post Idol[]
After the show, Maddie appeared on shows such as Jimmy Kimmel Live and Live with Kelly and Ryan. She performed her single "Going Going Gone" at the 2018 Radio Disney Music Awards on June 22, 2018. She also debuted a YouTube series, An American Idol Story: Maddie Poppe. The first episode was posted on her YouTube channel on June 15, 2018. She was one of eight performers starring in American Idols Live, a 47-city tour that ran from July 11 through September 16, 2018. She won a 2018 People's Choice Award for Best Competition Contestant and performed at the Hotel Café in Los Angeles on November 13, 2018. In Season 17 of American Idol, she pulled a prank by auditioning in disguise as Lady Mapo. Her debut album, Whirlwind, was released on May 17, 2019.
Trivia[]
- Maddie is the first contestant from the state of Iowa to win the show.
Discography[]
Albums:
- Whirlwind (2019)
Singles:
- "Going Going Gone" (2018)
- "Keep On Movin' On" (2018)
- "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" (2018)
- "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" (2018)
- "First Aid Kit" (2019)
- "Little Things" (2019)
- "Made You Miss" (2019)
EPs:
- Songs from The Basement (2016)