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Angie Miller (American singer)

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Angie Miller
Miller in 2016
Miller in 2016
Background information
Birth nameAngela Kristine Miller
Also known asZealyn
Born (1994-02-17) February 17, 1994 (age 30)
Beverly, Massachusetts, US
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • piano
Years active2013–present
Labels
Websitezealyn.co

Angela Kristine Miller (born February 17, 1994), also known by her stage name Zealyn, is an American singer-songwriter. She came in third place on the twelfth season of American Idol in 2013. Her debut EP, Weathered, was released independently on November 12, 2014. Miller rebranded in 2016, opting for the stage name Zealyn. Since then, she has released a second, Limbic System, and third EP, A Weekend in Maine.

Early life

Angela Kristine Miller was born on February 17, 1994, in Beverly, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston. Her father, Guy, and mother, Tana, graduated from Valley Forge Christian College in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. The couple relocated to Massachusetts after Guy attended Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton to prepare for ordination as a Christian minister. The Millers served at churches in Lynnfield and on Cape Cod, where they resided for eight years, before becoming co-pastors at Remix Church, a member of the Assemblies of God protestant denomination, in Salem.[1][2] Miller also has a brother, Jonathan. He is two years older than she. He is an integrant of hardcore band, Exiting the Fall.[1]

At an early age, doctors diagnosed that the singer experienced 40-percent hearing loss in her left ear and 20-percent in her right, after discovering that the protective envelope of her eardrums had vanished.[1][3] Consequently, she had ear tubes placed and, a month prior to her American Idol audition, fits for silicon spray ear plugs. Miller's condition has affected her singing, obstructing her hearing of her surroundings, rather than herself. She claimed that she learned to manage it a couple of years prior to her American Idol audition.[1] In January 2013, her mother revealed to The Salem News that a third surgery to skin graft her eardrum was impending once Miller completed her stint on the series.[1]

As a child, she was introduced to worship music at church[1] and various other styles at home.[2] The Millers are a musical family: Guy plays the keyboard, Tana plays the guitar, and Jonathan plays multiple instruments. Through watching them perform, Miller developed an interest for singing and songwriting at an early age, penning her first effort "Little Sparkle Dress" at age six.[2][3] Her engagement in children's theatre further nourished her desire to perform.[2] At the age of nine, Miller became an avid fan of the singing competition television series American Idol after seeing the second season finale, which made her long to someday enter the competition herself.[4] She initially began playing guitar, but switched over to piano after receiving lessons from an instructor in Cape Cod.[2] Though never receiving formal vocal training, she refined her singing with critiques from her mother and brother.[2][5] Miller attended Beverly High School from 2008 to 2012, involving herself in the school's choir, honors vocal ensemble, and theatre program.[1] She appeared in installments of The Will Rogers Follies, My Fair Lady, and Thoroughly Modern Millie.[6][7] She was an active participant at her father's church as well, leading music during services.[6] During high school, she also held a job at a fast-food restaurant at Northshore Mall in Peabody,[1] and ran a popular YouTube account where she posted videos of herself covering modern hits.[6] In 2011, Miller placed seventh out of over 1,000 contenders[2] in the female solo category at the Assemblies of God National Fine Arts Festival in Phoenix, Arizona. She received scholarship offers from three Christian universities, including her top choice, Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie, Texas. Miller did not accept any of the colleges' offers, and instead decided to audition for American Idol upon completing her high school studies.[6]

Music career

2012–13: American Idol

See also: American Idol (season 12)
Miller performing at a local event in Salem, Massachusetts

Miller auditioned for the twelfth season of American Idol in September 2012 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, where she received a golden ticket and advanced to the next stage in Hollywood.[1] During the season's final Hollywood rounds, Miller opted to perform the self-penned tune "You Set Me Free" on the piano, and was praised from the judges.[3] At first introduced as Angela, she later adopted the moniker, "Angie", with which judge Keith Urban referred to her.[8] Miller proceeded to perform without her piano, albeit of the judges' suggestions;[9] she permanently retreated to the piano during the Top 7 episode.[10] During the course of the series, Miller tackled songs by Jessie J, Beyoncé, Colton Dixon and others,[9] dominated social media relative to her peers,[11] and was called out for her resemblance to singer Miley Cyrus.[12]

Miller was considered a fan favorite, often placing in the voting's top ranks and becoming the season's sole contestant to not land in the bottom 2 or 3 until her elimination in the Top 3.[13] The elimination was described by journalists as "shocking" and "surprising,"[14] to which they attributed competitor Kree Harrison's victory to support from Vote for the Worst,[15] voting from Middle America,[16] and pity votes prompted by her homecoming video.[9] Conversely, Kevin Rutherford of Billboard said the singer's elimination was caused by her inability match the accolades of her "You Set Me Free" performance.[17] Others ascribed her choice to perform Elton John's "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" without playing the song on the piano.[9] For her final performance, Miller reprised her version Dixon's "Never Gone" in tears, at times unable to sing, and later approached by her family onstage.[14][17] Following the elimination, she expressed shock at the results, but claimed both finalists deserved the position in the finale.[9]

Performances and results

American Idol season 12 performances and results
Episode Theme Song Original artist Order Result
Audition Auditioner's Choice "Mamma Knows Best" Jessie J N/A Advanced
Hollywood Round, Part 1 A Capella "Who You Are" Jessie J N/A
Hollywood Round, Part 2 Group Performance "Be My Baby"
with Janelle Arthur, Kez Ban and Breanna Steer 		The Ronettes N/A
Hollywood Round, Part 3 Solo "You Set Me Free" Angie Miller N/A
Las Vegas Round Personal Choice "Nobody's Perfect" Jessie J 8
Top 20 (10 Women) Personal Choice "Never Gone" Colton Dixon 6
Top 10 Reveal Victory Song "I Was Here" Beyoncé Knowles 8
Top 10 Music of the American Idols "I Surrender" Celine Dion 4 Top 3
Top 9 The Beatles "Yesterday" The Beatles 7 Safe
Top 8 Music of Motor City "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me"
with Candice Glover and Amber Holcomb 		Dee Dee Warwick 6
"Shop Around" The Miracles 8
Top 7 Rock "Crazy Little Thing Called Love"
with Lazaro Arbos 		Queen 2 Top 3
"Bring Me to Life" Evanescence 10
Top 6 Burt Bacharach and Hal David "Anyone Who Had a Heart" Dionne Warwick 1 Safe
Songs They Wish They'd Written "Love Came Down" Brian Johnson 7
Top 5 Year They Were Born "I'll Stand by You" The Pretenders 4
Divas "Halo" Beyoncé Knowles 9
Top 4 Contestant's Choice "Who You Are" Jessie J 4
"Stay"
with Candice Glover 		Rihanna featuring Mikky Ekko 6
One-Hit Wonders "Cry Me a River" Julie London 10
Top 41 Songs from Now and Then "Diamonds" Rihanna 1
"Someone to Watch Over Me" Gertrude Lawrence 5
"Wings"
with Candice Glover, Kree Harrison, and Amber Holcomb 		Little Mix 9
Top 3 Jimmy Iovine's Choice "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" Elton John 3 Eliminated
Judges' Choice "Try" Pink 5
Producers' Choice "Maybe" Emeli Sandé 7
  • ^Note 1 Due to the surprise non-elimination, the Top 4 remained intact for another week.

2013–2015: Weathered

Miller performing at the piano in 2015

After her elimination from American Idol, Miller announced plans to launch a music career as soon as possible,[18] as well as an eventual acting career.[19] Of her intents for her debut studio album, Miller revealed that she wanted to write or co-write all material. She also intended to show all sides to her personality in an intricate and artistic manner which she feels current mainstream music largely lacks.[20] She further explained,[21]

I want to have music that has meaning and is real. I don't want to have dance-party music, but at the same time, I don't want to put people to sleep. I want to incorporate the soulful piano sound with a lot of edge. I know the message that I want to send out, and I know the music I want to do. I can't wait to show it to people.

The top three finalists – Miller, Candice Glover and Harrison – recorded background vocals on a song for judge Mariah Carey's fourteenth studio album, though it is yet to be confirmed whether it will be on the final track listing.[22] On May 17, 2013, subsequent to the series' finale, Miller released her debut single "You Set Me Free" to digital retailers via her American Idol contract with 19 Recordings.[23][24] On May 22, 2013, reports surfaced that Miller had signed a publishing contract with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), and is in midst of searching for a record deal.[24] In June 2013, Miller confirmed she was co-writing with Toby Gad, Autumn Rowe, David Hodges, Adam Watts and his Red Decibel team and recording demos in Los Angeles, California, through social media.[citation needed] Along with the remainder of the Top 11 from season twelve, Miller embarked on the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2013, where she showcased original music, from July to August 2013.[19] Later that year she also joined Jessie J at a concert of her Nice to Meet You Tour in the United Kingdom.[25]

On December 3, 2013, Miller released a Christmas single, called "This Christmas Song" and a cover of "O Holy Night."[26] In April 2014, Miller embarked on the "Angie in Asia" tour in Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia.[27]

A PledgeMusic campaign for her debut EP, Weathered, was launched on August 28, 2014[28] and was released on November 12, 2014. On October 13, 2014, Miller premiered a song from the EP, "Lost in the Sound,"[29] and a second song, "Miles" was premiered by Billboard on October 29, 2014.[30] On November 20, 2014, Weathered debuted at number one on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart[31] and at number 131 on the Billboard 200 chart. In 2015, she released her first music video, for the song "Simple", the only single from the EP. In September 2015, she traveled to Kolkata, India to perform several small concerts around the city.[32]

2016–present: Limbic System and A Weekend in Maine

Miller performing as Zealyn in 2016

In February 2016, Miller announced that her new music, which she had begun writing in early 2015,[33] would be released under the pseudonym Zealyn.[34] According to Miller, the name Zealyn originated from the country New Zealand, with a friend recommending her to make it into a girl's name.[35] On February 20, 2016, her song "Tides To The Moon" was featured in a trailer for "Little Mermaid."[36]

She debuted her first single, "Talk:Listen" for streaming on February 26, 2016; it was released on March 4, 2016, for digital download.[37] A second song, "Sleep On It", premiered via Nylon magazine's official website. The song was available for digital download on April 1, 2016.[38] Her alternative rock and electropop EP, Limbic System, was released on June 24, 2016, containing seven songs.[39] "Limbic System" was recorded in two months during July and August 2015 at singer Aaron Marsh's studio in Lakeland, Florida.[40] She co-wrote the songs for the album.[41] The album's title song, "Limbic System" featuring JMR, was released for streaming on April 29, 2016.[42] "Overwhelmed" featuring Aaron Marsh was released for streaming on May 25, 2016.[39] The remix EP, Limbic System: Reimagined, was released on June 9, 2017,[43] and features music remixed by Jon Santana, Sleeping Lion, The Lulls in Traffic, Stephen Laurenson, and Austin Cannon.[citation needed]

On May 17, 2019, her third EP, A Weekend in Maine, was released.[44]

Personal life

Miller moved to Los Angeles, California, in early 2014 to continue pursuing a professional music career.[45] She and her longtime boyfriend, David James Williams, became engaged in late November 2015.[46] They married in a small ceremony in Massachusetts on July 7, 2016.[47]

Discography

As Angie Miller

Extended plays

List of albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Details Peak
chart
positions
US US
Heat 		US
Indie
Weathered
  • Released: November 12, 2014
  • Label: Independent
  • Format: CD, Digital download
 131 1 13

Singles

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
"You Set Me Free" 2013 — Non-album singles
"This Christmas Song" —
"O Holy Night" —

Music videos

Year Title Artist
2015 "Simple" Angie Miller

Releases from American Idol

As Zealyn

Extended plays

List of extended plays
Title Details
Limbic System
  • Released: June 24, 2016
  • Label: Independent
  • Formats: CD, digital download
A Weekend in Maine
  • Released: May 17, 2019
  • Label: Independent
  • Format: Digital download
I Think I'm Struggling With Getting Older[citation needed]
  • Released: September 9, 2022
  • Label: Independent
  • Format: Digital download

Remix albums

List of remix albums
Title Details
Limbic System: Reimagined
  • Released: June 17, 2017
  • Label: Independent
  • Format: Digital download

Singles

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
"Talk:Listen" 2016 — Limbic System
"Sleep On It" —
"Limbic System
(featuring JMR) 		—
"Overwhelmed
(featuring Aaron Marsh) 		—
"Enjoy Your Holiday" 2018 — A Weekend in Maine
"Airline Wine" —
"Faster Now" 2019 —
"So Damn Charming" — TBA

Music videos

Year Title Artist
2016 "Talk:Listen" Zealyn
"Sleep On It"
"Overwhelmed"
(featuring Aaron Marsh)

Tours

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Leighton, Paul (January 19, 2013). "'Idol' dream comes true for Beverly resident". The Salem News. Community Newspaper Holdings. Retrieved March 16, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Malfitano, Nick (April 25, 2013). "Angie Miller's parents, of Beverly, speak of the rising star before 'Idol' and now". Salem Gazette. GateHouse Media. Retrieved May 26, 2013.
  3. ^ a b c "Meet The Last Women Standing On 'American Idol'" (Press release). Yahoo!. Associated Press. May 7, 2013. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
  4. ^ Simon Fuller, Nigel Lythgoe, Ryan Seacrest, Randy Jackson, Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj, Keith Urban (February 20, 2013). "Las Vegas, Girls Perform". American Idol. Season 12. Episode 11. Fox.
  5. ^ "Angie Miller". American Idol. Archived from the original on April 24, 2013. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
  6. ^ a b c d Leighton, Paul (January 16, 2013). "From Beverly to 'American Idol'". The Salem News. Community Newspaper Holdings. Retrieved March 16, 2013.
  7. ^ Bradbury, Jodi (May 10, 2013). "American Idol: Is Angie Miller in trouble? (+video)". The Christian Science Monitor. Christian Science Publishing Society.
  8. ^ King, Bill (April 17, 2013). "'American Idol' Recap: A Top 5 Waste of Time?". BuddyTV. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  9. ^ a b c d e Kroll, Katy (May 11, 2013). "Q&A: Angie Miller on Falling Short of the 'American Idol' Finals". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Archived from the original on June 7, 2013. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  10. ^ Mansfield, Brian (April 3, 2013). "The 'American Idol' Top 7 rock 'n' roll: The live blog". USA Today. Gannett Company. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  11. ^ Olivier, Bobby (March 12, 2013). "Angie Miller will win 'American Idol' this season: here's why". The Star-Ledger. Advance Publications. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  12. ^ Mansfield, Brian (May 8, 2013). "'American Idol' Top Three: The live blog". USA Today. Gannett Company. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  13. ^ Moynihan, Rob (May 9, 2013). "American Idol Finalists Talk Thursday's Shocking Results, Randy Jackson's Departure". Yahoo!. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  14. ^ a b Mousavinezhad, Jamshid (May 9, 2013). "Angie Miller cut in shocker as Kree Harrison, Candice Glover make 'American Idol' finale". Newsday. Cablevision. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  15. ^ "'American Idol' Recap: The Top 3 Sing 3". BuddyTV. May 8, 2013. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  16. ^ Olivier, Bobby (May 9, 2013). "'American Idol' 2013 elimination shocker: Frontrunner goes home, judges stunned". The Star-Ledger. Advance Publications. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  17. ^ a b May 9, 2013, Kevin. "Angie Miller Eliminated on 'American Idol' While Candice, Kree Press On to Finale". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 11, 2013.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  18. ^ Mansfield, Brian (May 10, 2013). "What's next for Idol's Angie Miller?". USA Today. Gannett Company. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  19. ^ a b Pajer, Nicole (May 10, 2013). "Angie Miller Q&A: On Her 'Shocking' Elimination, Randy's Exit and Her Post-'American Idol' Plans". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  20. ^ Montgomery, James (May 22, 2013). "'American Idol's' Angie Miller Says She'll 'Fight' To Make An Album Her Way". MTV News. Viacom. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
  21. ^ Mansfield, Brian (May 10, 2013). "'Idol' Angie Miller 'definitely shocked' by elimination". USA Today. Gannett Company. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  22. ^ Halperin, Shirley (May 9, 2013). "Mariah Carey No Longer Managed by Randy Jackson". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
  23. ^ Lloyd, Matt (May 16, 2013). "Angie Miller's New Single "You Set Me Free" Debut's on iTunes Today (VIDEO)". The Christian Post. The Christian Post Company. Archived from the original on June 7, 2013. Retrieved May 16, 2013.
  24. ^ a b Halperin, Shirley (May 22, 2013). "'American Idol' Finalist Angie Miller Lands Publishing Deal". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
  25. ^ Wright, Emily (May 16, 2013). "Candice Glover wins 'American Idol', Kree Harrison named runner-up". The Boston Globe. The New York Times Company. Retrieved May 16, 2013.
  26. ^ "Angie Miller Celebrates 'This Christmas Time' With New Release (Audio)". The Hollywood Reporter. November 26, 2013. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
  27. ^ a b "About Angie – Angie Miller". Archived from the original on September 16, 2014. Retrieved October 16, 2014.
  28. ^ "Angie Miller". PledgeMusic. Archived from the original on October 13, 2014. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
  29. ^ Michele Amabile Angermiller (October 13, 2014). "Listen to 'American Idol' Alum Angie Miller Get". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  30. ^ "Angie Miller Song Premiere: Listen/Stream 'Miles' from the 'American Idol' Finalist – Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  31. ^ "Heatseekers Albums: Up and Coming Musicians Chart – Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  32. ^ "Photos: American Singer Angie Miller Live in Kolkata". Rolling Stone India. September 18, 2015. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  33. ^ "Angie Miller (@angiemiller) | Twitter". twitter.com. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
  34. ^ "Angie Miller on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
  35. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Zealyn Talks Name Change, A Weekend in Maine EP, and More". August 22, 2019.
  36. ^ Little Mermaid (February 20, 2016), Little Mermaid Trailer – 2016, retrieved February 22, 2016
  37. ^ "LISTEN ZEALYN'S SULTRY VOICE WILL TAKE YOU OVER ON "TALK:LISTEN"". ixdaily. Retrieved March 2, 2016.[permanent dead link]
  38. ^ "Zealyn's New Track Is Made For Teasing"Sleep On It""". Nylon. March 22, 2016. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
  39. ^ a b "'Zealyn – "Overwhelmed" (feat. Aaron Marsh) (Song Premiere)". Chourus.fm. May 25, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  40. ^ "PMM CHATS2:Zealyn". Purple Melon Music. Archived from the original on July 1, 2016. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  41. ^ Hartley, Ethan (March 31, 2016). "Beverly native Angie Miller releases new music as Zealyn". Wicked Local:Beverly. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
  42. ^ Beltran, Kendra (April 27, 2016). "Zealyn Prepares for Summer Release". Coming Up Magazine. Archived from the original on May 30, 2016. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
  43. ^ "Zealyn Releases Limbic System: Reimagined". WithGuitars. June 9, 2017. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  44. ^ ZEALYN (May 16, 2019). "Hi, it's me. Just dropping in with a selfie to remind you my EP, A Weekend in Maine, releases midnight tonight pic.twitter.com/hMRAqGnMGV". @zealyn. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  45. ^ "Angie Miller is Shopping For a Record Deal, Moving to Los Angeles". MJSB Blog. September 24, 2013. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
  46. ^ "'American Idol' Alum Angie Miller Gets Engaged". Billboard. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
  47. ^ Writer, Paul Leighton Staff (March 28, 2019). "A homecoming for Angie: Former American Idol star to perform at The Cabot". Salem News. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  48. ^ "Michael W Smith Announces Christmas Tour". CCM Magazine. October 21, 2013. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
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