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Moss Point’s Daniel Stallworth chasing dreams in American Idol competition

Moss Point’s Daniel Stallworth chasing dreams in American Idol competition Daniel Stallworth is chasing his dream under the bright lights of American Idol. (wlox)
By Cody Heaster

MOSS POINT, Miss. (WLOX) — Daniel Stallworth is chasing his dream under the bright lights of American Idol.

The Top 20 contestant performed “All Night Long,” a tribute to judge Lionel Richie, earning high praise from the judges.

Moss Point native Daniel Stallworth performed in the Top 20 round of American Idol, performing the classic hit “All Night Long" by Lionel Richie. (Disney/Eric McCandless)

Judge Lionel Richie said, “You took that song and made it yours.”

Country star and judge Luke Bryan said Stallworth “might be the best singer in the competition.”

Back home, his family turned it into a celebration, cheering him on the whole performance.

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“We just want to do it together. We want to share together. Nobody wants to watch at home by themselves. Everybody wants to be together, and we just want to enjoy, and we just wanna say, ‘Go, Daniel!’” Daniel’s mother, Deborah Stallworth, said.

Family reflects on musical journey

For his parents, the moment was bigger than the competition.

“What inspires me is that he’s taking everything to another level. Everything to another level. Like I said, he’s a drummer, percussionist, and then also, he taught himself how to play keyboard and carried it to a different level,” Dan Stallworth Jr., Daniel’s father, said.

Stallworth's musical journey started at a young age. (Deborah Stallworth)

“Music is a part of our family, and so Daniel just, I mean, he got into it at a very young age, and he loves it. I mean, it’s a constant,” Deborah said.

For his older sister Pamela Singleton, seeing him on that stage is still surreal.

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“To see him on stage, on TV, every Monday being a contestant on American Idol, I’m just so overwhelmed with joy,” Singleton said.

For his older sister Pamela Singleton, seeing him on that stage is still surreal. (WLOX)

As they wait to see what happens next, his family says Daniel is already a winner.

“My prayer is that he goes to the finale and becomes our next American Idol,” Singleton said.

Stallworth's family cheered him on during his performance on American Idol on Monday, March 16. (WLOX)

“He is already our idol. Whatever happens, it’s in God’s hands, but for this family, Daniel is already the winner,” Deborah said.

How you can vote

The second window of voting for the Top 10 opens on Monday, March 23 and closes on Tuesday, March 24, at 5 a.m.

  • Online: Head to americanidol.com/vote.
  • Text message: Text 4 to 21523.
  • Social media: Head to the official voting post on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

Viewers can tune in to American Idol on Monday nights on WLOX ABC at 7 p.m.

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