You may remember Darci Lynne from 2017, when, as a bright-eyed 12-year-old ventriloquist and singer, she won over millions of hearts on ‘America’s Got Talent’ (AGT). With her unforgettable performances, featuring lively puppet characters like the ‘Petunia: the witty bunny,’ and ‘Oscar: the shy mouse,’ showcased not only her comedic timing and ventriloquism skills but also a remarkably mature singing voice for someone so young. When she was crowned the winner of Season 12 and awarded the $1 million prize, it was clear that this Oklahoma City girl had a rare talent. But there’s more to her story than what we saw on stage.
Fast forward to now, and Darci Lynne is no longer just the child star who took the stage with puppets. At 19, she’s evolving into a serious musical artist in her own right. Her latest track, “Takes a Melody,” captures this change perfectly. The new song highlights Darci’s voice in a way that was never heard before, revealing a country-tinged style and a more thoughtful lyrical approach. But what makes this song truly unforgettable? beyond Darci’s growing artistry, something else about “Takes a Melody” makes it unique: she performs it as a duet with her mother, Misty. This mother-daughter collaboration is not a sudden, one-time event, but rather the continuation of a long-running musical partnership that began well before Darci stepped onto a national television stage.
Mama Misty Slayed 🥹 | Darci Lynne
For many years, Darci sang alongside her mother in their church choir in Oklahoma City. This early exposure to live singing, guided by Misty’s loving presence, nurtured Darci’s love for music long before she discovered ventriloqiusm. The family’s faith and involvment with the church, helped shape Darci’s purpose which is to use her talents for something greater than herself. Music at home and in church laid the foundation for Darci’s future success on AGT and for her subsequent performances around the country. But one special performance would highlight their bond like never before.
The powerful bond between Darci and Misty became even clearer later that same year during Darci’s Homecoming Weekend in Oklahoma City; as part of the celebration, mother and daughter performed “Silent Night” together onstage, a moment that has since become legendary among her fans. While Darci’s angelic voice set the scene, Misty’s warm, rich singing took the audience by surprise. Half way through the performance, the crowd erupted into cheers, causing Misty to pause. By the time the two finished singing and stood up to hug one another, the reaction from the audience was deafeinig. Some described that mother-daughter duet as “sacred listening,” a phrase that rings true given the timelessness of the melody and the spiritual warmth of their voices. It was a moment no one would forget—but for Darci, it was only the first glimpse of what she was capable of.
Silent Night – [Darci Lynne & Misty]
Beyond these intimate performances, Darci’s growth since AGT has been remarkable. She no longer relies on her puppets to carry her act. Although her ventriloqism skills remain a defining part of her persona, Darci has branched out. She’s performed on grand stages like Madison Square Garden and the Grand Ole Opry. She’s appeared in a holiday special, ‘Darci Lynne: My Hometown Christmas,’ where she covered classics such as “Santa Baby” and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” She impressed fans by giving new life to timeless tunes, as well as tackling modern hits such as ‘Vampire’ (by Olivia Rodrigo’s) showing the world her versatility, and evolving taste. So, what’s next for this multi-talented star?
Attempting Vampire – Darci Lynne
As Darci writes original songs and finds her sound, it’s evident that her mother’s influence is deeply woven into the essence of her music. Now that “Takes a Melody” is out, audiences see a portrait of a young, emerging country music star who is not just talented, but also firmly rooted in a loving and supportive family circle. And this is only the start of something truly special.