Darci Lynne is a multi-talented 13-year-old girl who won the hearts of America during her recent appearance (and win!) on America’s Got Talent. We recently had the chance to talk to her about her incredible talent, how she felt after her win, and even which of her characters is her favorite.
Q: Hi Darci. Thank you for taking a few minutes to chat with Macaroni Kid this morning. I imagine your schedule is crazy since you won America's Got Talent this past September! What was that moment like for you?
A: Winning America's Got Talent was SURREAL!!! I can't even remember what was going through my mind at the time. I was so shocked and happy at the same time it was like time was slowing down and I didn't know how to comprehend it all.
Q: Your performance was truly extraordinary -- I saw it during the finals but had to watch it again this morning on YouTube. How in the world did you learn to sing like you do? (or, was singing your first passion?)
A: Singing was my first passion actually. My mom taught me how to sing when I was only 6 years old. I sang in local pageants, at church, and at my school talent shows until I became a SINGING ventriloquist.
Q: Tell us a little bit about your puppet pals -- you work with three characters right?
A: I actually work with 4 characters right now. I have a cowgirl puppet who can be very sassy and spunky. Her name is Katie and she loves to yodel. Petunia is my golden buzzer buddy who started off very shy, but has become quite the diva! She loves to steal the show with her AMAZING singing. Next is Oscar, he is a little socially awkward and is scared to talk to girls. However, he wows them with his phenomenal MOTOWN singing. Last but certainly not least, is Edna Doorknocker. Edna is my cranky, sometimes naughty, neighbor who loves to flirt with men younger than her.
Q: Just between us, do you have a favorite?
A: Right now I would have to say that Oscar is my favorite...but don't tell Petunia!
Q: When did you start learning to become a ventriloquist?
A: I started teaching myself ventriloquism when I was 10 years old.
Q: Did you love it from the moment you started?
A: I was absolutely blown away with ventriloquism when I first started. I guess you could say I was definitely in love with it and I was fascinated that someone could talk with their mouth closed. I just had to learn to do it!!
Q: Are there any people who inspired you on this journey? Other performers, singers, puppeteers, ventriloquists?
A: There are definitely many performers who have inspired me along the way. I look up to the ventriloquists Jeff Dunham and Terry Fator and the Broadway stars Kristin Chenoweth and Kelli O'Hara.
Q: So what have you been doing since winning America's Got Talent, you have a tour coming up right?
A: I actually kicked my tour off in Atlanta, Georgia, a month ago. We have been to Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut and Medford, Massachusetts. It has been fun going to places that I haven’t been before. I can't wait to see more cities soon.
Q: How are you keeping up with school with so much travel?
A: I am keeping up with school pretty well I must say....I love school at Deer Creek and my teachers have been so good about sending my work with me whenever I go anywhere. They have helped make this so much easier and I am so thankful to them. School is very important to me!
Q: Finally, Darci, having reached such amazing heights of success at such a young age -- I'm sure everyone says that -- do you have some advice for Macaroni Kids about what how to pursue their passions?
A: My advice to the Macaroni Kids would be to just DREAM BIG!!! Don't be afraid of what other people might think. Just be yourself and shoot for the stars because you never know just what might happen.
You can catch Darci Lynne’s one of kind, family-friendly show during her 2018 tour. View the complete schedule at darcilynne.com.
