Angie Miller (American singer)

Angela Kristine "Angie" Miller (born February 17, 1994) is an American singer-songwriter. She came in third place on the twelfth season of American Idol in 2012. Her debut EP, Weathered, was released independently on November 12, 2014 and debuted at number one on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart.

Life and career

1994–2011: 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 chapter of the Assemblies of God Protestant group, 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 suffered from 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 exposed 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.^[5] She would often receive input from her brother as well.^[2] 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] 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, prompting three Christian universities, including her top choice Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie, Texas, to offer her scholarships. Nonetheless, after careful deliberation, she declined in order to audition for American Idol once she finished her high school studies.^[6] 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]

2012–13: American Idol

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.^[1] During the season's final Hollywood rounds, Miller opted to perform the self-penned tune "You Set Me Free" on the piano, to praise 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 Knowles, 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" abstain from a 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

• ^Note 1 Due to the surprise non-elimination, the Top 4 remained intact for another week.

2013: Post-American Idol, Asia tour

After her unexpected 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 has revealed that she would like to write or co-write all material and intends 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, "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."^[21] 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 to 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. 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] Angie went on a tour through Fox International, and it was called "Angie in Asia." From April 9–12, 2014 she was in Thailand, April 13–16, 2014 she was in Vietnam, and from April 17–25 she was in Indonesia. She had many interviews, and had a few shows for her fans.^[27]

2014 to present: Weathered EP

In August 2014, she announced that her debut EP would be released in November.^[28] The PledgeMusic campaign for the EP was launched on August 28, 2014.^[29] On September 4, 2014, Miller announced that the EP would be called "Weathered" and would be released on November 12, 2014. She also revealed the EP's artwork.^[30] On October 13, 2014 Miller premiered a song from the EP, "Lost in the Sound,"^[31] and a second song, "Miles" was premiered by Billboard on October 29, 2014.^[32] On November 20, 2014, "Weathered" debuted at number one on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart^[33] and at number 131 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Personal life

Miller moved to Los Angeles, California in early 2014 to continue pursing a professional music career. She is a practicing Christian.^[34]

Discography

Extended plays

Promotional singles

Tours

• 2013: American Idols LIVE! Tour 2013
• 2013: Nice to Meet You Tour (Guest Star)
• 2013: Celebrate Christmas Tour^[35]
• 2014: Fox International: Angie In Asia ^[27]

References

External links

• Official website
• Angie Miller on American Idol
• Angie Miller at the Internet Movie Database