Angie Miller (American singer)

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Angie Miller
US
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • piano
Years active2013–present
Labels
Websitezealyn.co

Angela Kristine Miller (born February 17, 1994 in Beverly, MA), also known by her stage name Zealyn, is an American singer-songwriter and pianist. 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 2016, she has self-released four extended plays as an independent artist. In 2020, she founded the Los Angeles based nonprofit, Push-Up Bra LA, a music development organisation with an emphasis on supporting independent female musicians and songwriters in the recording industry. [1]

Early life

Angela Kristine Miller was born on February 17, 1994, in

protestant denomination, in Salem.[2][3] Miller has one brother named Jonathan. He is two years older than she. He was an integrant of hardcore band, Exiting the Fall from 2013 until 2015.[2]

At an early age, doctors diagnosed that the singer experienced 40-percent

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.[2] 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.[2]

As a child, she was introduced to

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.[3][4] Her engagement in children's theatre further nourished her desire to perform.[3] 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.[5] She initially began playing guitar, but switched over to piano after receiving lessons from an instructor in Cape Cod.[3] Though never receiving formal vocal training, she refined her singing with critiques from her mother and brother.[3][6]

Miller attended

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.[7]

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.[2] 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.[4] At first introduced as Angela, she later adopted the moniker, "Angie", with which judge Keith Urban referred to her.[9] Miller proceeded to perform without her piano, despite the judges' suggestions;[10] she permanently retreated to the piano during the Top 7 episode.[11] During the course of the series, Miller tackled songs by Jessie J, Beyoncé, Colton Dixon and others,[10] dominated social media relative to her peers,[12] and was called out for her resemblance to singer Miley Cyrus.[13]

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.

Billboard said the singer's elimination was caused by her inability match the accolades of her "You Set Me Free" performance.[18] Others ascribed her choice to perform Elton John's "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" without playing the song on the piano.[10] For her final performance, Miller reprised her version of Dixon's "Never Gone" in tears, at times unable to sing, and later approached by her family onstage.[15][18] Following the elimination, she expressed shock at the results, but claimed both finalists deserved the position in the finale.[10]

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

2013–2015: Weathered

Miller performing at the piano in 2015

After her elimination from

American Idols LIVE! Tour 2013, where she showcased original music, from July to August 2013.[20] Later that year she also joined Jessie J at a concert of her Nice to Meet You Tour in the United Kingdom.[26]

On December 3, 2013, Miller released a Christmas single, called "This Christmas Song" and a cover of "O Holy Night."[27] In April 2014, Miller embarked on the "Angie in Asia" tour in Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia.[28]

A

Top Heatseekers chart[32] 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.[33]

2016–2019: 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,[34] would be released under the pseudonym Zealyn.[35] 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.[36] Miller expressed a desire to change her stage name and the direction of forthcoming music releases in order to separate herself from the image she had created as a contestant on American Idol in her late teens. She did not believe that her previous music or image were marketable under her birth name due to its lack of appeal. [37] On February 20, 2016, her song "Tides To The Moon" was featured in a trailer for "Little Mermaid."[38]

She debuted her first single, "Talk:Listen" for streaming on February 26, 2016; it was released on March 4, 2016, for digital download.[39] A second song, "Sleep On It", premiered via Nylon magazine's official website. The song was available for digital download on April 1, 2016.[40] Her alternative rock and electropop EP, Limbic System, was released on June 24, 2016, containing seven songs.[41] "Limbic System" was recorded in two months during July and August 2015 at singer Aaron Marsh's studio in Lakeland, Florida.[42] She co-wrote the songs for the album, along with her then-fiance, David Williams.[43][44] The album's title song, "Limbic System" featuring JMR, was released for streaming on April 29, 2016.[45] "Overwhelmed" featuring Aaron Marsh was released for streaming on May 25, 2016.[41] The remix EP, Limbic System: Reimagined, was released on June 9, 2017,[46] 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 second EP, A Weekend in Maine, was released.[47] Miller returned to her hometown of Beverly, MA to perform a concert, featuring music from the EP on June 13, 2019. The concert was the first show for her 2019 tour in the United States. [48] The EP's title was inspired by the family trips that Miller and her family would take from their home in Massachusetts to Maine when she was a child.[49] The song, Faster Now, written in 2015 and originally intended for her debut EP, Limbic System, was written as a reflection of Miller's struggles with the pressure of songwriting and expectations of the recording industry. [50]

2022 to present: I Think I'm Struggling with Getting Older and Keep Your Chin Up, Kid

In September 2022, her third EP, I Think I'm Struggling with Getting Older was released on streaming platforms.[51] She performed songs from the EP at its official release party on September 19, 2022 in Los Angeles. [52] One of the songs released from the EP as a single, Odd Behavior and its accompanying music video from the EP, was inspired by Quentin Tarantino's work, of which Miller is a fan. [53] Her fourth EP, Keep Your Chin Up, Kid, was release for streaming on June 24, 2024. [54] Miller revealed in an Instagram post that the EP's single, Glory to God, was written about her childhood as a pastor's kid in a strict household and her experience with religious trauma due to her upbringing. [55]

Other ventures

Miller is the co-founder of the music development nonprofit, Push-up Bra LA. The nonprofit was started in 2020 due to Miller's belief that female musicians, songwriters, and producers, needed to have equal representation in the male-dominated recording industry. The nonprofit hosts female-only songwriters camps and talent showcases, featuring female-only musicians in the Los Angeles area. Artists who perform at the showcases are paid through audience donations. Miller has performed at several Push-Bra LA showcases, singing music of her own composition from various independent EP releases. [56]

Personal life

Miller moved to Los Angeles, California, in early 2014 to continue pursuing a professional music career after her participation on American Idol ended.[57] She and her longtime boyfriend, David James Williams, became engaged in late November 2015.[58] They married in a small ceremony in Massachusetts on July 7, 2016.[59] Williams serves as a co-writer, co-producer, and guitarist for her EP recordings and tours.[60] She is a fan of the English band, The 1975, Danish singer, MØ, Khalid, and The Killers, and expressed in an interview in 2019 that she desired to collaborate with all of them.[61]

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 video

  • "So Simple" (2015)

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
Keep Your Chin Up, Kid
  • Released: June 24, 2024
  • 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
"Odd Behavior" 2022 — I Think I'm Struggling with Getting Older
"Glory to God" 2024 — Keep Your Chin Up, Kid
"Christmas Eve" 2024 — Keep Your Chin Up, Kid

Music videos

Year Title Artist
2016 "Talk:Listen" Zealyn
"Sleep On It"
"Overwhelmed"
(featuring Aaron Marsh)
2019 "So Damn Charming" Zealyn
2022 "Odd Behavior" Zealyn
2024 "Glory to God" feat. Silas Zealyn and Silas
2024 "Christmas Eve" Zealyn

Tours

  • 2013:
    American Idols LIVE! Tour 2013
  • 2013: Nice to Meet You Tour (Guest Star for Jessie J)
  • 2013: Celebrate Christmas Tour[62]
  • 2014: Fox International: Angie In Asia[28]
  • 2015: Mini-tour in India (as Angie Miller)
  • 2017: Limbic System Parts 1 & 2 (as Zealyn)
  • 2019-21: A Weekend in Maine (U.S. and Europe shows as Zealyn) [63]
  • 2023: I Think I'm Struggling with Getting Older (as Zealyn)
  • 2024: Keep Your Chin Up, Kid (EP release show in Los Angeles as Zealyn) [64]

References

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  2. ^
    Community Newspaper Holdings
    . Retrieved March 16, 2013.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^
    Yahoo!. Associated Press
    . May 7, 2013. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
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  6. ^ "Angie Miller". American Idol. Archived from the original on April 24, 2013. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
  7. ^ a b c d Leighton, Paul (January 16, 2013). "From Beverly to 'American Idol'". The Salem News. Community Newspaper Holdings. Retrieved March 16, 2013.
  8. ^ Bradbury, Jodi (May 10, 2013). "American Idol: Is Angie Miller in trouble? (+video)". The Christian Science Monitor. Christian Science Publishing Society.
  9. ^ King, Bill (April 17, 2013). "'American Idol' Recap: A Top 5 Waste of Time?". BuddyTV. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  10. ^ 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.
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    . Retrieved May 11, 2013.
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  23. ^ Halperin, Shirley (May 9, 2013). "Mariah Carey No Longer Managed by Randy Jackson". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
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  25. ^ 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.
  26. ^ 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.
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  30. ^ Michele Amabile Angermiller (October 13, 2014). "Listen to 'American Idol' Alum Angie Miller Get". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
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  32. ^ "Heatseekers Albums: Up and Coming Musicians Chart – Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
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  37. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Zealyn Talks Name Change, A Weekend in Maine EP, and More - ECHO". August 22, 2019. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
  38. ^ Little Mermaid (February 20, 2016), Little Mermaid Trailer – 2016, retrieved February 22, 2016
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  43. ^ "Q&A With Zealyn". April 29, 2016. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
  44. ^ Hartley, Ethan (March 31, 2016). "Beverly native Angie Miller releases new music as Zealyn". Wicked Local:Beverly. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
  45. ^ 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.
  46. ^ "Zealyn Releases Limbic System: Reimagined". WithGuitars. June 9, 2017. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  47. ^ 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.
  48. ^ Oemig, Jennie. "A happy homecoming for Zealyn". Wicked Local. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
  49. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Zealyn Talks Name Change, A Weekend in Maine EP, and More - ECHO". August 22, 2019. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
  50. ^ Courtland, Abigail (February 22, 2019). "Zealyn Opens Up About Mesmerizing New Single "Faster Now"". heirwaves. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
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  53. ^ "Alt pop act Zealyn delves into obsessive behavior on "Odd Behavior" – EARMILK". Retrieved March 2, 2025.
  54. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
  55. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
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  58. ^ "'American Idol' Alum Angie Miller Gets Engaged". Billboard. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
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  61. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Zealyn Talks Name Change, A Weekend in Maine EP, and More - ECHO". August 22, 2019. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
  62. ^ "Michael W Smith Announces Christmas Tour". CCM Magazine. October 21, 2013. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
  63. ^ "Zealyn | Martyrs'". martyrslive.com. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
  64. ^ "Zealyn". FMSpins. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
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