For The Love With Jen Hatmaker Podcast
Society & Culture:Relationships
For the final episode of our Untraditional Traditions series, Jen’s good friend, American Idol alumni Melinda Doolittle, is with us to have an enlightening chat with Jen, which, as Jen readily admits, is 90% not about Christmas at all—and since we’re being untraditional this year, we’re here for it! Jen gets Melinda to spill all the behind the scenes scoop on what it was like to come through the American Idol machine, including how it felt to be the oldest contestant for her season (at the ripe old age of 28, mind you). They also set the record straight about what happened when Melinda “ignored” Tyler Merritt for a year (let’s just say it involved not knowing how social media works). Finally, since it is our holiday series, Melinda tells us about her favorite Christmas ever, which involves her yearly Christmas show in Nashville, TN, and the very special guest that happened to be in the audience that night.
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Thought-Provoking Quotes
“I was on the same season [of American Idol] as Jordan Sparks and she was the youngest in my season, I was the oldest. We were roommates, so we were extremely close. And she knew who she was. She knew what kind of artist she wanted to be. She had auditioned for lots of competitions. She just knew who she was. And I was like, ‘Can you teach me, 16 year old? Because I don't know.’” - Melinda Doolittle
“I don't think anyone's prepped to ascend that quickly or to have that level of critique. Literally the whole country was saying what they thought of you.” - Melinda Doolittle on life during American Idol
“I truly feel like dreams came true that I didn't actually know I had. I think I hadn't allowed myself to dream about what it would look like for me to be an artist and to step on stages and have my own story to tell.” - Melinda Doolittle
“All I wanted out of life was to be the Black Barbara Streisand. I discovered that I could write some songs. I was okay with that, but I wanted to sing those classic songs that made everybody move, made people cry, made people feel something.” - Melinda Doolittle
“[At my Christmas show] we do a version of 'All I Want for Christmas,' that is my happiest place. And I swore I would never do that song because that song is the gold standard for me. It is Mariah Carey and I will never be her. So to make that song fit me, but to still be true to it, that was one of the most exciting arrangements I've ever come up with. Ever.” - Melinda Doolittle
Guest’s Links
Melinda’s website
Melinda’s Instagram
Melinda’s Facebook
Resources Mentioned in This Episode
People Loving Nashville
Melinda’s Christmas Show in Franklin, Tennessee
Connect with Jen!
Jen’s website
Jen’s Instagram
Jen’s Twitter
Jen’s Facebook
Jen’s YouTube
Retooling Our Holiday Gatherings for More Meaning and Less Stress: Priya Parker
[BONUS] Jen's Favorite Things - 6th Annual Holiday Gift Guide
Maybe It’s Time for A Calm Christmas This Year? Beth Kempton Shows Us How
Creating and Recreating Holiday Traditions with Brian Earl from “The Christmas Past Podcast”
[BOOK CLUB BONUS] Alexandra Andrews’ “Who Is Maud Dixon?”
Wine, Food, and Diversity with Noel Burgess
Getting Spicy with Instagram Foodie Phenom Tieghan Gerard of Half Baked Harvest
[BONUS] The Power of Our Vote In Bettering the World: Beto O’Rourke
The Making of “Feed These People”: Jen’s Cookbook Stylists Tell It All
Surprised by Love: Jen & Tyler On Where They Started and How It’s Going
The Most Empowering Things You Need to Know About Sex & Your Body with Emily Nagoski
Beyond the Swipe: Mastering the Art of Online Dating with Dating Coach Perri Schneider
When a Long-Term Relationship Ends, Where Do You Begin Again? Ft. Laura Stassi
[BOOK CLUB BONUS] Shauna Niequist’s “I Guess I Haven’t Learned That Yet”
Singleness = Fullness, Wholeness and Being Open to Possibilities, with Shani Silver
Matchmaking for Love in the Modern Age with Joseph Dixon and Paris Denise
The Terror of Being Known Again after Divorce with Cameron Esposito
Unraveling The Source of Our Sexual Shame: Jay Stringer Deconstructs Purity Culture
Letters From Me Camp Week 4: Packing Up, Heading Home and Reflections on The Journey
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