From American Idol to Grammy nominee, Hollyn is without a doubt, someone who was called to sing gospel music and preach the gospel all over the world.
From a young age, she dedicated her gifts to singing and praising God.
Despite the turmoil, she never stopped believing in her faith. When she released her album called sad Girl in 2019, many Christians didn’t have much good to say about it.
Let’s take a look at what really happened…
Early Life & Achievements
Holly Marie Wilson, known as Hollyn, is an American Christian singer & songwriter born on January 3rd, 1997, in Waverly, Ohio. Jamie Drew Miller is the father of Tammy Lynn Miller.
Jamie Drew Miller is her father and Tammy Lynn Miller is her mother. They are both Christians and raised Hollyn following all religious traditions.
She has one younger brother, Michael. Hollyn has a younger brother named Michael. They attended Christian school together, and every single class started with reading the Bible.
At a very young age, The Isaacs were her go-to for gospel music. They were her inspiration. She was a contestant on American Idol in 2013. This all happened in season 12, where she made it to Hollywood rounds before being eliminated. At the time she was only 16 years old. After elimination from The American Idol, Hollyn continued posting videos on YouTube.
One of her most popular songs was “A Drop in the Ocean” by Ron Pope which garnered over 450k
views. It impressed Toby Mac, who initially thought she had an impressive voice and reached out to her father through a mutual friend, and offered a record deal.
They collaborated on her song, “Alone”, where she was inspired by a passage in Isaiah 30:21 –
“Whether you look to the left or the right, you will hear a voice saying, ‘This is the way. Walk in it.'”
She appeared on TobyMac’s album “This Is Not a Test“, where she was featured on “Backseat
Driver” and “Lights Shine Bright”.
Hollyn’s first EP, Hollyn, was released on October 16, 2015, with Gotee Records. The song “Alone” featuring Truett Foster, ranked on the Billboard Christian Airplay chart at number 11 and number 3 on the Christian Top 40.
She released a single called “Love With Your Life” on July 14, 2016. In that year, she was nominated for a Dove Award for New Artist of the Year. On February 10, 2017, Hollyn released her debut album, One-Way Conversations. One-Way Conversations, reached number six on the Christian music charts in early 2017.
She was responsible for the song “Hola!” which came out on September 15th, 2017. She got engaged to Dillon Wilson, the Young Adults pastor at Oaks Church on November 16th, Her marriage took place on December 31, 2018.
In 2019, she released “Bye, Sad Girl” under Gotee Records. In 2021, she released Holy
Rebellion.
Controversy: Hollyn
In 2019, when she released her album “bye, sad Girl,” it was not well received by some Christians.
One person commented on her post saying, “Why aren’t you singing for God anymore?” Another one said, “Start making sounds about God again.”
There was a lot of criticism about her not being Christian anymore. But she decided to address the comments that claim that she is no longer Christian because her EP, “Bye, Sad Girl”, is about a down season in her life and doesn’t mention God.
Hollyn shared a photo on social media of a couple of comments she received online. “It breaks my heart to read these comments because it’s a complete misinterpretation of this project, me, and the heart of God,” the young singer wrote on Instagram. “The goal is vulnerability, the goal is connectivity, the goal is HEALING,” she explained.
Hollyn said her response to the comments would be: “Isn’t God in every aspect of our life? He is a God of process & God of hope. “
This project is my PROCESS towards inner healing.
This project is God’s promise of HOPE spoken into my heart,” she said.
The three pre-released songs released on her EP do not speak of God or faith and are focused more so on heartbreak after a relationship. However, Hollyn went on to say that she hopes they resonate with anyone struggling with mental health, emotional health, or trauma.
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The three pre-released songs do not focus on faith or God. Instead, she says the songs are about heartbreak and relationships- focusing more on breakups. But Hollyn hopes they resonate with anyone dealing with depression or mental health as well. “I pray this project meets you right where you’re at. whatever your situation is. “that it brings you encouragement to keep taking steps towards freedom,” she wrote.
Hollyn concluded her post, stating, “With the utmost humility and love, I ask you, instead of excluding people, invite them in. Our job is to help people take steps towards truth…not to exclude them.” After reading the explanation, some people were more willing to welcome it: like this happy user who said:
“I also thought this way too. hollyn but reading this now, I see how I was wrong. Thanks for
sharing and explaining to us. I love you. And you’re an amazing singer.“
Conclusion
Hollyn is most widely known for her music, which she blends with elements of Christian music, R&B, and pop.
A talented vocalist and singer-songwriter, Hollyn’s main influences are pop, R&B, and Christian music. Before long she was gaining notoriety in the Christian pop world.
Hollyn is a pioneer, with soulful anthems that span musical genres and borders with introspective lyrics and ethereal melodies.
She has released a number of singles and EPs, each one sounding unique and offering high-quality writing. People are drawn to her because she’s open about the deep parts of her story.
Her story is so beautiful, and she has such talent! I don’t know how she’s grown this much as an artist in just a few years. Watching her always feels like a journey.
A journey that has helped thousands, if not millions of people across the globe.
Hollyn has devoted her life to singing uplifting music that inspires, educates, and helps people connect with God.
So, let’s know in the comments section, what are your thoughts about Hollyn.
FAQs about Hollyn:
Who is Hollyn?
Hollyn, whose full name is Holly Marie Wilson, is an American Christian singer and songwriter born on January 3rd, 1997, in Waverly, Ohio.
What are some of Hollyn’s achievements and early life details?
At a young age, Hollyn dedicated her gifts to singing and praising God. She appeared as a contestant on American Idol in 2013, season 12, when she was 16 years old. After her elimination from the show, she gained popularity on YouTube and caught the attention of Toby Mac, who offered her a record deal. She released her first EP, “Hollyn,” on October 16, 2015, and later her debut album, “One-Way Conversations,” on February 10, 2017. In 2019, she released the EP “Bye, Sad Girl,” which received some criticism from Christians who thought it didn’t focus enough on faith.
How did Hollyn respond to the criticism about her EP “Bye, Sad Girl”?
Hollyn responded to the criticism by explaining that the EP was about a down season in her life and focused on themes of vulnerability and healing. She clarified that the project was a part of her process towards inner healing, and it reflected God’s promise of hope in her heart.
Is Hollyn still a Christian?
Yes, Hollyn identifies as a Christian, and her faith remains an integral part of her life and music.
What is Hollyn’s musical style and influences?
Hollyn’s music blends elements of Christian music, R&B, and pop. Her main influences are pop, R&B, and Christian music.
Has Hollyn released any albums or singles after “Bye, Sad Girl”?
Yes, after “Bye, Sad Girl,” Hollyn released an album called “Holy Rebellion” in 2021.
Is Hollyn married?
Yes, Hollyn got engaged to Dillon Wilson, the Young Adults Pastor at Oaks Church, on November 16th, 2018, and their marriage took place on December 31, 2018.
Does Hollyn have any siblings?
Yes, Hollyn has one younger brother named Michael.
What is Hollyn’s approach to her music?
Hollyn’s music is known for being introspective and offering ethereal melodies with uplifting and inspiring messages that connect with people, helping them find hope and encouragement.
How has Hollyn’s music impacted people?
Hollyn’s music has helped thousands, if not millions of people across the globe by inspiring and uplifting them and helping them connect with God.