Lily Meola Mother: How the Singer Turned Tragedy into a Rebirth
Lily Meola is a singer and songwriter who impressed the judges and the audience with her audition on America’s Got Talent in 2022. But behind her captivating voice and stage presence lies a heartbreaking story of losing her mother to cancer and finding solace in music.
Nancy Meola: A Beloved Figure in the Music World
Lily Meola’s mother, Nancy Meola, was once the assistant to famous entertainment manager, Shep Gordon, who worked with artists like Alice Cooper, Blondie, and Luther Vandross. Nancy was a respected and influential person in the music industry, who helped nurture and support many talents. She was also a loving and devoted mother to Lily and her brother, Matt, a world-class surfer.
Nancy was diagnosed with cancer in 2010 and fought a long and brave battle with the disease. Lily put her career on hold and became her full-time carer for a year and a half before she passed away in 2020. Lily was devastated by the loss of her mother, who was her light and her biggest supporter.
Lily Meola: A Rising Star with a Diverse Musical Style
Lily Meola was born on August 3, 1994, in Paia, Hawaii. She grew up listening to old classical and jazz music that her mother would play for her. She was inspired by singers like Ella Fitzgerald, Joni Mitchell, Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Cat Stevens, and James Taylor. She started performing covers of her favorite artists at a weekly show at Café des Amis in Paia, Hawaii, when she was a teenager.
Lily gained significant recognition when country music legend Willie Nelson acknowledged her talent and invited her to sing a duet with him for his album To All The Girls in 2013, when she was only 20 years old. She also became close friends with his son, Lukas Nelson, who supported her through her difficult times.
Lily’s musical style is not limited to country and Americana. She also explores genres like dreampop, folk, soul, and hip-hop. She listens to everything from J. Cole to Joni Mitchell and draws inspiration from various sources. She calls her upcoming EP Daydream, due next year, a “musical memoir of my dark and beautiful, exciting and haunting last few years.”
How Music Helped Lily Cope with Grief and Depression
After her mother’s death, Lily struggled with grief and depression. She immersed herself in self-care activities like baking, going to the beach, and visiting with friends. She also found comfort and healing in songwriting and singing, which helped her express her emotions and cope with her pain.
Lily said in an interview with Rolling Stone, “I still have bad days, but I’m working through it. Now I’m moving into this next segment of my life where I’m trying to persevere and finish what I started and make my mom proud, from wherever it is she might be.”
Lily decided to audition for America’s Got Talent in 2022, hoping to share her story and her music with the world. She stunned the judges and the audience with her original song “Daydreaming”, which she wrote about her mother. She received a standing ovation and a golden buzzer from Heidi Klum, who praised her for her courage and her voice.
Lily Meola is a singer who turned tragedy into a rebirth. She is a testament to the power of music and the strength of the human spirit. She is a rising star with a bright future ahead of her.
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