Christian singer Lauren Daigle, who recently sang on The Ellen Show, is preparing for another big TV appearance. This week Daigle announced via social media that she’ll perform November 7 on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
SURPRISEEE!!! Personal dream ✅ So excited to announce that I will be on @jimmyfallon! I always said that if I ever make it on @fallontonight, I would run and slide on his desk. That would be my dream entrance. Who knows what could happen 🤷🏼♀️ Tune in Wednesday 11/7. #FallonTonight pic.twitter.com/t1GjCb5ii3
— Lauren Daigle (@Lauren_Daigle) October 31, 2018
Daigle, 27, tweeted that Fallon’s invite is a “personal dream” and that her “dream entrance” would be to run and slide across the talk-show host’s desk.
Daigle Defends Appearing on Ellen
For her October 24 debut on Ellen, Daigle sang a powerful rendition of “Still Rolling Stones” from her new hit album Look Up Child. When the album released in September, it was number three on the Billboard Top 200 chart. Since then, it’s had the best sales week for a Christian album since 2009.
Because Ellen Degeneres is openly gay, some Christians are critical of Daigle’s decision to sing on the show. “You’re very talented, but you’re being blinded by fame,” one writes online. Another says, “How is she letting her light shine…if she didn’t even declare Jesus Christ and the gospel at all she just came on there to sing.”
Although “Still Rolling Stones” doesn’t mention Jesus by name, it references a Savior and his resurrection power. Of the song, Daigle says, “It’s all about the things we think are dead, and a reminder that all losses can be revived. They can all come back.”
Daigle responded to backlash about her Ellen appearance during an interview with WAY-FM Radio. “The second we start drawing lines around which people are able to be approached and which aren’t, we’ve already completely missed the heart of God,” says the singer. “I don’t have all the answers in life, but one thing I know is that I can’t choose who I’m supposed to be kind to and who I’m not, because that’s the mission, right? Be who Christ was to everyone as well.”
Degeneres made the song choice, Daigle says, adding that maybe it “spoke to her the most.” Daigle isn’t the first Christian musical guest to appear on Ellen.
Reaching a Wider Audience With the Gospel
Fans are excited about Daigle’s opportunity to share her message with a wider audience. “You are a living testimony of what Jesus says to do and I am thrilled,” one writes online.
After Daigle announced her November 7 appearance on Fallon’s show, more encouraging words poured in. “I hope you plant that seed [of the Gospel] to all of the viewers,” someone writes. Another comments: “The world needs to hear the power of the Lord with your voice. Your voice has blessed the Christian community in so many ways now it’s time for this Godless world to know JESUS!!”
In a recent interview with Billboard Magazine, Daigle indicates she’d like to make music that both Christians and non-Christians can connect with and appreciate. Her goal, she says, is to stay authentic to who she is and to who God created her to be.
Music is more than entertainment for Daigle, who tells Billboard our world is “starving for hope” and “starving for joy.” By singing Christian songs on mainstream TV shows, Daigle is indeed spreading the hope and joy that Jesus provides.
