Lauren Daigle croppedFaith and music have been intertwined in Lauren Daigle’s life since birth. She grew up in a region steeped in blues, country, zydeco, and Cajun music. But she almost pushed music to the backburner, unsure if it was her true calling, until a devastating illness brought her young life into sharper focus.

Blessed with a voice that is both smoky and sweet, and challenged by the difficult diagnosis of a severe immune deficiency illness at the age of fifteen inspired her to frame her worship music in a unique light. Lauren puts it best when she says, “The Lord began to just pour in passion for music, singing, and writing songs.”

In a short time, she has made an impressive mark on the Christian music scene, appearing on Jason Gray’s Christmas tour and opening for Aaron Shust. She leads worship three or four Sundays a month at Atlanta’s North Point Community Church.

What sparked your earliest interest in music?

Celine Dion and Whitney Houston! Their powerful voices intrigued me so I would walk around the house singing their songs all day long.

God sometimes sends us down an unexpected path in life—one that ultimately blesses us more than our original plan. Have you ever experienced such a “Divine Detour”?

When I was fifteen years old, I was diagnosed with an illness called cytomegalovirus. I had to be taken out of high school and placed on home-bound. It was a season spent with lots of alone time and tremendously halted the typical teenage busy lifestyle.

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But regardless of how different my high school experience was from the ‘norm,’ God’s purpose prevailed. He began to teach me all about His character and gave me visions about my future. He comforted me by showing me where I was going and why I was being brought through trials at such a young age. His timing is perfect!

Let’s talk about How Can It Be (Centricity Music, September 2014). How many of the songs on the project did you write? Is there one song that is particularly meaningful to you?

I co-wrote all of the songs except for O’Lord and How Can It Be. Power to Redeem always stands out in the crowd to me, as it is all about the profound redemption of Christ and how He has the power to take us and transform us into something beautiful. The opportunity arose for me to meet girls caught in the trials of the trafficking industry. It is an amazing program, called Restore Her, that rescues at-risk girls wrapped up in the sex industry and gives them an opportunity to experience first-hand the power of redemption. This song always reminds me of those girls.

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Your music is reminiscent of other musical formats. Who were your early musical influences?

Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Billy Joel, Adele, and Kim Walker

God often uses our work to teach us something. What did you learn (about life, faith, and/or even yourself) in the process of recording this album?

During the process of recording, my grandfather passed away. I had to learn what it meant to truly trust God with every area of my life. He was faithful to allow me to be there with my grandfather, while also fulfilling the role I needed to as an artist. I had to learn how to communicate my ideas and move beyond the difficulty of vulnerability, risking potential rejection. God showed me how to humbly take a stand instead of shrink back, a lesson useful for any field of work or ministry. I feel like I have grown more in wisdom in these past few years than in all of my prior years combined.

A few fun questions…

What’s your favorite comfort food and why?

Cajun food because it reminds me of home. Ice Cream or Oreos because I thoroughly enjoy sweets.

What’s the name of the last GREAT book you’ve read?

Yikes! I wish I read more often. It is something I am truly striving to get better about and making a priority.

In the story that is your life, are you the strong, female lead; the girl next door; the mysterious woman behind dark glasses; the super heroine; or the little girl trying to walk in high heels?

Totally the girl next door with a touch of strong, female lead and little girl trying to walk in high heels!

I’m a dog lover. Please tell us about your pets, if any, or your favorite pet as a child.

We used to have a Great Dane. We named her ‘Baby’ as a joke because clearly Great Danes are far from small.

Thank you, Lauren! It’s nice to have you as a guest at DivineDetour.

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For more information about Lauren and her music, visit her website.  

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