Shalhevet Student Danielle Finn Proudly Displays Her Judaism on “American Idol”

Danielle Finn has been singing ever since she was a little girl. She had her first singing lesson was she was 7-years-old and was in the choir at Harkham Hillel Hebrew Academy and Shalhevet High School. Now, the 17-year-old has made her television debut, appearing as a contestant on “American Idol” on Sunday, February 27.

“I’ve been watching ‘American Idol’ my entire life, and I always wanted to be on the show,” said Finn, who is currently a senior at Shalhevet. “My grandpa said I should go on the show, and my mom’s friend signed me up to audition.”

Finn had only performed live twice before she auditioned on Zoom and passed that round. She then went in front of the celebrity judges, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, in person this past October, singing a soulful rendition of “Mirror” by Madison Ryann Ward. While Bryan initially voted “no,” Perry enjoyed Finn’s audition so much that she convinced him to give Finn another try after she sang the song half an octave higher.

“I’ve been watching ‘American Idol’ my entire life and I always wanted to be on the show.” – Danielle Finn

“I was super nervous,” said Finn. “I didn’t practice it that way. But the second time, I did a lot better.”

After the second rendition, Bryan, along with Perry and Richie, voted yes. Finn was granted a golden ticket to move on. Since her audition aired, Finn has gained thousands of followers on her Instagram and TikTok accounts. She has nearly 30,000 followers on TikTok alone, where she posts videos of herself singing covers of songs from artists like Billy Joel, Britney Spears, Beyonce and Rihanna.

What Finn learned from the experience is that while there was a lot of competition, and she found herself getting in her head, “everyone has such a unique voice, and I should never compare myself to someone else. I have something different to give.”

From here, Finn is releasing her own song called, “Brace Yourself.” She also would love to go on tour. If something happens with “American Idol,” she’ll follow her passion for music, but so far, her plans are to go to Midreshet Torat Chessed in Netanya, Israel for the year.

Finn, who wore a chai necklace throughout the entire audition process, said that aside from music, Judaism is the biggest part of her life. She discussed her Jewish day school experience on the show, told producers she kept kosher and requested not to film on Shabbat.

“They were very accommodating,” she said. “They were so accepting. All the contestants were very interested in my Judaism and how much I practice, which was comforting to be around.”

In an email to the Shalhevet community titled “Kiddush Hashem on ‘American Idol,’” Head of School Rabbi David Block wrote that Finn is “demonstrating that there’s value to observance generally, [and] to committing oneself to a code and lifestyle that asks her to acknowledge a Higher Being. To walk with God with humility and dedication. To commit herself to a mesorah (tradition), to a way of life that is bigger than herself. What a rarity that is 2022.”

While Finn said it was a little uncomfortable asking for all the accommodations because of her beliefs, she said she learned from her experience to stick to her religion.

“It’s something I really love. I should never be ashamed. I think I’m definitely a role model for the Jewish community and all religious people. They shouldn’t be nervous or have any hesitation to practice their religion openly. It makes the world more beautiful.”