Since rising to superstardom as a Contemporary Christian and pop artist, “American Idol” alum Lauren Daigle has met countless fans. But none of those fan encounters have touched her quite as deeply as the night eight-year-old Rylie Rollins joined her onstage in early March 2025.
When the Make-a-Wish Foundation offered to make a dream come true for Rollins, who’s dealt with a respiratory disorder and countless surgeries since birth, she asked to meet Daigle. Happy to fulfill the wish, Daigle invited Rollins to join her onstage at the Florida Strawberry Festival on March 1, but it’s a toss up as to which one of them had a better time.
In a March 18 Instagram post about their encounter, Daigle wrote, “I can truly say that meeting Rylie was one of the most inspiring, joy-filling, attitude-checking, perspective-shifting, heart-warming, life-giving, permanent-marker-writing-truth-on-my-heart moments I have ever had in my career and in my life.”
Lauren Daigle Says Make-a-Wish Recipient Rylie Rollins is ‘Braver Than Most Grown Women’
Rollins got to meet Daigle while she and her family were in Florida for three weeks of intense physical therapy sessions, according to a post by her dad, Ronnie Rollins, as she continues to make “strides toward independent mobility.”
She was in a wheelchair on stage with Daigle, but was clearly feeling the music as the songstress sang her 2018 hit “You Say,” moving to the rhythm and raising her hands in praise, with Daigle saying, “beautiful, so beautiful” in between verses.
“I left that encounter and immediately called my loved ones,” Daigle wrote in her post, “crying at the grandeur of the most powerful, infinite God encapsulated and on display through the tenderness and bravery of this little child.”
Daigle, who competed on season 9 of “Idol” and has appeared on the show multiple times since, continued, “All I kept saying as tears fell from my eyes, ‘She marked me! I am forever changed!’ Sometimes, you can’t really put your finger on it, but God will show you a picture so unique and breathtaking in design through a human. I feel as though He did that to me through Rylie.”
Daigle wrote, “I am truly honored to have met such a beautiful young girl, braver than most grown women! I love you, Rylie! I look forward to the next time we meet! Your dance was stunning and met me at my core! Xoxo (Not to mention getting to see your incredible family again!!! All my love!!)”
Rollins’ mom, Katie Rollins, commented on Daigle’s post, “As her momma I can’t thank EVERYONE enough for your love and ask you to pray for Rylie April 1 st as we meet with her team about some very big decisions regarding surgeries for this upcoming year for her. ❤️”
Her sister Allie also wrote, “As her big sis… who has been totally enamored by her since the moment she was born- I can’t thank you enough. There is something about her and YOU that is truly amazing. Thank you Jesus.”
Rylie Rollins Says Meeting Lauren Daigle Was ‘Best Day of My Life’
Rollins’ family shared several posts after her special night at Daigle’s concert, including one in which her dad wrote that the evening “surpassed even our highest expectations.”
He wrote, “@lauren_daigle you made our girl’s dream come true…and beyond! You will never know the impact you had on @ryliekate6 and on all of us! It was a little taste of Heaven. So sweet. So sincere. So special.”
On an Instagram account for Rollins that her family manages, the eight-year-old — who has undergone over 25 surgeries — said meeting and performing with Daigle was the “best day of my life.”
A fan who was at the concert wrote on Daigle’s post, “I was there Lauren…right in front of you & Rylie…it was surreal. I prayed the most fervent prayer that God would preserve & protect you all the days of your life. Matthew 14:14”
Another commented, “Watching this live was so beautiful and touched so many. What a gift she is and what an encourager you are!! You can tell how truly much you love people by the way you loved on her! And Rylies dance was so great! God made her one of a kind for sure!! ❤️”
A GoFundMe account set up for Rollins and her parents by her older sister, Allie Winship, helps the family with expenses associated with traveling for surgeries and treatments. At the time of publication, they’d raised a little over half of their $15,000 goal.
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Lauren Daigle Says She’s Been ‘Forever Changed’ by 8-Year-Old Fan