From the moment she was introduced, McKinney was open about her upbringing.
As the youngest of seven, she and her family lived in public housing during her childhood.
She claims that music was an integral part of her family dynamic.
After all, her late father was a gospel and blues singer.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Congratulations!
It was definitely a whirlwind experience; you were only on the show for two weeks.
And thats what I did.
When she said that, I was like, Are you for real?
And they flew me out [to Los Angeles], probably three days later.I auditioned for the show.
Then they flew me back to Memphis.
Like, after I got a seat, the next morning I was in the studio recording.
OK, lets flash back to finale night.
Vocally, she can do anything.
Her range is insane.
She has so much control over her vocals, its crazy.
As singers, thats something we all wish to have.
But, what I brought to the table was the soul and the rawness and the entertainment.
I thank God for that, because its gon take me a real long way.
You mentioned in your introduction video onThe Fourthat your dad told you youd be the next Alicia Keys.
But I won and I went in and I left everything on the stage.
I really wanted to win, and I think thats why I won.
Honestly, thats the most important thing.
