Darci Lynne talks 'America's Got Talent: Fantasy League' and debut single 'Push Our Luck'

Darci Lynne is well aware that many people still think of her as the shy and giggly 12-year-old they rooted for on "America's Got Talent" back in 2017.

"I get it all the time, like, 'Oh my gosh, you're how old now?' And I'm like, 'Yeah, I've lived life since then.' ... But I love it. It's fun," she said with a laugh during a recent Zoom interview with The Oklahoman.

"I'm still trying to find myself. I'm really just like every other 19-year-old. ... It's been crazy, but I'm on a new path right now with music. So, we'll see how that goes."

The 2023 Deer Creek High School graduate is trying to stay true to the seventh-grader who won the 12th season of "America's Got Talent" — and the hearts of millions — as a singing ventriloquist, while also making her way as an emerging singer-songwriter ready to take her musical talents in new directions.

On Monday, Feb. 5, the multitalented Oklahoma City performer will both release her debut single, a rollicking ode to breaking curfew called "Push Our Luck," and return to the "America's Got Talent" stage on the semifinals of the spin-off series "AGT: Fantasy League."

How did Darci Lynne introduce 'Darci 2.0' in her debut 'AGT: Fantasy League' performance?

Darci Lynne — whose full name is Darci Lynne Farmer — advanced to the semifinals on the Jan. 22 episode of "America's Got Talent: Fantasy League," earning the last of 20 semifinalist spots during the fourth and final qualifying episode of the new NBC spin-off series.

Darci Lynne took the "AGT" stage with her familiar puppet Petunia in her "Fantasy League" debut. Covering the Kiki Dee Band's soulful anthem "I've Got the Music in Me," the Oklahoma native started out swapping verses with Petunia and clearly controlling the puppet before picking up an electric guitar, leaving the bunny behind and strutting across the stage to perform the upbeat 1970s hit.

"This is the future, Petunia," Darci Lynne declared as the puppet danced on its own in a tiny plush chair, while the performer continued to alternate between singing and voicing the rabbit.

Although the "Darci 2.0" performance, as she dubbed it, got mixed reviews from the "AGT" judges, who encouraged her to stick with the simple ventriloquism they first fell in love with, the studio audience gave Darci Lynne a standing ovation and voted her through to the semifinals.

Competing on judge Heidi Klum's team, she will perform on the second of two semifinal episodes Feb. 5, as "AGT: Fantasy League" continues to air at 7 p.m. Mondays on NBC and stream the next day on Peacock.

Previously the runner-up on the 2019 spin-off "America's Got Talent: The Champions," Darci Lynne chatted with The Oklahoman about competing on "AGT: Fantasy League," working with fellow Oklahomans on her first single and pursuing her musical career in her home state:

Q: What has it been like to go back to 'America's Got Talent' but with this new format?

It's pretty different. It's been really cool, though. It's crazy to come back after the show when I was 12 and then 'Champions,' especially with the new structure and being on a judge's team. It's all really exciting. But it's different now that I'm 19, and I came on the show with the intentions to do something a little different than I've always done. So, it's little nerve racking. ...

I graduated high school. I've been writing music. I've been in a movie since then. There's been lots going on. ... I was really thankful for the opportunity to go on and show people who I am now.

Q: Why was this the right time to debut your first single?

I started writing in quarantine, so I've been writing for pretty much four years. So, I think it was just a matter of when do I want to come out and be like, 'Hey, I also do this. I can hold my own as a solo artist, too.' And I thought, 'Why not go back to where it all started, which was "America's Got Talent?"' They paved the way for me as a ventriloquist, and it's been incredible. And I'm not throwing that away or closing the door on it at all. But now I'm just opening another door, another pathway.

Q; What musical influences went into crafting 'Push Our Luck?'

When people ask me what my vibe is, I tell them I'm still trying to find that. But I grew up on all sorts of music, and so I feel like my inspirations are very eclectic, like a salad bowl.

So, I've honestly just been writing what comes out of me, and right now it's country rock. I don't know, that could change in the future. But this song is just such a moment in itself, because it tells a story, And I'm just hoping that, whatever the vibe of the song is, the story and the lyrics and what the song is saying compels people and connects to them.

Q: You co-wrote 'Push Our Luck' with fellow Oklahomans Maggie McClure and Shane Henry. Did you work on it while you were all making the movie 'A Cowgirl's Song?'

I actually met them back in 2019, and then I auditioned for 'A Cowgirl's Song' in 2021. Then, I found out that they were writing the full soundtrack for it, and I was like, 'Oh, my gosh, our paths are crossing.' But now they've just become such good friends. ... I came to them with a song in mind for my character. They helped me finish the song ('Just Breathe'), and it got onto the soundtrack, which was super cool for me, to explore two things at once — writing and also acting — all in one thing. It was awesome.

I had this song written and almost fully finished back in the summer of 2022, and I really wanted to record it. They've been in this industry for 20-plus years, and they've gone through this. So, it was nice to have them take me under their wing and show me the ropes.

They helped me finish this song, and we recorded it in Nashville with Stephen Leiweke at Yackland Studios. And it was just so much fun. I'd never experienced a studio ... and I just fell in love with it. I'm just so excited to continue on that path and for people to hear the song.

Q: When did you start playing guitar?

I feel like 'plays' is a crazy word. I'm getting there. I started taking lessons with guitar and piano (last year). But it's a whole other animal. I've been doing ventriloquism for nine years, and I feel like I'm now at that point where I'm like, 'OK, yeah, I'm pretty good at this.' But I feel like it's gonna take me the same amount of time, if not more, to be pretty decent at guitar, especially. But I really love it.

Q: Has it helped you as a songwriter?

I'm still trying to be better well-versed in music and music theory ... because that's something I really want to excel in. I have a great ear, I've been singing for as long as I can remember, and I can play chords and be like, 'Oh, this sounds great together. What am I playing?' (laughs) So, I'm just trying to figure that out. But yeah, it does help. I love writing on guitar and piano.

Q: Are you now working full time on a music career?

I actually stopped touring in November of 2022 ... because I wanted to finish out my senior year at home. So, I did that; I graduated in May. And I really am pursuing music full time as of right now.

I'm hoping to find a really cool way to bridge the gap between my puppets and my music and maybe go on the road with that. But I'm not sure. I wish I had a better answer, but I'm just still trying to figure it out. But yeah, I would say I'm pursuing music full time right now, in this very moment.

Q: Have you found the opportunities and resources you need to launch your music career here in Oklahoma?

Don't get me wrong, I'm a sucker for Nashville, Tennessee. It's, like, my favorite city, and I think I'll end up there one day, But I am a tried and true Oklahoman. I'm super blessed to have my family here, because they're an incredible support system, and people like Maggie and Shane and Gary Owen, my ventriloquist coach. Even the Oklahoma Opry has been instrumental in helping me, too, and they're like family to me.

So, yeah, there's definitely resources here, and that's why I've stuck around. I didn't want to move after I won. I know people were like, 'Go to L.A. or go to Vegas.' It's like, 'no, I love Oklahoma.' I think that was one of the best decisions I've made is to stay here. So, I'm gonna stick around.

'AMERICA'S GOT TALENT: FANTASY LEAGUE:' When will Darci Lynne perform?

"America's Got Talent: Fantasy League" airs at 7 p.m. Mondays on NBC, with episodes streaming the next day on Peacock. Darci Lynne will perform on the Feb. 5 semifinals episode.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Darci Lynne talks 'AGT: Fantasy League,' debut single 'Push Our Luck'