“American Idol” season 8 finalist Danny Gokey is reflecting on his journey on the show nearly 20 years later. Gokey, who placed third in the competition behind runner-up Adam Lambert and winner Kris Allen in 2009, opened up about nearly missing the chance to audition just one month after the devastating death of his first wife and high school sweetheart, Sophia.
Now, in a recent Instagram post, Gokey looks back on that difficult moment, sharing with his fans how Sophia’s tragic passing ultimately inspired him to pursue his dream of auditioning for “American Idol.”
Danny Gokey Reflects on First Wife’s Sudden Passing & the ‘American Idol’ Dream She Inspired
Getty“American Idol” finalist Danny Gokey questioned whether he could still make it in the music industry at 27, feeling like he was already too old to pursue his dreams. However, after watching “American Idol” for the first time with his first wife, Sophia, who was a huge fan of the show, Gokey became inspired to take a chance on his musical aspirations and realized it wasn’t too late to chase his dreams.
Sadly, Gokey faced tragedy when Sophia died just weeks before his Idol audition. “One month before going on ‘American Idol,’ I would lose my wife unexpectedly, and I’d be faced with this difficult challenge,” he shared.
He continued, “I remember not wanting to try out for ‘American Idol’ because the pain was just so intense, and it was only a month after she passed away.” Gokey also shared that it was a hard choice to make because he was now 28, which was the cutoff age to audition for the show.
“It’s like, you go, or you don’t go,” Gokey said, adding that he found encouragement from his friends and pastor to try out. Gokey explained that he saw the opportunity as “a wide open door in the midst of” his grief, also knowing that Sophia was the one who encouraged him to audition.
As fans will remember, Gokey placed third on season 8 and would go on to have a successful career in country music before pivoting to contemporary Christian music.
Gokey & His First Wife Were High School Sweethearts
GettyGokey and Sophia were high school sweethearts, and after seven years together, wed in 2004. Five years later, Sophia, who had had a heart condition since birth, had to undergo routine surgery, but she unexpectedly died during the surgery.
Before her passing, she urged Gokey to try out for “American Idol.” “I made a promise that I would go try out,” Gokey told God Reports. “Little did I know that when I would try out for this show, it would be a month after she passed.”
Following Sophia’s passing, Gokey also established the Sophia’s Heart Foundation in her honor, which provides support and assistance to families facing hardship. “Some of the ways they do this is by inspiring children’s minds through music and arts programs, after school programs, helping families succeed through interventions, and restoring hope to communities,” per CBN.
According to People, Gokey found love again with model Leyicet Peralta, and the two married in an intimate ceremony in Florida in 2012. During their wedding ceremony, the couple asked friends and family to donate to his foundation rather than give gifts. The couple shares four children.
