Draft:Maddie Zahm

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Last edited by Rsjaffe (talk | contribs) 45 days ago. (Update)

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Maddie Zahm is an American singer-songwriter known for her vulnerable lyricism, LGBTQ+ advocacy, and viral single Fat Funny Friend. She gained national attention on the sixteenth season of American Idol in 2018, and later rose to prominence through TikTok and her 2022 EP, You Might Not Like Her. Zahm’s music often explores themes of body image, faith deconstruction, and queer identity.^[1]^[2]^[3]

Early Life

Zahm was raised in Boise, Idaho in a conservative Christian household. As a teenager, she was active in church leadership and involved in music ministry. She later revealed that growing up queer in a religious environment caused internalized shame and led to a delayed coming-out process.^[4]

Career

2018–2021: American Idol and Transition to Independent Work

In 2018, Zahm competed on the sixteenth season of American Idol, where she was praised for her powerhouse vocals but was eliminated before the Top 24 round. Following her time on the show, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue songwriting and eventually started sharing personal songs on TikTok, gaining viral traction.

2022: You Might Not Like Her and Breakthrough

Zahm released her debut EP, You Might Not Like Her, in 2022. The title track, along with Fat Funny Friend, went viral for their brutally honest take on fatphobia, queerness, and identity. The songs received widespread praise from both fans and critics for their emotional vulnerability and relatability.^[5]

2023–2024: Now That I’ve Been Honest and Touring

Her debut album, Now That I’ve Been Honest, was released in 2023 and further explored themes of body image, mental health, sexuality, and religious trauma. Zahm opened for P!nk at Hyde Park in London and headlined her own international tour in 2024.^[6]

2025: Recent Projects

In 2025, Zahm released the single Heaven, described as a tender track that reflects on guilt, intimacy, and queer healing. She spoke about reclaiming softness and joy in relationships after a history of shame and emotional repression.^[7]

Personal Life

Zahm came out as bisexual in her early 20s and has spoken openly about how her upbringing in a conservative Christian community delayed her self-acceptance. Her experiences have informed much of her songwriting, especially the tension between faith and identity.^[8]

Discography

EPs

You Might Not Like Her (2022)

Albums

Now That I’ve Been Honest (2023)

Notable Singles

Fat Funny Friend
You Might Not Like Her
Heaven

References

^ Olson, Cathy Applefeld (May 27, 2025). "Mind Reading: Maddie Zahm on Building Catharsis And Community Through Song". Forbes.
^ Jacobs, Eleanor (March 7, 2025). "Exclusive Interview: Maddie Zahm Isn't Angry Anymore". The Knockturnal.
^ "Maddie Zahm on Coming Out as Bisexual, Dealing With Religious Trauma, and Opening for P!nk". Them. March 5, 2024.
^ "Maddie Zahm on Coming Out as Bisexual, Dealing With Religious Trauma, and Opening for P!nk". Them. March 5, 2024.
^ Jacobs, Eleanor (March 7, 2025). "Exclusive Interview: Maddie Zahm Isn't Angry Anymore". The Knockturnal.
^ "Maddie Zahm on Coming Out as Bisexual, Dealing With Religious Trauma, and Opening for P!nk". Them. March 5, 2024.
^ Jacobs, Eleanor (March 7, 2025). "Exclusive Interview: Maddie Zahm Isn't Angry Anymore". The Knockturnal.
^ "Maddie Zahm on Coming Out as Bisexual, Dealing With Religious Trauma, and Opening for P!nk". Them. March 5, 2024.

[1] Olson, Cathy Applefeld (May 27, 2025). "Mind Reading: Maddie Zahm on Building Catharsis And Community Through Song". Forbes.

[2] Jacobs, Eleanor (March 7, 2025). "Exclusive Interview: Maddie Zahm Isn't Angry Anymore". The Knockturnal.

[3] "Maddie Zahm on Coming Out as Bisexual, Dealing With Religious Trauma, and Opening for P!nk". Them. March 5, 2024.

[4] "Maddie Zahm on Coming Out as Bisexual, Dealing With Religious Trauma, and Opening for P!nk". Them. March 5, 2024.

[5] Jacobs, Eleanor (March 7, 2025). "Exclusive Interview: Maddie Zahm Isn't Angry Anymore". The Knockturnal.

[6] "Maddie Zahm on Coming Out as Bisexual, Dealing With Religious Trauma, and Opening for P!nk". Them. March 5, 2024.

[7] Jacobs, Eleanor (March 7, 2025). "Exclusive Interview: Maddie Zahm Isn't Angry Anymore". The Knockturnal.

[8] "Maddie Zahm on Coming Out as Bisexual, Dealing With Religious Trauma, and Opening for P!nk". Them. March 5, 2024.

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