Mississippi residents have a chance to help a homegrown talent become the second consecutive winner of ABC singing competition “American Idol.”

Daniel Stallworth, a 27-year-old from Moss Point, is looking to join Meridian’s Jamal Roberts in the win column after Roberts captured the title in season 23. Season 24 resumes Monday night with Stallworth among the top 20 contestants.

But from this point forward, Stallworth will need the viewers to advance.

For the first time this season, fans will be able to vote for who they want to move on in the competition. Traditional voting methods – online and through text message (text 4 to 21523) – will be available. It will also be the first time a reality competition has made the leap to social voting, meaning fans can vote in the comments on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

“You can vote up to 10 times on each platform for a total of 50 times per person, and when voting in the comments on social media, please make sure to spell my name correctly. All you need is my first name,” Stallworth said with a laugh. “But I’m looking forward to Monday and I’m looking forward to the support.”

Even though fans haven’t been able to vote up until this point in the competition, Stallworth says the support he’s received behind the scenes from his hometown and alma mater, Alcorn State University, has been “so encouraging.”

“Moss Point, from day one, has been standing by me even before this ‘American Idol’ journey,” Stallworth said. “They’ve shown their love and support the whole time. They always show me how much they love me. So I’m definitely grateful for my home city. Even my college, Alcorn State University, shouted me out after I received the golden ticket.”

Stallworth earned that golden ticket during the season 24 premiere when the elementary school teacher performed a rendition of “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey. Since then, he has taken the stage with “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King and “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus.

According to him, each song was intentionally chosen to express gratitude for the support he’s received while also offering a glimpse into the challenges of chasing his dream to become the next “Idol” winner.

“Each week, honestly, I try to paint a picture and tell a story from the beginning,” he explained. “With Journey…I wanted to send a message out to anybody who has a hard time believing in themselves or has a hard time with confidence. I try to tell them that no matter what you’re dealing with in your life or no matter how hard you think things are, don’t stop believing. Because there is something inside of you that is great and the world needs to see that.

“With ‘Stand By Me,’ I wanted the people who I know believe in me that as long as you keep believing in me, I want you to stand by me as well. That’s the thing. Even with ‘The Climb,’ this journey in itself has been a climb for sure. I’ve had moments that I was kind of second guessing my vocal ability and second guessing who I am, but I had to remember that I’m telling a story. I can’t stop believing if I’m telling other people to believe.”

Stallworth, who moved to Texas a few months ago to teach music outside of Houston, said he still carries Mississippi with him everywhere he goes – including now, as he competes in Hawaii on one of the nation’s most influential singing competitions.

“American Idol” airs every Monday at 8/7c on ABC.