What a wild and beautiful story from both Mother and daughter perspectives. Sad they never met in person but it’s obvious part of her mother lives on through her daughter.
Amy and Derrick got together in 1996, 2-3 years later had McKenna, and made the difficult choice to allow her adoption. It appears that they had some knowledge, and approved of the adopting family. McKenna was 25 years old when the American Idol audition taped, February 2024. It was a gift that the Breinholts invited her birth family to the audition, for their first physical, face-to-face meeting. Much respect, and love. ❤
Kudos to American Idol for recognizing and going to the trouble of finding photos concerning the poignant story offered by McKenna concerning her birth mom, Amy, as part of Nowhere Man and Whiskey Girl. That story ends tragically, but due to the compassion of McKenna's adoption family and the wish of her birth family to find her, she gets to start a whole new, wonderful story. I wish her luck on American Idol. She has a beautiful voice.
I was so drawn to this after seeing American Idol. I too looked for my biological family. The unfortunately the outcome was not the same. I’m sorry you lost your bio mom. As I listened to Amy’s bio here I was shocked because I also have Lupus and almost lost my life to a blood infection. This was a very sad story for me to hear. It was also so uplifting knowing that she took after her bio mom as far as talent goes. And they have identical voices. How amazing this is!!
Such an amazing event on American Idol yesterday! I hope her daughter finds comfort and strength in knowing how special she is and how so many of us fell in love with her voice.
What a beautiful love story? Derrick stayed with her till the end even though he knew she’s going to pass. Indeed when she passed a few days after her death Derrick too passed from being heartbroken. Wow! They gave Mckenna for adoption because she’s going to die & they couldn’t take care of her. But Gods goodness led her to find her birth family. Met them for the first time face to face in American Idol. Wow! God is good! After many years God honored Amy & Derricks life through their daughter & once again their music came alive through her. Katy Perry cried I cried it was so moving and powerful. She sang There was Jesus
HOPEFULLY Amy & Derek Ross's "American Idol" daughter, McKenna, will now begin performing at the NMWG annual LUPUS Benefits in honour of her birth parents who clearly loved each other so very dearly.
Omg, I can’t stop crying. They look so similar and her voice. It reminds me of my mother, she also passed away, she was a musician and wrote her own songs.
God bless you girl for letting me know your amazing mom through you,her legacy lives forever , So grateful to your adopted parents for their generosity
Her and Derricks daughter. They met in 1996 and married in 2003. What makes this even more tragic is the fact that Derrick took his own life the same night Amy died.
Amy and Derek’s love for music is a blessing, living on in the hearts and minds of their loved ones, especially Amy’s daughter, McKenna, as she sang her mom’s song Tumbleweed at the request of her new found biological family. McKenna was adopted and did not have the opportunity to meet her biological mom, Amy, but instead met her new biological family on American Idol. They met in person for the first time through the thoughtful invitation from McKenna’s adoptive parents. An AMAZING and moving segment on American Idol.❤
McKenna, I just say your American Idol audition video then went to UA-cam to visit your biological mom and father, you are truly first a gifted child of God thank you for sharing your story to the world what a blessing to have two very strong families whom have come together as ONE. I wish you nothing but the very best in life you are a shining star already much love. Tamara L. Dawson from Lawndale California
I had the fortune of opening for NWM&WG in 2011 in Cedar City, UT. They held my baby for a few moments while I stepped away. They were so sweet! Amy LOVED holding my baby for a bit. But more important than my experience, Amy and Derrick's music was freaking amazing. I just wish more people knew who they were & their music. I will never stop listening to their music.
Wow I didn’t know she had lupus! I have lupus too- I was on chemo since I had lupus Nephritis stage 4 back in 2004. It helped allot and I’m 58 and still alive thank God and I thank my rheumatologist at John Peter Smith hospital in Fort Worth, Texas
This hits home for me.. I have lupus amongst other autoimmune disorders n health issues and have been in my relationship for over 16 years now.. basically my whole adult life.. we're best friends.. I've heard of other ppl just randomly being taken by lupus with no real warning.. u never know what day will be ur last.. there's only one rheumatologist in my area that accepts my insurance n it was a series of bad experiences at that office.. which means there's no specialist around here that I can go to.. it's terrifying.. I can't get the treatment I need.. that's small town life I guess.. anyway.. I pray for anyone that's going through whatever their battle is wins and has a blessed peaceful life that they get to spend with thier best friend.. good bless y'all💖
Thanks for This Explained a lot about Amy and Derek unconditional ❤️ love ❤️ Mckenna was magnificent on AI I am here because of her and her legacy Greetings from Dublin Ireland 🇮🇪 Tis a small world nowadays.
Why did she give her daughter in adoption? We will never know what we do know is that, thanks to her, a family was very happy ❤ God bless the brave moms!!!
Her mother lives on in her daughter! What an inspiring and emotional performance on American Idol. And hopefully draws attention to Lupus and donations.
I wish Derek Ross didn't take his own life, when there is a child involved you must push threw for them. I'm glad everything turned out ok for Mckenna, many time this story does not have a happy ending.
In other accounts I have it said that Amy was pregnant when she met Derek. There was "no child involved", right s to that child had been given up. Amy was able to choose which family raised her daughter. It is a touching story!
Amy daughter known as mckenna breinholt shown up in american idol and boom, her voice become magic to the world, her background fam become true story of musician birth parent as hard street journey..this is an ideal to be a star with alot story to tell as big music industries to create billion dollars and fame..so american idol management must to movie fast to contract mckenna..🎉❤❤❤❤
I don't like how you don't say how he died in a last attempt to be with his love. He went home with no loved ones supervision, he was left alone and he shot himself to be with whom he considered his soulmate and that makes it the most romantic, giving selfless, sad love story ever!!
So sad😢 together forever..❤ hopefully...when it's not your turn.. how do you know...I'm stil🎉l gonna say together forever❤...their story while tragic, is still so beautiful..And so seeing their daughter on Idol was really such a gift then!❤❤❤
People always lose loved ones and there is no benefit to taking you own life when they go. He knew he had a daughter and could have looked for her and made contact and had some meaning to his life. He took the selfish way out.
Yes she had Lupas and did not want to risk it being genetic. But once they found out she was ok they could have made a different decision at least to maintain contact@@foxelady6359
You just didn’t find the info. This is what I found. [There is something more tragic about what happened between Nowhere Man And A Whiskey Girl. Derrick and Amy Ross had a daughter called McKenna Breinholt. However, things did not go their way as they gave her up for adoption when Amy was twenty-five years old. They ensured McKenna had a good, properly caring home to grow up in, a very hard decision.] This is a write up about their story.
@@leandragilmour2806 with all due respect, I don't trust that source at all. That article seems to have just popped up on a small website a few days ago, written by someone who didn't know Amy or Derrick and has no inside information, just to gather some clicks from the AI buzz. I don't have any direct information about the circumstances surrounding the pregnancy or adoption either (they seem to have kept that very private), but I did know Amy and Derrick and am still connected to many of their very closest friends and family on social media, and here's what I can tell you - all of those people are referring to McKenna as "Amy's daughter", and never "Amy and Derrick's daughter". Take that as you will. I'm sure the family will say more when and if they feel it is appropriate, but in the meantime let's respect their privacy and not spread rumors.
whose here from her daughters audition? 💜💜
Me right after i heard her sing from Audition
Guilty
❤
Me.. touching story
😊
I just heard her daughter audition on American Idol. She sounds just like her mother. Beautiful voice.
I wonder if that was her dad.wow so sad
That’s what brought me here. Mom is awesome and so is daughter. Awesome story and kudos to her adopted parents. Loved her song choice
What a wild and beautiful story from both Mother and daughter perspectives. Sad they never met in person but it’s obvious part of her mother lives on through her daughter.
Very beautiful voice!
She is a star !!!
This was the best American Idol audition and so touching.
Amy and Derrick got together in 1996, 2-3 years later had McKenna, and made the difficult choice to allow her adoption. It appears that they had some knowledge, and approved of the adopting family. McKenna was 25 years old when the American Idol audition taped, February 2024. It was a gift that the Breinholts invited her birth family to the audition, for their first physical, face-to-face meeting. Much respect, and love. ❤
So the family that she met in American Idol was it the side of her father or the side of her mothers?
@@emilyfearless2541 It was McKenna's Bio Mother's Mother, Brother and 2 sisters
What a brave decision Amy made for daughter 😢
What a beautiful performance and story. What about her father Derrick's family?
@emilyfearless2541 .. yes her bio grandmother, and aunts and uncle
I just watched her daughter audition on American Idol. This is a heart breaking story. Amazing talented artists gone way to soon.
Kudos to American Idol for recognizing and going to the trouble of finding photos concerning the poignant story offered by McKenna concerning her birth mom, Amy, as part of Nowhere Man and Whiskey Girl. That story ends tragically, but due to the compassion of McKenna's adoption family and the wish of her birth family to find her, she gets to start a whole new, wonderful story. I wish her luck on American Idol. She has a beautiful voice.
American Idol brought me here too. Rip Amy.❤ Your voice lives on through your beautiful daughter.
Don't forget Derek. He, too, essentially died from this illness and was her father as well.
I came across this thanks to American Idol 🌟 Your daughter was amazing! Wishing that your brightness shines through her. 💓
Me too💚👍🇬🇧
So love this story and it could easily be a movie with her daughter being on American Idol and sharing the families story. Blessing From God.... Amen
I hope that happens!
🙏
I was so drawn to this after seeing American Idol. I too looked for my biological family. The unfortunately the outcome was not the same. I’m sorry you lost your bio mom. As I listened to Amy’s bio here I was shocked because I also have Lupus and almost lost my life to a blood infection. This was a very sad story for me to hear. It was also so uplifting knowing that she took after her bio mom as far as talent goes. And they have identical voices. How amazing this is!!
I also suffer from Lupus 💜💜💜
Such an amazing event on American Idol yesterday! I hope her daughter finds comfort and strength in knowing how special she is and how so many of us fell in love with her voice.
Not only McKenna Breinholt reunited with her birth family hopefully she can unite with the Nowhere Man and Whiskey Girl community.
What a beautiful love story? Derrick stayed with her till the end even though he knew she’s going to pass. Indeed when she passed a few days after her death Derrick too passed from being heartbroken. Wow! They gave Mckenna for adoption because she’s going to die & they couldn’t take care of her. But Gods goodness led her to find her birth family. Met them for the first time face to face in American Idol. Wow! God is good! After many years God honored Amy & Derricks life through their daughter & once again their music came alive through her. Katy Perry cried I cried it was so moving and powerful. She sang There was Jesus
HOPEFULLY Amy & Derek Ross's "American Idol" daughter, McKenna, will now begin performing at the NMWG annual LUPUS Benefits in honour of her birth parents who clearly loved each other so very dearly.
I was literally thinking the same thing
Her daughter has an amazing voice.. wow. And she’s gorgeous.
Omg, I can’t stop crying.
They look so similar and her voice.
It reminds me of my mother, she also passed away, she was a musician and wrote her own songs.
What a beautiful love story ❤ I am here after hearing her daughter sang beautifully her one of her mother’s song beautifully RIP to both
This song made me cry. I heard it on American Idol being sung by her daughter. So beautiful
God bless you girl for letting me know your amazing mom through you,her legacy lives forever , So grateful to your adopted parents for their generosity
Wow what a beautiful story of love and resilience. ❤
Now their daughter who they put up for adoption is on American Idol 2024. Yes, they live on ❤️
Her daughter. She didn't meet her husband until later.
Her and Derricks daughter. They met in 1996 and married in 2003. What makes this even more tragic is the fact that Derrick took his own life the same night Amy died.
Was Derrick her birth father? Wonder why she didn’t address him in the show ?
@@carinah6320 I wonder that too. I don't think Derrick is her father or they would have mentioned that.
Amy and Derek’s love for music is a blessing, living on in the hearts and minds of their loved ones, especially Amy’s daughter, McKenna, as she sang her mom’s song Tumbleweed at the request of her new found biological family. McKenna was adopted and did not have the opportunity to meet her biological mom, Amy, but instead met her new biological family on American Idol. They met in person for the first time through the thoughtful invitation from McKenna’s adoptive parents. An AMAZING and moving segment on American Idol.❤
Her mom still lives. McKenna's birth mother died not her mom. You said it in your comment yourself so show her actual mom some respect.
Please don't turn a beautiful story into a nasty fiasco...❤❤❤
This was the best American idol audition 😢😢😢😢
McKenna, I just say your American Idol audition video then went to UA-cam to visit your biological mom and father, you are truly first a gifted child of God thank you for sharing your story to the world what a blessing to have two very strong families whom have come together as ONE. I wish you nothing but the very best in life you are a shining star already much love. Tamara L. Dawson from Lawndale California
Such a lovely couple. May they both rest in peace together.💔 Go McKenna Go......🙏
One of the most beautiful and sad love stories of all time. Songs that stay in my head all night long.
just came to find out that amy was my dad friend and we know the family personally. she truly has the voice of an angel
Omg😭😭this is the saddest story ever..Amy lives on through her daughter May God bless this family
I had the fortune of opening for NWM&WG in 2011 in Cedar City, UT. They held my baby for a few moments while I stepped away. They were so sweet! Amy LOVED holding my baby for a bit. But more important than my experience, Amy and Derrick's music was freaking amazing. I just wish more people knew who they were & their music. I will never stop listening to their music.
I'm here because of her daughter's audition ❤ I love their voices and I'm amazed to the song tumbleweed
Sad story. Her legacy is her daughters beautiful voice
man i wish she had gotten to meet her unknown daughter
Wow I didn’t know she had lupus! I have lupus too- I was on chemo since I had lupus Nephritis stage 4 back in 2004. It helped allot and I’m 58 and still alive thank God and I thank my rheumatologist at John Peter Smith hospital in Fort Worth, Texas
i just saw the performance for her daughter on America idol.... she just look her mother it was AMAZING ❤❤❤
Two beautiful people. I had the fortune of knowing them very briefly as my band came and went from Bisbee and Phoenix.
We all loved them here in Bisbee.
This hits home for me.. I have lupus amongst other autoimmune disorders n health issues and have been in my relationship for over 16 years now.. basically my whole adult life.. we're best friends.. I've heard of other ppl just randomly being taken by lupus with no real warning.. u never know what day will be ur last.. there's only one rheumatologist in my area that accepts my insurance n it was a series of bad experiences at that office.. which means there's no specialist around here that I can go to.. it's terrifying.. I can't get the treatment I need.. that's small town life I guess.. anyway.. I pray for anyone that's going through whatever their battle is wins and has a blessed peaceful life that they get to spend with thier best friend.. good bless y'all💖
Such a beautiful moment on American Idol that brought me here.
You know they were deeply in love when her husband joined her 24 hours later.😢
Hoping the daughter goes to this benefit and performs …. That would be so cool! Bet friends and family would love it!! Shit I’d go lol
Thanks for This
Explained a lot about Amy and Derek unconditional ❤️ love ❤️
Mckenna was magnificent on AI
I am here because of her and her legacy Greetings from Dublin Ireland 🇮🇪
Tis a small world nowadays.
I look for the whiskey girl because I saw her daughter in the American idol,very sad she passed away to young
I am speechless🫶😯🩷I will be rooting for you sweet girl!! New fan forever !
Yes American idol brought me here to what a love they both had an an amazing daughter .
I love this story. Thank you American Idol for bringing all of us to these videos. So sad and just proves you CAN die from a broken heart.
Sadly he took his own life the day Amy died.
A very good movie can be made with this beautiful story😊😊
Her daughters carry her talent, what a great talent they had. RIP mom, 100% your daughter will go far, a stardom
So beautiful. Teary eyes.
I can’t comprehend the pain that Derek experienced 24hrs after Amy died, such love till death do as part.
American Idol brought me here!
I have lupus. I just saw their daughter on “Idol”, and I wish I’d booked them when I was promoting and booking independent artists back then. Damn.
Why did she give her daughter in adoption? We will never know what we do know is that, thanks to her, a family was very happy ❤ God bless the brave moms!!!
This could be a movie. Beautiful story.
Her voice is beautiful 🖤🖤🖤
Breaks your heart.
I just saw her beautiful daughter on American idol it was amazing sorry
Wow. What a beautiful life they had. Powerful love story. Her daughter is also very talented. God bless her endeavors. 🙏🙏❤️❤️
Despite her sickness what a life and love they had.rip young lady and young man❤❤❤
Wow her parents were alive until so recently... so sad she didn't know sooner and couldn't meet them. 😢
They should make a movie about them and how her legacy continues through her daughter she never knew
Wow, this story is so touching❤, brought me to tears,
Wow how sad. I just saw her daughter in AI. She would be proud of her daughter
Thanks American idol ❤❤May her soul keep resting in peace and God bless her daughter she is so beautiful ❤
A beautiful sad story, my heart feels broken because the world never got to know them, but perhaps her daughter will hopefully carry on.
Her mother lives on in her daughter! What an inspiring and emotional performance on American Idol. And hopefully draws attention to Lupus and donations.
There really should be a movie made about this love story ❤
Her daughter Is keeping her spirits alive
So sad that he couldn't go on without her.
I wish Derek Ross didn't take his own life, when there is a child involved you must push threw for them. I'm glad everything turned out ok for Mckenna, many time this story does not have a happy ending.
I don’t know for sure , but after research I’m almost certain he isn’t McKenna’s Dad.
@@surfboyrio i started thinking about it later and I believe your right and that Mckenna was not in their life at all by the time she passed.
In other accounts I have it said that Amy was pregnant when she met Derek. There was "no child involved", right s to that child had been given up. Amy was able to choose which family raised her daughter. It is a touching story!
then maybe her bio dad may be alive ??? @@maryclifton8556
❤ She'd would be so proud of her daughter on American idol. I wonder if Derek was her father?
I don't think he was since they are not mentioning him. I wonder if her father is alive?
I’m wondering why they didn’t give their child to their families to raise?
Amy daughter known as mckenna breinholt shown up in american idol and boom, her voice become magic to the world, her background fam become true story of musician birth parent as hard street journey..this is an ideal to be a star with alot story to tell as big music industries to create billion dollars and fame..so american idol management must to movie fast to contract mckenna..🎉❤❤❤❤
Omg he passed away too from a broken heart 💔 😭😭😭
Derrick and Amy were meant to be together on earth and in heaven together forever❤
I seen these 2 in concert in 1998
Oh my makes me cry.
Twin souls, agape.
Her daughter in American Idol❤
RIP to her mother🕊
This would make a great movie
My husband's mother died of a blood clot, but she had this disease she was a beautiful person
What a beautifully sad story..... I will be following her daughter on American Idol, who has an amazing voice!
Rest in Peace 🙏
I like to think they are reunited now xx
Is anyone here from American idol. McKenna has my vote
everyone is!
What a sad love story!!
I don't like how you don't say how he died in a last attempt to be with his love. He went home with no loved ones supervision, he was left alone and he shot himself to be with whom he considered his soulmate and that makes it the most romantic, giving selfless, sad love story ever!!
Romantic? Supervision? You choose strange words.
So sad😢 together forever..❤ hopefully...when it's not your turn.. how do you know...I'm stil🎉l gonna say together forever❤...their story while tragic, is still so beautiful..And so seeing their daughter on Idol was really such a gift then!❤❤❤
People always lose loved ones and there is no benefit to taking you own life when they go. He knew he had a daughter and could have looked for her and made contact and had some meaning to his life. He took the selfish way out.
@@docguinwayne8370do you know why they gave their daughter, away?
Yes she had Lupas and did not want to risk it being genetic. But once they found out she was ok they could have made a different decision at least to maintain contact@@foxelady6359
❤❤❤❤❤❤
❤
Indeed
How beautiful, made me cry..... A beautiful love story as well. RIP hope your daughter sins American Idols ❤
How did Derek pass away? Does anyone know?
Here from idol❤ I haven’t stopped crying
Me too
Me too😭😭😭 very sad and beautiful story
Aimee mann
I was just looking up Amy and Derrick
Ross they don't mention about them having a baby girl
they told the story on American Idol tonight. I'm sure if you google you can find all about it.
They didn't...SHE did. This was before she met Derrick, but after her diagnosis.
Makes sense. Also she probably wondered how much time she had..maybe.. and wanted baby to have the best life possible...
You just didn’t find the info. This is what I found.
[There is something more tragic about what happened between Nowhere Man And A Whiskey Girl.
Derrick and Amy Ross had a daughter called McKenna Breinholt.
However, things did not go their way as they gave her up for adoption when Amy was twenty-five years old.
They ensured McKenna had a good, properly caring home to grow up in, a very hard decision.]
This is a write up about their story.
@@leandragilmour2806 with all due respect, I don't trust that source at all. That article seems to have just popped up on a small website a few days ago, written by someone who didn't know Amy or Derrick and has no inside information, just to gather some clicks from the AI buzz.
I don't have any direct information about the circumstances surrounding the pregnancy or adoption either (they seem to have kept that very private), but I did know Amy and Derrick and am still connected to many of their very closest friends and family on social media, and here's what I can tell you - all of those people are referring to McKenna as "Amy's daughter", and never "Amy and Derrick's daughter". Take that as you will.
I'm sure the family will say more when and if they feel it is appropriate, but in the meantime let's respect their privacy and not spread rumors.
this is a tragic story wow wow wow
Is lupus hereditary?
Just watch America idol woooo the daughter
What happened to Derrick?
yep
Am I wrong for assuming that deric took his own life?
No, he couldn’t handle the lost and shot himself in the head at the night after . Tragic but true.
clearly...