Scott MacIntyre | Blind American Idol Finalist, Transplant Recipient and Author

Scott MacIntyre

Blind American Idol Finalist, Transplant Recipient and Author

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Phoenix, AZ, US

Scott MacIntyre
Biography

Scott MacIntyre is an acclaimed speaker, singer-songwriter, scholar, and author. Since his introduction into the public eye as the first blind finalist on American Idol, he has inspired audiences throughout North America and beyond with his dynamic speeches on overcoming adversity, achieving goals, and the importance of education.

Blind from birth and a two-time kidney transplant recipient, Scott knows what it means to persevere despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles. In his autobiographical book By Faith, Not By Sight, Scott writes about how he learned to create opportunity, take risks, and overcome any challenge to realize his goals and dreams. His road to success was anything but easy, and he is living proof that with commitment, diligence, and humility, anything is possible.

Scott was first diagnosed with stage-four kidney failure at nineteen years old, and after becoming extremely ill, he began emergency dialysis.

"The hardest thing for me was not having enough strength to play the piano and sing anymore," says Scott. "It felt like my dreams were dying, but still I held on to hope."

After a year on dialysis, his college piano teacher's wife donated her kidney to Scott and saved his life. It was less than a year later that he auditioned for American Idol.

"Without that gift of life, I never would have been on American Idol, married my wife Christina, or been able to share my story with others. It was a very humbling experience to say the least."

That kidney transplant lasted for eight years, then in September 2014, Scott was put back on the transplant waiting list for a deceased-donor kidney. Several months later, an anonymous living donor stepped forward and offered to undergo compatibility testing after hearing about Scott's need on the radio.

In June 2015, Scott underwent his second successful kidney transplant and has since made a full recovery. The following year, Scott and his wife Christina welcomed their first baby into the world - Christian Scott MacIntyre, born September of 2016.

"When I was in kidney failure, we couldn't have kids. So when my donor gave me the gift of life she not only saved my life but also allowed us to create a new life."

Their story is recounted in the new documentary film, I Am Hope: Scott MacIntyre's Inspirational Transplant Journey.

As an accomplished pianist, Scott's heartfelt songs and powerful voice take his audiences on an emotional journey of hardship and hope, entreating listeners that no matter what life brings their way, life is always worth living to the fullest.

Scott has appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Regis and Kelly, the Today Show, Canada AM, Larry King Live, Huckabee, and many other programs. In 2010, Scott was honored by Dr. Robert and Arvella Schuller with the annual award for "promoting positive values in the media." In 2012, he partnered with Donate Life America and FOX to launch a national PSA for organ, eye, and tissue donation. He wrote a song for the PSA entitled "I Am Hope," and it quickly became a theme song for the transplant community. The song was released on Scott's 2014 album Lighthouse.

With a uniquely distinguished academic track record, Scott understands the critical role teachers play in shaping their students' futures. He was admitted into Arizona State University's Barrett Honors College and Herberger College of Fine Arts at 14 years old. In 2005, he received Marshall and UK Fulbright scholarships and was ranked by USA Today as one of the top twenty undergraduate seniors in the nation. He then graduated ASU Summa Cum Laude at nineteen, going on to receive a master's degree overseas in England at Royal Holloway, University of London and the Royal College of Music. He was accepted to both Oxford and Cambridge Universities for further graduate study in the UK before redirecting his energies to his music and speaking career.

Scott is married to his wife Christina who travels with him in support of his career. They live in Franklin, TN with their son Christian.

Scott MacIntyre
Featured Video

Current: Success Starts With A Choice

Time 04:45

Scott MacIntyre
Featured Keynote Programs

Success Starts With A Choice

Scott shares the three principles that took him from being a kid dreaming about a music career to being a nationally recognized performer and one of the most inspirational people in the entertainment industry. His story will help your audience overcome any obstacle, find opportunities for advancement, and achieve their goals.

From Hardship to Hope
Living with a Chronic Medical Condition

Blind from birth and a two-time kidney transplant recipient, Scott has never let challenges define him. He will teach your audience to live a fulfilling life amidst adversity and demonstrate why no matter how tough life gets, life is always worth living to the fullest.

Doing the Impossible
The Importance of Education

As a Marshall and Fulbright scholar, Scott recognizes the invaluable role teachers played in preparing him for life. Scott will talk about several teachers that had a dramatic impact on shaping his future, help current teachers engage their students, and show why every student’s limitless potential is worth cultivating.

Scott MacIntyre
Featured Book

By Faith, Not by Sightby Scott MacIntyre

By Faith, Not by Sight

by Scott MacIntyre

 

A moving story of hope, faith, persistence and the power of dreams.

 

A piano prodigy, a nineteen-year-old college grad, a Marshall scholar, and an American Idol finalist. This guy had it made. He could sing.

He could ski blind. What couldn't he do?

Even if you saw him in concert, you might not believe that Scott MacIntyre is blind, and you'd never guess that at nineteen, he faced a diagnosis that rocked his family and nearly took his life.

So how did he do it? How did he overcome the odds?

This is Scott's story, but he'd be the first to tell you that it's not really about him. This is the story of how God used a dedicated family, a selfless acquaintance, hardship, and a host of characters to give him life, faith, determination, and experiences most can only imagine.

Peek behind the scenes to see how he learned to overcome his disability, how he made it in the music industry, how he found the love of his life, and how God taught him that in all things, we can truly achieve our dreams By Faith, Not by Sight.

 

 

 

Scott MacIntyre
Featured Reviews

Scott MacIntyre
Featured Articles & Resources

'American Idol' Performance Series to Launch at Los Angeles Restaurant

Maintaining a full touring schedule, even though his doctors have recommended a kidney transplant within six months, season-eight American Idol alum Scott MacIntyre will make...
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Scott MacIntyre Creates Awareness for Organ Donation With New Album

After the release of his new album earlier this week, American Idol finalist Scott MacIntyre announced he is facing end-stage kidney failure for the second time in his...
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American Idol Finalst Will Release New Album

Latest album by Scott MacIntyre set for September release.The classically trained pianist, singer and songwriter Scott MacIntyre, who was a finalist in the eighth season of...
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Former American Idol Contestant Interview [VIDEO]

Just before the American Idol Finale on May 21 2014, former American Idol contestant, Scott MacIntyre, chatted with reporter, Murtz Jaffer, about what he has been up to since...
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Topics:   Music

Years After Idol, Scott MacIntyre Continues to Inspire

Written by Mark Wilson Four years after competing on American Idol, Scott MacIntyre travels the country, playing the piano, singing, and, in this case, performing for students...
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Topics:   Inspirational

Scott MacIntyre's Christmas Album is a Success

Reviewed by Markos Papadatos Scott MacIntyre, an alum of the reality singing competition "American Idol," released his holiday album "Christmas in Paris," on November 19.It...
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