After more than a decade of harmonizing together, Mississippi-based country trio Chapel Hart announced a hiatus in late August 2025, paving the way for a new musical chapter as members Devynn Hart and Trea Swindle formed the duo Magnolia Rising.
The original trio, consisting of sisters Danica and Devynn Hart along with their cousin Trea Swindle, had built a substantial following since their unanimous Golden Buzzer performance on America’s Got Talent in 2022, where they ultimately finished fifth in the competition.
Chapel Hart’s journey to prominence wasn’t overnight; the group independently released music for years before their AGT breakthrough propelled them to wider recognition.
Behind every overnight success is a trail of years spent grinding in the shadows.
Their modern takes on country classics, including Dolly Parton’s “You Can Have Him, Jolene” and Loretta Lynn’s “Fist City,” earned praise from the original artists themselves and helped the trio amass tens of millions of streams and over 100,000 monthly listeners.
The decision to pause came after internal tensions surfaced in mid-2025, when Danica Hart publicly alleged physical violence and abuse within the group dynamic.
Though these social media posts were later deleted, they revealed significant strain in the once-harmonious family act.
Despite framing the announcement as “pressing pause” rather than a permanent split, the trio confirmed they would honor all previously scheduled performances, including upcoming shows in Stockbridge, GA and Wolverhampton, UK.
“This isn’t goodbye, just a new chapter,” the group stated in their social media announcement, requesting fan support as they initiated individual creative journeys.
Shortly after the hiatus announcement, Devynn Hart and Trea Swindle revealed their new musical identity as Magnolia Rising, launching dedicated social media channels under the handle magnoliarisingofficial.
Their debut message to fans struck a resilient tone: “We’ve walked through fire and came out stronger,” suggesting a determination to move forward despite the recent turbulence.
While Danica Hart has yet to announce her formal solo plans, the separation marks a significant shift for fans who had followed Chapel Hart through their two albums, including 2023’s “Glory Days” and their recent 2024 holiday collection, “Hartfelt Family Christmas.”
Magnolia Rising has indicated plans to explore sync deals for their music, potentially opening a lucrative revenue stream through placement in film and television productions.
Following the announcement, Danica expressed her dissatisfaction with management’s portrayal of the split as solely her decision, indicating deeper complexities behind the group’s separation.
The duo has already begun leveraging streaming strategies to rebuild their audience base, focusing particularly on playlist pitching and community engagement across multiple platforms.
