I Can Only Imagine: History vs. Hollywood

The I Can Only Imagine true story is compared to the Bart Millard movie about the creation of his band Mercy Me and his song I Can Only Imagine. Learn about the real Bart Millard, including his childhood, and his father Arthur Millard's battle with cancer. Is Bart Millard's girlfriend Shannon based on his real-life wife? Did his mother Adele Millard really leave when he was young? Did his father Arthur break a plate over his head? Was Amy Grant going to sing his song I Can Only Imagine as her own? Discover the true story behind the Mercy Me movie as we fact check the characters and the scenes. Further explore the I Can Only Imagine true story and the Mercy Me movie's historical accuracy by reading our fact check article 'I Can Only Imagine: History vs. Hollywood': https://www.historyvshollywood.com/reelfaces/i-can-only-imagine/

Added 26 Jul 2026