12 Fun Facts About ‘American Idol’ Contestant Huntergirl
From the moment American Idol viewers first met Huntergirl, it was clear that she was going to go far in…
Huntergirl; Photo Courtesy American Idol
From the moment American Idol viewers first met Huntergirl, it was clear that she was going to go far in the competition. From her undeniable country vocals to her charming personality, Huntergirl has everything it takes to become the next American Idol champion.
The Tennessee native has been a standout contestant throughout the 20th season of the show. After she auditioned with a cover of Rascal Flatts’ “Riot,” Huntergirl was deemed a “new age Miranda Lambert” by Luke Bryan.
Huntergirl was the first contestant of the season to earn the coveted Platinum ticket and has previously covered songs like Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams,” Ashley McBryde’s “Girl Goin’ Nowhere,” and Rascal Flatts’ “Banjo,” and Miranda Lambert’s “Vice.”
For her Top 20 performance, Huntergirl impressed the judges and viewers alike with an original track called “Heartbreak Down,” which is featured on her recently released EP, One Day.
The judges praised her songwriting skills and Bryan even told her that he felt like he was listening to “the dadgum country radio” during her performance.
As Huntergirl continues her American Idol journey, here are 12 fun facts about the standout contestant.
Made American Idol History
Huntergirl is the first-ever recipient of Idol’s newly-introduced Platinum ticket, which is a fun twist to the 20th Season of Idol.
She’s Performed On Nashville’s Lower Broadway
In addition to performing Miranda Lambert’s “Bluebird” at Luke Bryan’s 32 Bridge in Downtown Nashville during the first episode of American Idol, Huntergirl has previously played at some of Nashville’s most famous Honkytonks, including Tootsies and Rippy’s.
Huntergirl Is Not Her Real Name
Huntergirl is only a stage name. Her real name is actually Hunter Wolkonowski.
She Has A Bachelor’s Degree
She graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management, with a focus on the recording industry.
Born And Raised In The Volunteer State
The 23-year-old was born and raised in Winchester, Tennessee. After graduating from high school, Huntergirl moved to Music City to pursue her dreams of becoming a country music artist.
Has Been Performing For More Than Two Decades
Huntergirl has been performing in her grandfather’s Church since she was just three years old and has been writing music since she was nine years old.
She’s No Stranger To The Stage
Before rising to fame on American Idol, Huntergirl has opened for country superstars such as Florida Georgia Line, Alan Jackson, Sara Evans, Charlie Daniels, Old Dominion, Kane Brown, Trace Adkins, and more.
She Has Been Recognized For Her Songwriting Talent
For two consecutive years, in 2016 and 2017, Huntergirl took home the NSAI Songwriters contest award. She has also won “Nash Next.”
Idol Isn’t The First Competition She’s Competed In
Prior to Idol, Huntergirl competed in the Texaco Country Showdown at the age of fifteen and took home the title in 2014.
Philanthropy Is A Priority
Huntergirl is passionate about working with veterans and continues to stay involved with organizations such as Freedom Sings USA, Operation Song, Middle Tennessee State University, Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veteran Center, and Soldier’s Child.
According to her website, “she works with these music therapy organizations to help transform veterans stories into songs.”
“The time I spend working with veterans and telling their stories through song is unlike anything I have ever experienced,” she previously shared. “We travel to locations across the United States and write with veterans all across the country with the hope to touch as many lives as possible through the magic of music.”
A True Outdoorswoman
Some of Huntergirl’s favorite things to do include hiking, cycling, and being by the water.
Has Music Of Her Own
Aside from covering some of her favorite artists’ songs, she also has shared her own original material. Huntergirl recently released her debut EP, One Day, which features the self-penned tune, “Heartbreak Down.”
Fans can follow Huntergirl on Instagram HERE.
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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