ABC’s American Idol returned on Monday evening (April 18) with the results from America’s vote and Huntergirl earned a spot in the Top 10.
Donning a black leather fringe jacket over a sparkly brown dress, Huntergirl celebrated the good news with a performance of Miranda Lambert’s “Vice.” Released in 2016, “Vice” served as the lead single off Lambert’s The Weight of These Wings album and was her first new release following her highly publicized divorce.
“Another vice, another call/ Another bed I shouldn’t crawl out of/ At 7 AM with shoes in my hand/ Said I wouldn’t do it, but I did it again/ And I know I’ll be back tomorrow night,” she sang alongside a live band.
Huntergirl has been a standout contestant throughout the 20th season of American Idol. 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.”
For her Top 20 performance, Huntergirl impressed the judges and viewers alike with an original track called “Heartbreak Down,” which is featured on Huntergirl’s 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.”
Throughout the season, Huntergirl has openly spoken about working with Veterans in music therapy. She explained how she helps them overcome PTSD through music and songwriting.
“Songwriting is a huge part of my life,” the Tennessee native and Middle Tennessee State University alum shared and promised to dedicate her life to singing songs for people who need to hear them.
Following the announcement of the Top 10, the Idol judges had the opportunity to save four contestants who didn’t make the cut, including Mike Parker, Allegra Miles, Tristen Gressett, and Jay.
The remaining 14 contestants will receive advice from Idol alum Gabby Barrett when American Idol returns on Sunday, April 24.
