Construction Worker To Superstar: Noah Thompson Confidentally Works the ‘Idol’ Stage With Carrie Underwood Cover
Noah Thompson earned a standing ovation from the American Idol judges following a cover of the Carrie Underwood ballad “So…
Noah Thompson; Photo by ABC, American Idol
Noah Thompson earned a standing ovation from the American Idol judges following a cover of the Carrie Underwood ballad “So Small” on Sunday evening (May 15).
Ahead of his performance of the chart-topping hit, Thompson visited with American Idol alum and country superstar Carrie Underwood via video chat.
Their conversation brought Underwood to tears as she admitted she had a lot in common with the Kentucky native due to their similar upbringings.
“I feel like there’s a lot of things I can relate to with that because I grew up in a tiny town,” she shared.
As she wiped tears away, Underwood went on to reflect on her American Idol journey.
“I do feel like this show was created for people like me and for people like Noah who didn’t know how to dream that big but knew they wanted to do something. It’s a beautiful thing,” she said. “I think back…that’s the decision that changed my entire life. I have no idea where I’d be and to see contestants get every opportunity they’ve ever wanted is just magical.”
After performing in his hotel room last week, the former construction worker made his return to the Idol stage with a confident performance that showcased his newfound stage presence.
He earned a standing ovation and compliments from the judges.
“You know what Noah that fascinates me? What makes you so appealing is that you’re real. You’re actually a real person,” Lionel Richie praised. “On top of that, you have the ability to tell stories. You can tell stories, you’re believable. But more importantly, I want you to understand something. There’s a point in life, it happens to all us, where we sit there and go, ‘wow, is this really happening to me?’ Noah, this is really happening to you.”
Katy Perry joked that his time in his hotel room worked in his favor, telling him: “I don’t know what you found between those two ferns for a whole week, but it was good. I have never seen you move from that stage to this stage.”
She encouraged him to connect with the fans. “Listen, you’ve got another opportunity to do that tonight. Keep doing it. It’s working in your favor. People are obsessed with you, they want to touch you. Noah, reach out and touch ‘em.”
Luke then gave him a lesson on how to reach out and touch the fans in the audience as he left
the judges’ panel and walked over to the stage. He then took Thompson’s hand and reached out to adoring fans who were watching from the front row.
“Dang, that felt pretty good,” Thompson laughed.
“Luke is breaking protocol all over the place,” host Ryan Seacrest joked.
“So Small” was written by Underwood alongside Hillary Lindsey and Luke Laird. The ballad was released in 2007 as the lead single from her Carnival Ride album and went on to become her fourth chart-topping single.
Later in the show, Noah Thompson returned to the stage for a performance of Larry Fleet’s “Working Man.”
Noah Thompson ultimately earned enough votes to secure a spot in the Top 3 alongside Huntergirl and Leah Marlene. The trio will advance to the finale, which will air on Sunday, May 22.
Listen to “One Day Tonight,” Noah Thompson’s debut single, 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.
You may also like
Country Next
Playlist
On Repeat
Get the latest country music news delivered straight to your inbox.
