Could American Idol Contestant Will Moseley Be Country Music’s Next Big Star?

Moseley had Katy Perry and Luke Bryan out of their seats and Lionel Richie said he was a “star from the first note.”

By

Lauren Jo Black

| Posted on

March 3, 2024

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10:08 pm

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Will Moseley, Katy Perry, Luke Bryan; Photos Courtesy American Idol, ABC

On Sunday, American Idol viewers witnessed the birth of a new country sensation as 23-year-old Will Moseley took center stage with his original track, “Gone For Good.”

Will Moseley Is A Former College Football Player

Radiating confidence, the husky singer stepped up to the stage to introduce himself, letting the judges know that he was from the small town of Hazlehurst, Georgia. He explained that he played college football in Maryville, TN, however, he revealed that he decided to step away from the spot after suffering three concussions in the span of just two seasons.   

“There are times where you take hits and you think something’s not right. Something’s not the same now as it was before. It was tough on me,” he admitted. “Are the hits I’m taking, the risk that I’m taking, worth in 30 years, having those long-lasting effects? There’s no reversing that.”

Will Moseley; Photo by Disney/Eric McCandless
Will Moseley; Photo by Disney/Eric McCandless

He Took To Music After Giving Up Football

After hanging up his football gear for good, Moseley turned to music. 

“Football ended for me and that’s where I really picked up the guitar and started learning to play. It’s been a blessing in disguise,” he admitted. 

He’s Found His Place On The Stage

Moseley has been chasing his country music dreams ever since and has found a new purpose in life. 

“I’ve realized being on stage and singing to people, it’s an adrenaline rush. Really. The feeling that you get when you sing your own song and people sing it back to you is life-changing,” he shared. 

Could He Be Country Music’s Next Big Star?

His performance was truly one of the best Idol viewers have seen all season. The original song was well written and Moseley’s vocals were on point. 

After just a few lines, the judges could be seen scheming and the next thing viewers know, Lionel Richie jumped up out his seat and hollered, “Yes.” The music icon had to abruptly leave the set, however, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan were there to wrap things up. 

Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, Will Moseley; Photo by Disney/Eric McCandless
Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, Will Moseley; Photo by Disney/Eric McCandless

As Moseley continued to perform, Perry and Bryan stood up and waved their arms along to the beat. 

“Are you gone for bad or are you gone for good,?” Bryan jokingly asked Perry as she encouraged him to go sit at the piano and play along with Moseley. 

“They still got it here in Georgia,” Perry shouts as Bryan takes a seat at the piano. 

Luke Bryan, Will Moseley; Photo by Disney/Eric McCandless
Luke Bryan, Will Moseley; Photo by Disney/Eric McCandless

When Moseley’s performance came to an end, the judges Facetimed Richie to make things official. 

“Lionel’s gone for good, but I’m just going to FaceTime him in really quickly,” Perry revealed.

Lionel Richie excitedly shared, “I say Will is a star. He’s a star from the first note.” 

Watch Will Moseley’s American Idol Audition

YouTube video

Perry told him, “Identity. We need it from the very first note. This isn’t a hobby. You’re not just doing this for one more year. You’re going to do this for rest of your life.”

They cast their votes and Will Moseley earned a “yes” from Richie, Perry, and Bryan, sending him to Hollywood. 

A Golden Ticket

After his audition aired, the American Idol contestant shared his excitement on social media, writing, “Well there it is! I got the golden ticket! Thank you @lukebryan and @katyperry for listening to the whole thing! @lionelrichie thank you for the fastest Yes in @americanidol history! See you in Hollywood!”

Fans flocked to the comments to congratulate him on his American Idol journey and some even predicted that Moseley would make it into the Top 3.

American Idol returns next Sunday on ABC.

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Lauren Jo Black

Written by

Lauren Jo Black

Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.