Dakota Hayden Auditions For ‘American Idol’ – Again!
He returns to social media to answer the question “Idol” fans have been asking.
Dakota Hayden; Photos by ABC, American Idol
Dakota Hayden, a fan-favorite contestant from American Idol from Season 20 is returning for Season 21 and he earned a Golden Ticket to Hollywood.
Hayden’s latest audition did not air but the singer/songwriter confirmed that he auditioned once again and earned the coveted Golden Ticket.
“Many have asked, and “YES” I went back to @AmericanIdol, and I got a Golden Ticket! Unfortunately, my audition wasn’t shown this year, but Hollywood Week starts this week on Sunday AND Monday on @ABCNetwork,” he wrote on Twitter alongside several photos from his audition. “Stay tuned as the competition heats up! Thanks for all the support!”
His Latest Audition Did Not Air
Dakota Hayden is from the small town of Fordsville, Kentucky (population 500). He was born and raised in the country on a 36-acre farm, where he and his family raise cattle, deer, turkey and more. The aspiring singer and his family often hunt and fish on their farm as well.
At the age of 17, he auditioned for American Idol with a cover of Luke Combs’ “When It Rains It Pours.” Idol judges Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and Katy Perry praised his “pure country” vocals and dubbed him “top 10 material.”
“When you saw us up here smiling the whole time, it was not because we were laughing at you, we were thinking to ourselves, ‘we found somebody here,’” Richie shared. “First of all, you’re pure country. Believable as heck, It’s believable and I love that your pureness.”
Top 10 Material
Richie went on to say, “You’re an awe shucks kind of guy, and it translates and even though you’re not Luke’s [Bryan] son, I’d like to kind of that’s what I’m thinking right now. Your attitude and personality kind of reminds me of my man down there.”
Perry then gushed over his authenticity. “You are country from your hat to your boots. I think that you are raw and young,” Perry said. “Honestly, I think you’re top 10 material.”
The “Country On” singer also admitted he thought Hayden is worthy of the Top 10.
“I think you’re in the right place, thank you for driving your butt down from Fordsville, Kentucky. Call your mama, your daddy, your grandma, your auntie, your uncle, call your church, call your preacher, because you are exactly what we want to find,” Bryan added. “And Katy is right. I think you’re going to really snip the Top 10.”
After a successful audition, he moved on to Hollywood week and survived the Genre Challenge alongside Taylor Fagins, Lady K, Betty Maxwell, Elli Rowe, Sam Moss, Haley Slaton and Allegra Miles. Several episodes later, Hayden delivered a cover of Parker McCollum’s “Pretty Heart,” which marked his final solo performance on the show.
The judges couldn’t decide if they should send Dakota Hayden or Dan Marshall through to the Top 24, so they challenged the two contestants to a sing-off during their final judgement. Hayden opted to cover Kane Brown’s “Heaven,” while Marshall took on Chris Stapleton’s “What Are You Listening To?” After their sing-off, the Idol judges revealed their fate.
Ultimately, Marshall advanced to the Top 24, while Hayden was sent home from the competition.
“I may not have made it to the Top 24 but I’ve grown in ways I never thought possible! You literally haven’t heard 👂 the last of me yet! 🎶” Hayden shared after his fate was revealed.
Luke Bryan Is One Of His Biggest Influences
Dakota Hayden credits Idol judge Luke Bryan as one of his biggest inspirations and admitted that getting to meet Bryan was a pivotal moment of his career.
“I’ve been listening to him for as long as I can remember. I’ve always looked up to him and hear him on the radio and his singing intertwines with my life and being able to sing and perform and meet him is life-changing,” Hayden said.
Since departing from Idol in 2022, Hayden has graduated from high school and released original music.
The standout Idol contestant also keeps his followers up-to-date on social media, where he often shares covers of popular country tunes. See some of his covers below.
Jason Aldean’s “The Truth”
Morgan Wallen’s “Man Made A Bar”
Jason Isbell’s “Cover Me Up”
Zac Brown Band’s “Colder Weather”
Thomas Rhett’s “Die A Happy Man”
Parker McCollum’s “Stoned”
Blake Shelton’s “Austin”
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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