From Construction Worker, To ‘American Idol’ Star: Re-Live Noah Thompson’s ‘Idol’ Journey
The milestone 20th season of American Idol is filled with promising artists, including Noah Thompson, who became an instant fan-favorite…
Noah Thompson, American Idol, ABC
The milestone 20th season of American Idol is filled with promising artists, including Noah Thompson, who became an instant fan-favorite following his memorable Idol audition.
The now 20-year-old Kentucky native and former construction worker auditioned for the show with Kameron Marlowe’s “Giving You Up,” which earned recognition from Marlowe and praise from Lionel Richie.
“You got a real-life, story-telling, badass voice,” Richie told him at the time. “It’s believable. I don’t know what you were expecting… I know you weren’t expecting that. That’s why I said it.”
Throughout the season, Thompson went on to cover songs such as Cam’s “Burning House,” The SteelDrivers’ “Blue Side Of The Mountain” and Jason Isbell’s “Cover Me Up.”
Katy Perry once called Thompson “the American Dream,” while Luke Bryan later declared Thompson “might win the whole competition” after he praised the “magic quality” he has “going on in [his] voice.”
Later in the season, Thompson revealed that his father influenced him to play guitar and pursue a career in music.
“As a child, I was just always around music, my dad gave me his guitar. Dad showed me the simplest of chords and I kind of just took off,” Thompson recalled. “My dad really wanted to be in music, that was his dream also. Kind of the whole point of me being here, for my dad. I wanted to do it almost for the both of us.”
He hopes his success on Idol will create a special bond with his 9-month-son, Walker, who he shares with his longtime girlfriend Angel Dixon.
“[My dad] believes me in obviously, but I never believed in myself, so for me to have made it this far it’s definitely a confidence booster. I want this to be something that me and [my son] Walker could do together too,” he added. “I think he’s going to have a voice on him probably, he’s got a hell of a yelling voice, that’s for sure.”
After his co-worker and friend, Arthur, signed him up to audition for Idol, Thompson admitted that he never thought he’d make it as far as he has in the competition and now strives for the title in hopes to offer his son “a completely different life.”
“Just a few months ago, I could never imagine pursuing something like this, If it weren’t for Arthur, I wouldn’t have ever signed up for this show. I would’ve never had the confidence. It’s pretty cool to know somebody believes in you more than you believe in yourself,” Thompson said.
“I have a little boy, he just turned 7 months. I recently became a Dad, my little boy, he’s my strive for all this,” Thompson added. “Blows my mind that I’m even here, this could give me the opportunity to give my son an entire new life, a better life.”
Thompson has also impressed the Idol judges and America with countrified renditions of pop hits such as Noah Cyrus’ “July,” Rihanna’s “Stay,” Harry Styles’ “Falling,” Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me,” and John Mayer’s “Heartbreak Warfare.”
The standout Idol contestant credits Chris Stapleton, Kameron Marlowe, John Mayer and Neil Young as musical influences.
“I grew up listening to more rock than anything but eventually started loving country music. I just love storytelling music,” Thompson shared.
Throughout the season, Thompson also delivered covers of Carrie Underwood, Fleetwood Mac, Sundy Best, Larry Fleet, Bruce Springsteen, and more before being crowned the winner of American Idol on Sunday, May 22. After being crowned the American Idol, Thompson performed his debut single, “One Day Tonight.”
Re-live Noah Thompson’s American Idol journey below.
Kameron Marlowe – “Giving You Up”
Cam – Burning House
Noah Cyrus – “July”
Rihanna – “Stay”
The Steeldrivers – “Blue Side Of The Mountain”
Harry Styles – “Fallin’”
Jason Isbell/Morgan Wallen – “Cover Me Up”
Ben E. King – “Stand By Me”
John Mayer – “Heartbreak Warfare”
Toy Story Soundtrack “You’ve Got A Friend In Me”
Sundy Best – “Painted Blue”
Fleetwood Mac – “Landslide”
Carrie Underwood – “So Small”
Larry Fleet – “Workin’ Man”
Bruce Springsteen – “I’m On Fire”
Noah Thompson – “One Day Tonight”
Duet with Melissa Etheridge – “I’m The Only One”
Rihanna – “Stay”
Noah Thompson – “One Day Tonight”
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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