Luke Bryan Reunites With Cancer Survivor on ‘American Idol’ Set 11 Years After Granting Make-A-Wish

At 16 years old, Ashley Persson was diagnosed with Chondrosarcoma, a rare form of cancer that developed in the cartilage cells of her sinuses. While undergoing treatment, she was given the opportunity to meet Luke Bryan back in 2015 as part of Make-A-Wish and now, over a decade later, she got to reunite with the country star in a sweet, full-circle moment.

The Make-A-Wish Alum was recently invited to attend a live taping of Season 24 of American Idol as part of the World Wish Month campaign in April. This celebratory month aims to recognize the incredible role of WishMakers like the country star, whose generosity has created life-changing moments for hundreds of kids over the years.

When Ashley first met Bryan, it was at one of his concerts in Santa Clara, CA at Levi’s Stadium. All these years later she is at a very different place in life, now being cancer-free and working at Clemson University, but she will never forget the impact that Bryan made on her so long ago.

She recalls wanting to use her wish to meet the Georgia native because his music had become such a big part of her life at the time. It was playing through the speakers in the car and was always the soundtrack to happy family memories.

“You’re kind of given this opportunity and you have a lot going on at the time. So you’re focusing on a lot of different things and navigating, okay, I have this opportunity to do something special and unique. What does that look like?” she explained. “And at that time I had been really immersed in listening to Luke Bryan…He was someone who I looked up to and was inspired by who he was to the people around him. And so I decided that would be a fun opportunity or something to ask for. And that’s the wish that was granted for me.”

Make-A-Wish and Luke Bryan went above and beyond to make this a memorable experience for Ashley, starting from the moment she and her family were picked up from their house in a limo and driven down to Santa Clara.

“It was about a three or four day experience. We got picked up in a limo from my house, which I think was crazy in high school. I’m like, this is the coolest thing ever. My name was in the front window and my whole family hopped in. And from the start to finish of the entire experience, we were just treated so well and so special.”

Before the concert, they got to experience Bryan’s true southern charm up close during a meet and greet. In that moment she learned what a kind and genuine person was behind the country star she was about to see light up the stage in front of thousands of screaming fans.

“I’ll never forget, we walked in and it was the meet and greet in the back. And the first two words that Luke Bryan said to me were, ‘Hey, darling.’ And I’m not from the south, so I enjoyed that very much. And he was so kind and so genuine and so sweet and spent a good amount of time talking to me and my family and just asking about my experience. And it was really special.”

The impact that Bryan had on her even during such a short meeting has never faded. In fact, the older she gets, the more she realizes just how generous it was of him to put his busy schedule on hold for her and so many other kids who are a part of the Make-A-Wish family.

“You don’t have to say yes when you’re in a position like that, but I think saying yes to that many opportunities is really special and really unique and shows that he values giving back and supporting people. At the end of the day, everyone is a human being. We’ve all gone through something or are navigating something,” she reflected. “So creating those spaces to connect with people is really special. And I think that he is a very unique and kind individual for doing so. It was really impactful for my life. I can’t even imagine the 50 plus others whose life it impacted.”

On Monday night, Ashley was surprised once again with the chance to interact with Bryan, but this time it wasn’t at one of his concerts, it was on set of the live taping of American Idol. The “Word On The Street” singer serves as a judge on the singing completion series alongside Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood. The pair got to catch up and reflect on the powerful work of Make-A-Wish.

“I kind of wake up just being a regular everyday guy and a lot of times I don’t realize all of the stuff that I’ve been able to achieve. So when we can have those moments like that, that really motivate or put her in a good mood or any Make-A-Wish kid, it’s really amazing to be in that scenario and that position I’ve always cherished it. I mean, I’ve always felt like it’s just a little way to give back and give smiles and pay things forward.”

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Bryan went on to say that it has been “overwhelmingly fulfilling” to be a WishMaker through the years and getting to bring a moment of joy to so many kids who are enduring challenges at such a young age.

“I mean, they’re going through rough days, tough days. And so the fact that we have the ability to maybe flip the narrative and let them have a great day out on the road or coming backstage is something I’ve always really cherished…And there’s many ways to get involved. You don’t have to obviously be a celebrity. You can do grassroots stuff or behind the scenes, but it’s certainly fulfilling work. And this is the perfect example when I’m sitting here 11 years, almost 12 years later with Ashley.”

Once Bryan made his way back to set, Ashley admitted that she was truly surprised to meet him for a second time. She also noted that he was exactly the same “kind,” “genuine” and “authentic” person that she remembered him being back in 2015.

“As surprising as it was, it was so nice to just connect with another human who has done so many kind things for so many people. I think being a WishMaker is something that’s so unique and so special and really just an opportunity to lean in and give back in any way, shape or form.”

She ended the special moment by encouraging anyone to “lean in” and “say yes” to supporting Make-A-Wish.

“The impact that it can have is truly monumental and it’s something that really sticks with us forever. Something I’ll never forget,” she added.