Noah Thompson’s Fate On ‘American Idol’ Revealed Following Heartfelt Tribute To His Grandmother
In honor of Mother’s Day, the Top 7 American Idol contestants had the chance to take the stage to perform…
Noah Thompson; Photo via American Idol
In honor of Mother’s Day, the Top 7 American Idol contestants had the chance to take the stage to perform a song in honor of their mothers and Noah Thompson delivered a performance of Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” dedicated to his Grandma, Karen, who raised him.
“I am beyond proud of Noah, from the time he was little he always loved music, I actually thought he was going to be a drummer, but kind of glad he took to the guitar,” Thompson’s Grandma shared.
The 20-year-old contestant then explained that his Grandmother is like a mother to him.
“My Grandma basically raised me, my parents had divorced, and my dad just felt that it was better for me to be with my grandma,” Thompson revealed.
His grandmother had the opportunity to visit Thompson in California and was thrilled over the chance to visit the area for the first time ever.
“This is a heck of a way to spend Mother’s Day, this is the first time I’ve been here too, so I wanted us to see this together,” Thompson said, before Karen gushed, “It is gorgeous!”
“Being a parent ain’t easy at all and she’s a wonderful mom,” Thompson admitted.
Karen went on to recall Thompson’s childhood years and how her great-grandson reminds her of him.
“I can still see that little three-year-old, dropping you off at school, I always felt so grateful, made my life better and every single way and I look at him and I’m like ‘oh my gosh!,’” his Grandma shared, referencing Thompson’s 1-year-old son, Walker.
Thompson then shared that his son is a “big part of her life.”
“She loves to watch him as much as she can. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you truthfully, I wouldn’t be the dad that I am if it wasn’t for you,” Thompson said. “It means the world to me that you’re here, so this week I’m singing ‘Landslide.’”
The Kentucky native and former construction worker also reflected on a time that he and his Grandma listened to the Fleetwood Mac hit while driving in his hometown.
“Remember that one time, we were just driving down the road listening to that song, and you started busting out crying just listening,” Thompson explained. “With this performance, I just hope to show my Grandma how much she means to me.”
“I’m so happy I get to sing this song for you, I love you so much, you mean the world to me,” Thompson said. “I hope to make my Grandma cry again.”
Performing live from his California hotel room, Thompson dedicated a special performance of Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” to his Grandma, Karen.
Following his cover of the rock hit, Idol judges gushed over his talents as they dubbed the performance one of his best yet.
“Noah, when you go to record your first record, you probably need to build a mobile studio in that room,” Luke Bryan said. ”The right vibes are happening in there. Like I said you sound great, I was telling Katy and whatever you got going on man, you look like a star in that room so great job.”
“I don’t know what has happened here, but I’m not going to wish you any bad luck, but you know when you’re sick sounding a lot better,” Lionel Richie said. ”I mean, when I say that, the believability… the growl in your voice, that texture that’s called selling man. You nailed it! I love it.”
“I think adrenaline took over Noah, and I think that you had to surrender and you just were like I got to do the best I can and you did THE BEST that you have ever done tonight in our opinion,” Katy Perry exclaimed.
Noah Thompson ultimately earned a spot in the Top 5 and will soon be mentored by American Idol alum and country superstar, Carrie Underwood.
American Idol airs on Sundays and Mondays at 8/7c on ABC.
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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