WATCH: ‘American Idol’ Judge Predicts Huntergirl Could ‘Win It’ If She ‘Plays Her Cards Right’
Since earning the first Platinum Ticket of American Idol’s milestone Season 20, Huntergirl has gone on to impress the judges…
Huntergirl; Photo by American Idol, ABC
Since earning the first Platinum Ticket of American Idol’s milestone Season 20, Huntergirl has gone on to impress the judges time and time again and her Showstopper Round performance was no different.
This round found the show narrowing down the 59 remaining contestants to officially name the Top 24. This marked the first time the contestants had the opportunity to perform alongside a full and in front of a live audience.
Following their performances, the contestants appeared in front of the judges for the “final judgment” as they learned their fate regarding the Top 24.
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For this round, Huntergirl, who Luke Bryan once compared to Miranda Lambert, chose to perform Ashley McBryde’s “Girl Goin’ Nowhere.”
Her distinctive vocals gave Idol judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie goosebumps.
“She’s the best country I’ve heard,” Luke Bryan gushed during her performance.
Huntergirl admitted that her Idol journey has been an eye-opening experience for her.
“You know there were so many times that I wanted to give up,” she tearfully shared. “Not thinking I was good enough and someone told me I was. It meant a lot. I wouldn’t be here if people didn’t believe in me. And I thank God on American Idol, I’m finally feeling like I’m good enough.”
When it was time for her “final judgment,” Huntergirl got good news.
“You just have all the magic, I can feel one million percent confident and Lionel can too and Katy can too. Katy what’d you say?” Bryan said.
“If she plays her cards right, she could win it,” Perry shared, before the contestant gushed, “I love you Katy.”
“Guess what? It’s up to America now, because you are officially in the Top 24,” Bryan revealed.
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“Oh my God, I’m so excited, thank y’all so much,” HunterGirl shouted.
“All the times I thought about quitting, I’m so glad I didn’t” she added. “It feels good after wanting to do music my entire life, this feels crazy.”
American Idol returns to ABC next week with the Top 24.
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.
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