WATCH: Huntergirl Dedicates Sugarland Cover To Her Parents On ‘Idol’, Luke Bryan Says It Was ‘Perfect’
Huntergirl once again nailed her performance this week on American Idol, taking the stage to showcase her country vocals with…
Huntergirl; Photo by ABC, American Idol
Huntergirl once again nailed her performance this week on American Idol, taking the stage to showcase her country vocals with a rendition of Sugarland’s “Baby Girl.”
Ahead of her performance, the Tennessee native sat down with American Idol alum Gabby Barrett, who returned to the show to offer the Top 14 contestants advice.
“This mentorship felt like it was sent from Heaven this week, because being the only female country artist in the competition right now, when I saw that Gabby Barrett was coming, I was like praise God,” Huntergirl, a 23-year-old from Winchester, Tennessee, said.
During their initial meeting, Huntergirl praised the “I Hope” singer for being a trailblazer for females in the country music genre.
“I can’t believe I get to meet you. You’ve done so much for all of us girls in country music,” Huntergirl told Barrett, who graciously accepted the compliment.
Of her song choice, Huntergirl revealed, “I’m going to be singing this song to my parents this week. I just want my parents to know that I see everything that they’ve done for me and hopefully I can give that back to them.”
After complimenting Huntergirl’s “classic, old-timey like country voice,” Barrett encouraged Huntergirl to channel her emotions during her performance.
“This is an emotional song for you, like an emotional connection to your parents. So try to really sing what you’re feeling, like you’re in that moment together. I remember doing that with my dad. I think your parents are going to be very proud.”
Upon hearing Huntergirl’s rehearsal of the Sugarland track, Barrett said “I got some chill bumps on that one.”
Donning a white fringe jacket and knee-high cowboy boots, Huntergirl performed the Sugarland tune as her mom and dad watched from the live audience.
“Dear Mom and Dad / Please send money, I’m so broke that it ain’t funny / I don’t need much/ just enough to get me through / Please don’t worry cause I’m alright / I’m playing here at the bar tonight / This time I’m gonna make our dreams come true / Well I love you more than anything in the world / Love, Your baby girl,“ Huntergirl sang on the chorus as the live audience watched on.
“My parents are here tonight, I love you guys,” Huntergirl said as she concluded her performance.
Idol judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan praised her vocal talents and once again predicted that Huntergirl will continue to go far in the competition.
“Aw, you just have a heart of gold and a voice of gold. I just want to see you win,” Perry gushed. ”I think, everyone in America wants to see you win because you’re a legit great person with a great talent and you’re discovering all of the bigness of that talent right now on this stage and I like when you just do those runs, throw your hands up in the air and I see that fringe just go. I just want to see more of that. Next time I get to see you sing, I want ownership up on that stage. I know you got all of it in spades. I’d be so happy if you won this competition.”
“That was from top to bottom, I believe, your best that we’ve seen from you at American Idol, so far,” Bryan said. “It was the perfect song, and it was the perfect… Like I said when you really dug in, in the ending I was hoping for that the whole time and then if you hadn’t that would’ve been the only thing, but you did it and so you just put the cherry on top. Like I said, my favorite performance that I’ve seen you do and you’re on your way. Gabby was staring at her competition by the way.”
“There’s room for us all Luke,” Perry chimed in.
“I love the fact that you came looking the part, sounding the part, and what was that line? ‘Looks like money,’ well you look like money, you sound like money and actually I’m gonna tell you something. Right now, you look like an old pro on that stage. I want you to understand something, we’re so very proud of you and standing next to Gabby, that could be something for the stars.”
Huntergirl’s performance ultimately secured her a place in the Top 11. American Idol returns on Monday, April 25 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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