Zachariah Smith Stuns With ‘Ironic’ Cover On ‘American Idol’
“You’re a powerhouse,” Luke Bryan told the ‘Idol’ standout.
Zachariah Smith; Photo by ABC/Eric McCandless
Zachariah Smith, who worked as a burger flipper in Amory, Mississippi prior to competing on American Idol, sang Alanis Morissette’s seminal hit, “Ironic,” on Sunday’s Top 8 episode.
The singer is a big fan of guest judge Alanis Morissette, so naturally, he was thrilled over the opportunity to sing her biggest hit on Idol. For this performance, Smith decided to focus on his stage presence.
“Alanis Morissette is so freaking cool. I think I love her more now than I did before. With this performance I really want to work on letting loose,” he explained. “I’m starting my body movements at a two and a three and not giving it that full ten that I usually always give.”
He Wanted To ‘Let Loose’
During rehearsals, Smith had the chance to meet Morissette, who worked directly with him on various aspects of his performance.
“I just kind of walkie-talkied God when he started singing the chorus and was like ‘cue the rain,’ perfect and poetic,” Morissette said, referring to the rain that fell during their mentoring session.
She also praised the singer, telling him, “Your voice is beautiful, it’s like an angel.”
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Ahead of his performance, Smith shared his high hopes to do the song “justice.”
“This is free, it’s like a little flowing river and you want to feel a part of that river. This is a big deal,” he said.
Donning an all-white rhinestone ensemble, Zachariah Smith fulfilled his promise to let loose.
“I just love it. We talked [about] opening the body and you were talking about going down the flow. I think you used the river metaphor and I just saw you being in flow enjoying yourself and just letting it move through your body,” Morissette told him. “There was this liquidity and I loved it.”
Judges Praised His Performance
Sheeran complimented Smith’s vocals. “I just, I love that song and I was just thinking you rocked it. I think your voice is super, super powerful and I was captivated through the whole thing. It was great.”
Bryan praised the dynamics of Smith’s performance.
“She said liquidity and Lionel [Richie] has never said that, but you know the main thing Zachariah about that was there was a lot of dynamic in that,” he said. “A lot of times you come out really full speed ahead… You’re a powerhouse and kind of energetic guy, which you really kind of had some tender moments in there and really used the mic. It was a really great performance, great job!”
Memorable Audition
Zachariah Smith auditioned for Idol with John Mellencamp’s hit, “Hurts So Good,” where America immediately fell in love with his voice and story.
Following his audition, Perry told him, “Oh no!” Perry exclaimed. “You’re not flipping no burger!”
Smith couldn’t contain his excitement as he questioned, “I don’t have to flip burgers anymore?” He had a huge smile across his face as the judges laughed.
His audition earned a “yes” from all three judges and he ultimately advanced to Hollywood.
Throughout the competition, he has also covered Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing,” Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now,” Little Richard’s “Lucille,” Foreigner’s “Cold As Ice,” Isaac Brown’s “Body Roll Boys,” Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now,” Bon Jovi’s “Wanted Dead or Alive,” and more.
Ed Sheeran and Alanis Morissette are temporarily replacing Katy Perry and Lionel Richie while they are in England performing as part of the Coronation Celebration for King Charles III.
“I can’t wait to guide you through this stage of the competition and career and yeah this is the first time I’ve done this on American Idol, I can’t wait to take the iconic American Idol stage,” Sheeran previously shared. “Mostly, I’m just looking forward to meeting all of you and talking through life and music and I hope you’re having a great time and I’ll see you very, very soon. Lots of love.”
“I am so excited to be mentoring and hearing your interpretations of my songs. I can’t wait to hear them and surprise I’m going to be guest judging with Luke as well. So I can’t wait to see you,” Morissette previously added.
Perry and Richie made a brief appearance during Idol with a video from Windsor Castle.
American Idol airs every Sunday and Monday at 8/7c via 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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