Kentucky's Noah Thompson lands in Top 11 on 'American Idol.' Here's how to watch
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
The only remaining Kentucky contestant on ABC's "American Idol" sang "Stand By Me" (Ben E. King) during the televised competition Sunday — and it worked.
Fans voted Noah Thompson, a 19-year-old construction worker from Louisa, Kentucky, into the Top 11 contestants who are vying for the title of "American Idol."
Although Thompson originally planned to perform Chris Stapleton's "Nobody to Blame," during Sunday's competition, he was advised against the song choice during a preshow coaching session with "American Idol" alum Gabby Barrett.
Barrett, who finished third on the 16th season of the show and had a platinum record from her single titled "I Hope," told Thompson to change direction and perform a song with which he felt more of a connection.
Ultimately he settled on "Stand By Me" which Thompson says his co-workers in Louisa ask him to sing on the job site. The American Idol judges, who include Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and Katy Perry agreed with Thompson's choice saying it showcased the scope of his talent.
“Noah, listen, no matter if you’re singing a Rihanna song or ‘Stand By Me,’ it’s always that Kentucky, country kid, authentic sound and tone to your voice. So, I can always tell that it’s you Noah, which is fantastic,” Perry said. 'You’re staying true to yourself, but you’re also branching out a little bit. I’ve spent a little time in Kentucky these past few weeks and I got to tell you, you are a big star there. My housekeeper, Michelle, is voting for you.”
More: Thriller starring Orlando Bloom, Andie MacDowell being filmed in Kentucky. What to know
Early this month, Perry visited her financé, actor Orlando Bloom, with their daughter Daisy, while he films "Red Right Hand" in the Bluegrass state. The feature film also stars Andie McDowell and
Luke Bryan also encouraged Thompson to hold tight to his Kentucky roots.
“Let me relieve you of a little of anxiety the rest of your life,” Bryan said. “The deal is man, your voice is just so real and unique to you. No matter what you go with as a song for the rest of your life, your delivery’s going to be real, It’s going to be authentic. It’s going to be all the stuff that you were born and raised coming through you and you’re going to be sounding that way. Get up there and just sing like you sing and it’s always going to work out for you.”
Thompson asks fans to continue to support him and tune in and vote Monday at 8 p.m. as "American Idol" continues on ABC.
Reach Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com or Twitter @kirbylouisville.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky's Noah Thompson lands in the Top 11 on 'American Idol'
