Local ‘Idol’ hopeful makes it to next round

By Lilly Adkins

BSN Associate Editor

LOUISA — The 20th season of “American Idol” entered Hollywood Week Monday, and local talent Noah Thompson made it to the next round, performing his rendition of ‘Burning House’ by Cam.

Country music star and runner-up on American Idol in 2011, Lauren Alaina, mentored Thompson during Hollywood Week.

Thompson, 19, of Louisa, told her that he had recently become a father.

“I have a little boy, he just turned seven months,” Thompson said. “My little boy, he is my strive for all of this. Blows my mind that I’m even here. This could give me the opportunity to give my son an entire new life, a better life.”

“When you go out there, think about what you’re doing for him and for your all’s future and what could come of it,” Alaina said.

Thompson told the judges during his audition that his friend, Arthur Johnson, was the one who signed him up for the show.

Thompson sang “Giving You Up,” by Kameron Marlowe during his audition. After he finished, judge Luke Bryan asked him to sing it again, but to be a little more deliberate with the lyrics.

All three judges were impressed with his audition and gave him a golden ticket to Hollywood. Judge Katie Perry thanked Johnson for seeing Thompson better than he could see himself.

After making it through Hollywood Week’s first round, Thompson posted on social media, “I made it to the next round! If you thought this round was intense, you won’t believe #Duets! Tune in next Sunday and Monday to @AmericanIdol to see who makes it out of #HollywoodWeek and into the #Top24! Wish me luck!! #americanidol.”