‘This is Crazy’, Noah Thompson credits fans after winning ‘American Idol’
Noah Thompson changed his look by wearing a suit near the end of the “American Idol” finale Sunday night, when the Louisa resident won the singing competition.
Lawrence County Tourism Commission Chairman Wes Kingsmore presented a handmade wooden plaque shaped like Kentucky during his concert last Tuesday night at the Lawrence County High School football field. BSN photo/Brenda Hardwick
By Lilly Adkins
BSN Associate Editor
LOUISA — Lawrence County’s idol is now America’s idol, too.
Noah Thompson, 20, of Louisa was the winner of the 20th season of “American Idol” following a three-hour finale on ABC-TV Sunday night.
Watch parties were held in multiple counties across the Big Sandy region to show support.
“Buddy, you just won ‘American Idol,’” host Ryan Seacrest told Thompson as he revealed the result of viewer voting.
“How do you feel?” Seacrest asked Thompson.
Singer Kameron Marlowe made an appearance at last Tuesday’s concert with Noah Thompson. BSN photo/Brenda Hardwick
“Oh, my God,” Thompson said. “My heart is beating out of my chest. This is crazy.”
During the finale, each of the top three performed a Bruce Springsteen song, their original song and got the opportunity to perform with some of the special guests.
Thompson sang “I’m on Fire” by Springsteen and then his original song, “One Day Tonight.” He also sang “I’m the Only One,” with Melissa Etheridge and then did an encore performance of “Stay” by Rihanna.
Contestant Leah Marlene sang Springsteen’s “Cover Me” and then her original song, “Flowers.” She also had the opportunity to sing with Katy Perry.
HunterGirl sang Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark” and then performed her original song, “Red Bird.” She also sang a duet with Luke Bryan and then later did an encore of “Riot” by Rascal Flatts.
Midway through the three-hour event, votes were tallied and Marlene was eliminated as she was the one with the least number of votes.
Following Thompson’s performance of “I’m on Fire,” Katy Perry commented that “so many people have fallen in love during that song, using it as their first-dance song.
“I think you just swooped in and grabbed every heart in America by singing that song,” Perry said.
Judge Luke Bryan said, “Being a good, kind, humble person wins.”
Judge Lionel Richie added that “the humble giant wins every time.”
Thompson discussed his victory Monday morning on ABC’s “Good Morning, America.”
“I was just kind of just shocked, you know?” Thompson said in an interview on the program. “Truthfully, I came into the competition not even thinking I would get a golden ticket, so to hear my name at the end, that was amazing.”
Later Monday, Thompson posted a heartfelt thank you to the fans who voted for him.
“Had a hard time making this post because I truly couldn’t find the words to say. I was in complete shock in the moment and I still am and I probably always will be!” Thompson posted on Facebook Monday. “Thank you all for giving me this opportunity, thank you for everyone who voted, thank you guys so much for everything! I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you all so thank you guys so, so, much. I’m looking forward to continuing this journey and seeing where this thing goes. Love all of you all.”
Thompson’s original song, “One Day Tonight,” is No. 1 on iTunes.
Thompson began his journey on American Idol after his friend and co-worker, Arthur Johnson, signed him up for the show’s virtual “Idol Across America” online audition and submitted a video of him singing at a construction site at Addiction Recovery Care, where he was helping to put up sheetrock.
Noah Thompson’s best friend, Arthur Johnson, who signed him up for “American Idol,” played at his concert. BSN photo/Brenda Hardwick
“As a kid, all I thought about was just playing music, being famous,” Thompson said in his initial audition. “But where I’m from, you don’t really get much opportunities. My family they believe in me. The guys I work with believe in me. But I’ve just never believed in myself. I would never have signed myself up for nothing like this. I’ve never had that confidence. It’s pretty cool to know that somebody believes in you more than you believe in yourself.”
Noah Thompson; his grandmother, Karen Preston Thompson; and his son, Walker, during last Tuesday’s parade. BSN photo/Brenda Hardwick
During his homecoming last Tuesday in Louisa, Thompson got to see just how many people in his hometown as well as surrounding areas believed in him.
Thompson also received a few surprises, such as one of his dreams being fulfilled with his name on a sign along the U.S. 23, the Country Music Highway, where a sign honoring many of the singers he looks up to is located.
Many businesses and fans decorated their places with signs welcoming him home and cheering him on. He also had a parade in his honor. During a stage performance for the crowd at the Lawrence County High School football field, he was presented with a proclamation from Louisa Mayor Harold Slone, proclaiming Tuesday as Noah Thompson Day.
While Thompson was performing on stage, he got another surprise when Kameron Marlowe appeared and sang with him. Thompson sang Marlowe’s “Giving You Up” on the first episode of “American Idol” in which he received his golden ticket to Hollywood.
Thousands of people from all over the region and other states came to see Thompson’s homecoming, and when he went on stage, they were all chanting his name.
Lawrence County Tourism Director Wes Kingsmore said during his introduction that Brenda Hardwick, another member of the tourism commiossion and Big Sandy News employee, had folded, stuffed and packed over 1,000 shirts, with the proceeds to go to Thompson.
Deputy Judge-Executive Vince Doty also presented Thompson with a street sign bearing his name, “Noah Thompson Lane.”
“The way you carry yourself, your humbleness, you will always be Lawrence County’s American Idol,” Doty said.
Gov. Andy Beshear spoke via a video during the event and also congratulated Thompson after winning “American Idol.”
“Congratulations to Noah Thompson on being the first Kentuckian to win ‘American Idol,’” Beshear said. “Team Kentucky is so proud of what you have accomplished and how you represented the commonwealth on the national stage.”
U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers also chimed in.
“Congratulations to Eastern Kentucky’s Noah Thompson on winning ‘American Idol,’” Rogers said on Facebook.