Thompson keeps climbing up ‘American Idol’ ladder

Noah Thompson took a photo with Mickey Mouse while enjoying Disneyland and before his Disney Week performance of “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” which he dedicated to his best friend, Arthur Johnson, who just happened to show up while he was practicing.

The staff and residents of The Jordan Center in Louisa showed their love and support for hometown “American Idol” contestant Noah Thompson Friday by displaying handmade signs.

By Lilly Adkins

Members of the Lawrence County High School Class of 2022 voted Sunday for LCHS graduate Noah Thompson on “American Idol” as they were on their way back home from their senior trip in Florida.

BSN Associate Editor

LOUISA —The finale for “American Idol” is scheduled for May 22, and everyone is hopeful that Lawrence County’s Noah Thompson will win it all.

As of Sunday, Thompson was in the top seven after his Disney Night performance of “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” from “Toy Story,” which was dedicated to his best friend, Arthur Johnson, who signed him up for the competition.

Thompson was surprised at Disneyland by his girlfriend, Angel Dickson, and his baby, Walker, as well as Johnson, who showed up as he practiced with mentor Derek Hough.

“Noah, I think that was my favorite song you’ve sang besides your Rihanna song,” judge Katie Perry said about his performance of “Stay.”

“You reinvented that,” she said.

Judge Luke Bryan told Thompson that his vocal choices and movements showcased abilities he had not presented before.

“If you can, on the fly, put your little sparkle on that song, the sky is the limit on what you can do throughout your whole career,” Bryan said.

Judge Lionel Richie said Thompson’s song choice and attitude on stage is “perfect.”

“This is all surreal, you guys blow my mind,” Thompson said in a Tweet. “Thank you, guys, so much, from the bottom of my heart. I love you all! Thank you for voting, thank you for everything. Y’all mean the world to me.”