Kentucky’s Noah Thompson says his 7-month-old is driving his ‘American Idol’ journey

Pushed to audition for “American Idol” by a friend, Noah Thompson has revealed what is driving him as he continues his run on the singing show.

“I recently became a dad. My little boy, he is my strive for all of this,” the 19-year-old from Louisa, Kentucky, said of his 7-month-old son during the “American Idol” episode that aired Monday, March 28.

He received guidance from another country artist, Lauren Alaina, a multi-platinum singer-songwriter who was the runner-up on “American Idol” in 2011.

“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 told Thompson.

Thompson performed “Burning House” by Cam during Hollywood Week on Monday. He did not receive feedback from the judges during this round, but each appeared engaged with his performance.

He advanced to the next round of the show and will perform a duet with a fellow contestant next week.

Thompson sang “Giving You Up” by Kameron Marlowe during his audition round that aired in February. Judge Katy Perry said after his first performance, “You are the American dream.”

Dakota Hayden

Dakota Hayden, a 17-year-old from Fordsville, Kentucky, did not receive television time during Monday’s episode, but he also made it through to the next round.

“Sorry I wasn’t aired tonight BUT I made it to the next round!!” Hayden said on Instagram. “If you thought this round was intense, you won’t believe #Duets!”

Hayden was previously referred to as “top 10 material” by Perry.

“You are exactly what we want to find,” fellow judge Luke Bryan said during Hayden’s audition.

Olivia Faye

Murray, Kentucky, native Olivia Faye received her first “American Idol” screentime on Monday, and she joined Thompson and Hayden in advancing to the next round.

“I made it to the next round!” Faye said on Instagram. “Sooo excited for #Duets.”

Faye said her audition was not aired. She has encouraged her followers to tune in next week during the Duets round.

She told the Murray Ledger & Times she has made lifelong friends out of her “American Idol” experience and has been “blown away by the talent.”

“I really hope that I can gain some new followers and fans of my music out of this, and I hope that I make my home state of Kentucky — and especially my hometown of Murray — very proud,” Faye said. “I’m so happy to represent Kentucky on the show, and it was just an overall amazing experience..”

This story was originally published March 29, 2022 at 9:21 AM with the headline "Kentucky’s Noah Thompson says his 7-month-old is driving his ‘American Idol’ journey."