Watch NC teen win over the ‘American Idol’ judges. ‘I’ve dreamed about this moment’
A North Carolina teenager belted out a country song — and won over the judges on “American Idol.”
“I was literally in shock, and I still am in shock,” high school sophomore Ryleigh Bunch said, according to The News Reporter. “I’ve dreamed about this moment ever since I was a little girl. Words can’t even explain.”
But as interested as celebrity judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie were in listening to the teen’s singing voice, they also wanted to know about her hometown, according to video from the audition that aired Sunday, March 13.
Ryleigh is from Whiteville, a town that the judges asked her to repeat a few times to make sure they understood through her accent . The town of about 5,000 people is in Columbus County, roughly 115 miles south of Raleigh.
“Living here locally, it’s the most rewarding thing,” Ryleigh told WECT. “I wouldn’t want to grow up anywhere else. Don’t let it hold you back. There’s so many things we can take from where we’re from, and lessons we learn and go on somewhere and make good things.”
The 16-year-old, whose stage name is Ryleigh Madison, traded her small town for Nashville when she auditioned for “American Idol.” In video from her performance, she channeled one of the show’s previous contestants, country music star Gabby Barrett, who she called an inspiration.
“She sings Gabby Barrett’s ‘The Good Ones’ with such an authentic Southern accent, it has Katy talkin’ country,” American Idol said on its YouTube page.
Bryan and Richie told the teen they sensed her nervousness, and Perry encouraged her to dial back her accent a bit in her singing.
“I’m missing words,” Perry said. “But I love it. I don’t want you to get totally rid of it.”
Ultimately, Perry gave her a “yes” vote, saying: “I caught the country.” Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie agreed, sending the teen to Hollywood for the next round of competition.
This story was originally published March 14, 2022 at 9:31 AM with the headline "Watch NC teen win over the ‘American Idol’ judges. ‘I’ve dreamed about this moment’."
