Mississippi teen puts country spin on Disney songs, securing spot in ‘American Idol’ finale
A teenager from Amory, Mississippi, has continuously impressed “American Idol” judges with his growth, song choice and ability to get “nasty” in his vocal storytelling.
Now, 18-year-old Colin Stough has secured a spot in the Top 3 on next week’s finale and could win the entire competition.
Stough put a gritty, country twist on Disney songs Sunday night for Disney Night on “Idol,” which airs on ABC.
He sang “Real Gone” from “Cars!” and wowed Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie with his emotional cover of “Nobody Knows” from “Pete’s Dragon.”
All three judges stood to their feet as the lights went up and the audience screamed and cheered. Perry told Stough the performance was so captivating that she felt you could hear a pin drop.
“Wow, wow, wow. I feel like you were giving everybody their own special performance,” Katy Perry said. “You drew us so in.”
A few weeks ago, Perry told Stough he changed the course of his life when he chose to sing a cover of “Dancing On My Own” by Robyn, straying from his country roots. She told Stough his performance of “Nobody Knows” did the same thing.
“You are just showing us so many different things ... you are growing before our own eyes,” she said.
Sunday night was bittersweet for Mississippi, as Amory native Zachariah Smith was sent home by America. The singer was compared to pop legends and Alanis Morissette told him he had the voice of an angel.
Colin Stough will face off with Megan Danielle and Iam Tongi in the “American Idol” Season 21 finale at 7 p.m. central on Sunday, May 21.
This story was originally published May 15, 2023 at 8:49 AM.
