On the morning after the American Idol finale (Read our Recap), season 20 winner Noah Thompson visited Good Morning America and Live with Kelly and Ryan. Runner-up HunterGirl joined the champ for an interview at GMA. Noah performed his chart-topping winners single “One Day Tonight” on Live.
On GMA, Noah described the winning moment on stage with Ryan Seacrest and HunterGirl: “I was kinda just shocked,” he said. “Truthfully, I came into this competition thinking that I wasn’t even going to get a golden ticket…hearing my name at the end. It was amazing.”
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Noah would not have even auditioned for American Idol if it weren’t for his friend Arthur back in Louisa, Kentucky encouraging him. “I’m going to go back home and give him a big ole hug! Thank him for all this, because Arthur’s the one who believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.”
Hunter spoke to the pressures of competing on Idol. “It’s nerve wracking right before I get up on stage,” she explained. “But when I get in that zone, I just want to have a good time.” She added, “It’s been a nerve wracking experience…but I’ve had a blast just getting to be here.”
She admits that meeting Carrie Underwood in Las Vegas last week, when the American Idol season 4 winner mentored the Top 5, was another pinch-me moment.
Hunter said, “This year’s probably been the craziest and best year of my life. I’m just happy that I got to experience it.”
Noah and Hunter’s singles are sitting at No 1 and 2, respectively on the overall iTunes chart
Both Noah and Hunter anticipate going back home for a little while to take time to process their Idol experience. Right now, Noah’s winner’s single “One Day Tonight” is No 1 on the overall iTunes chart, while HunterGirl’s “Red Bird” is No. 2. Third place finisher, Leah Marlene’s “Flowers” sits at No. 6.
In the next hour, Noah dropped by Live with Ryan and Kelly to chat about all things American Idol. It was only last night (May 22) when host Ryan Seacrest declared Noah the Idol winner. And now here they are, 10 hours and 3 thousand miles later, chatting again.
“The biggest heart, the nicest guy”
“The biggest heart, the nicest guy, a great story,” is how Ryan described the American Idol champ. “you’re so authentic,” Ryan added. He mentions how Noah had one of his best performances of the season while battling COVID, singing remotely from his hotel room. Noah struggled to get comfortable with crowds at the beginning. Performing alone in his hotel room was a snap.
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“This whole show has been such a process,” Noah said. “I’m looking forward to writing some songs and putting some music out, playing some shows.”
Noah performs a lovely, acoustic version of “One Day Tonight”
Next, Noah performed a lovely acoustic version of “One Day Tonight.” It was just him and a guitarist strumming behind him. It’s the best live version of the new song yet.
