Meet the 6 NC singers who advanced to ‘American Idol’ Hollywood Week
“American Idol’s” Hollywood Week will feature six contestants from North Carolina, including two from the Charlotte area, after two more singers earned golden tickets during Sunday night’s episode.
North Carolina has produced three “Idol” winners since the show first aired: Fantasia Barrino, Scotty McCreery and Caleb Johnson. Other notable contestants from the Tar Heel State include Clay Aiken, Chris Daughtry, Kellie Pickler and Anoop Desai.
This year, Hollywood Week begins March 31 and consists of contestants being mentored by someone in their chosen musical genre.
These are the North Carolina singers who will compete.
Blake Proehl, Charlotte: Nana’s favorite
Charlotte native and former NFL player Blake Proehl, playing the piano while sitting next to his grandmother, sang a rendition of “In Case You Didn’t Know,” an emotional ballad by country artist Brett Young, during the season premiere that aired Feb. 18.
All three judges — including Katy Perry, who showed off her goosebumps during his performance — had glowing reviews for Proehl.
“Every grandma thinks that their grandchildren are great, but you’re right,” Perry told Proehl’s grandmother during his audition. “If you will allow us to be your coaches, you’re going to be to be top 10.”
“You just did that song the right way, and a very believable way ... Every girl you sit down and sing that to, they’re going to be melted butter,” judge Luke Bryan said. “It was just a real moment.”
“I wrote one thing down that stood out: natural,” judge Lionel Richie told Proehl.
Proehl received a resounding “yes” from all three judges, punching his ticket to Hollywood.
“I’m going to frame this ticket and probably put it in Nana’s house, because that’s where this all started,” Proehl said.
Bethany Teague, Gastonia: Turning ‘pain into purpose’
Bethany Teague, a Gastonia native and preschool teacher, was moved to tears after singing Kelly Clarkson’s “Piece by Piece” during her audition Sunday.
Before she sang, Teague revealed to the judges that her grandmother adopted her when she was five years old.
Her mother passed away in 2017 after giving birth to her sister, and her father is not in her life, Teague told the judges.
“My family is the world to me,” said Teague. “The ones that I have, they’re amazing.”
“I can tell why that song is so important,” Perry said. “I think you should turn that pain into purpose.”
“I think she just validated exactly what a hit record is supposed to be,” Richie said. “That was very moving, and you delivered the heck out of it.”
Teague celebrated with her family after receiving a “yes” from all three judges – and a ticket to Hollywood.
Garrison Bennett, Hickory: Lionel Richie’s son?
When 18-year-old Garrison Bennett walked into the audition room Sunday, the judges instantly noticed his resemblance to a young Richie.
“We better get a paternity test to make sure this isn’t Lionel’s child,” Bryan said.
Bennett, a Hickory native, first auditioned for the judges virtually, but didn’t make it through to Hollywood, WSOC reported – but he changed their minds after singing “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder, receiving a “yes” from all three.
When Bennett was joined by his family after hearing the good news, Perry had one question for his mother.
“Is this the first time you’ve met Lionel Richie?” Perry asked Bennett’s mother, who didn’t respond.
“Lionel, my dad, I’ll see you in Hollywood,” Bennett joked.
Anna Grace Hunt, Pembroke: Earning the ‘moo’
Pembroke native Anna Grace Hunt earned her ticket to Hollywood after performing “The Prayer” by Donnie McClurkin — but she received it in an unusual way.
Hunt, 18, is a member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina and won Miss Teen Lumbee in 2022, ABC11 reported. She is freshman at UNC Pembroke studying biology.
During the vote, Hunt received a “no” from Richie, but the other two judges had a tougher time making their decisions.
“You’ve got the voice, but I don’t think you’ve been challenged,” Bryan said.
“Yeah, but we’re the challengers,” Perry responded before changing her vote to “yes.”
Bryan voted “no” and was challenged to a “moo-off” by Perry, to decide Hunt’s fate.
Both judges climbed onto the table, got on all fours facing each other — and mooed like cows. The rules were simple: the first judge to laugh loses.
Bryan cracked first, meaning Hunt earned her ticket to Hollywood.
“I’m going to go home, work hard and show Katy that she didn’t moo for nothing,” Hunt said after her audition.
Max Dasher, Black Mountain: ‘A little big of magic’
Max Dasher, 18, from Black Mountain, received a “yes” from all three judges after performing his rendition of “Rock Salt and Nails” by Utah Phillips on March 3.
“You have that sparkle,” Perry said. “It’s the stuff. There’s like an undeniable authenticity. It’s like a gold rush.”
“What I love about you is that you did your audition exactly the way I would have,” said Bryan. “Freaking out, playing the guitar like you were trying to break a string. If we can get you to breathe and calm down — and understand that you’re pretty damn cool man, you’ve got a little bit of magic to you.”
“Your mantra should be: I’m 18, and I look like James Dean,” Richie said. “You’re going to have to bump up your vocals, but remember, your attitude comes with it.
Laela Dasher, Black Mountain: Half of the Dasher Duo
The judges saw the resemblance between Laela Dasher and her brother, Max, who auditioned right before her, after she sang “Angel from Montgomery” by John Prine while Max played the guitar.
“It’s definitely in the DNA,” Perry said after Laela’s audition. “Your brother and you have some similarities in delivery. As far as volume goes, I was looking for a little bit more. I’m just torn.”
After Bryan asked if the siblings could sing together, they performed “Rivers and Roads” by The Head and the Heart.
“It’s just magical,” Richie said after their performance. “I don’t know what y’all are gonna do next, but I know I’m gonna like it when you give it to me.”
Though Perry voted “no,” Richie and Bryan voted “yes,” sending Laela to Hollywood.
How to watch ‘American Idol’
The next episode of “American Idol” will air on Sunday, March 24 at 8 p.m. on ABC. That’s the last episode of auditions. The Hollywood Week episodes air Sunday, March 31, and Monday, April 1.
This story was originally published March 19, 2024 at 4:38 PM.
