Colin Stough is not yet old enough to buy a beer, but he may be America’s next country music superstar.
The teenager from Mississippi is a top 3 finalist on the 21st season of “American Idol” on ABC. His gritty voice and laid back personality have captivated judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan from his audition.
Stough is hoping for America to vote him the winner of “Idol” this weekend. Here’s everything you need to know before the finale.
Where is Colin Stough from?
The teen hails from Amory, Mississippi. The small town had just under 7,000 residents in the 2020 Census and is in the northeast part of the state. The closest big city to Amory is in Tupelo.
Why did Colin Stough audition for ‘American Idol?’
The country singer’s mother encouraged him to audition for Richie, Perry and Bryan and follow his dreams. He sang “Simple Man” by Shinedown and impressed all of the judges.
Was Colin Stough connected to other ‘Idol’ contestants?
Stough and “American Idol” competitor Zachariah Smith both worked at the same hamburger stand in Amory. Smith made it to the Top 5 of “Idol” but was cut on Disney week.
What are Stough’s most popular performances?
The performances that judges praised the most from Stough were not country songs. He got the biggest reaction to “Dancing On My Own,” a longtime gay anthem by pop star Robyn. Judges also loved his covers of “Hand In My Pocket” by Alanis Morissette and “It’s Been Awhile” by Staind.
Does Stough have social media?
The first song Stough debuted on TikTok was “Cold” by Chris Stapleton. You can follow him there and on Instagram and Twitter.
How can I watch and vote?
You can watch the “American Idol” finale at 7 p.m. central on Sunday, May 21. There will be directions on how to vote for Stough then. His voting number may be released before Sunday.
This story was originally published May 19, 2023 6:30 AM.
