"Stars fell on Alabama."
Alabama has been blessed to showcase our talent on "American Idol" since its 2002 inception. Twice, we have produced the winner -- Ruben Studdard and Taylor Hicks. A semi-complete list of the impressive Alabama contenders on Idol is below – and growing longer.
Only two states have produced more than one Idol winner – Alabama (2) and North Carolina (3).
We now have the opportunity to even the score with Carolina. It’s 15-year-old Triston Harper from McIntosh. Waaaay down in southwest Alabama in Washington County, 44 miles north of Mobile.
Triston is now a student at Leroy High School. He plays guitar and sings.
The premiere of the 2024 season of American Idol will be on Sunday at 7 p.m. It will feature a 15-year-old high school kid from McIntosh.
A video has been produced about Triston in advance of Sunday’s American Idol appearance.
At his audition, Triston had sung his version of a hit by another Alabama singer, Jason Isbell’s “Cover Me Up.” The judges appeared to be impressed with his powerful voice at the tender age of 15. Judge Katy Perry gave him a standing ovation, saying “It wasn’t perfect, but it resonated with me. It was really good.”
Judge Lionel Ritchie, yet another Alabama singer, said, ”Your voice, you’ve got it.”
Triston, raised in the small town of McIntosh, is a Choctaw Indian. There is an extended village of Choctaws in and around McIntosh.
“We’re so proud of Triston being honored to appear on 'American Idol,' and we hope that you’ll be the winner of this competition,” tribal chief Dr. Lebarron Byrd, told Triston.
Triston is the youngest Idol contestant this season.
Triston Harper during his ‘American Idol’ audition. (ABC)
Triston revealed that his stepdad had been abusive towards his mom. When he was 11, they felt they had to leave McIntosh. “The lowest part of my life was when me and my mom had got homeless, and we were sleeping on the side of the road. I had just turned 12.”
From homeless to Hollywood. We have the makings of a movie.
That Mom, Hattie Mae, has come to Hollywood with Triston. They had been joined at his auction by their close-knit family: his brother, his grandparents, and his two aunts.
Local educator, Dr. Jaclyn Stringer, posted on her Facebook page Friday:
“I am ugly crying because Triston has defied the odds that we all have witnessed him face growing up!! Bring it home to McIntosh, Triston!!!” #MOWAChoctaw #NativePride #AmericanIdol #hometowntalent
Triston Harper, the eyes of Alabama are upon you. Just as they were on our previous Alabama contestants on American Idol:
Ruben Studdard. 2003. Season 2. WON. Birmingham. Shouted “205,” his area code. The “Velvet Teddy Bear” won. Studdard got Alabama excited about American Idol.
LeRoy Wells. 2005. Initial audition. Grand Bay in South Mobile County.
Bo Bice. 2005. Made finals. Came in second to Carrie Underwood. Huntsville native living in Helena.
Taylor Hicks. Season 5. 2006. WON. Hoover/Birmingham.
Jessie Hamilton. 2010. Eliminated in audition. Anniston.
Paul McDonald. 2011. Opelika/Huntsville. Finished eighth.
Wade Brown. 2011. Season 10. Harvest. Cut in Hollywood week.
Kevin Harris. 2012. Montgomery native. Top 40.
Garrett Nichols. 2014. Hollywood week. Tuscaloosa.
Jessica Meuse. 2014. Fourth place. Slapout in Elmore County.
C.J. Harris. 2014. Sixth place. Jasper.
Dexter Roberts. 2014. Seventh place. Fayette.
Casey Thrasher. 2014, 2015. Cut in Hollywood week. Made top 48. Tuscaloosa. Life story of struggles.
Erica Washington. 2015. Top 48. Mobile.
Garrett Miles. 2015. Cut in Hollywood week. Phenix City. Blind from birth.
Andrew Annello. 2015. Springville. Cut in Hollywood week.
Shelbie Z. 2016. Shelbie Zora James Panter. Top 24. Sumiton in Walker County. Controversy. Confederate flag in her video of song: “We fly rebel flags and we’re proud to say, it’s the Walker County way.”
Dominique Posey. 2018. Top 24. Birmingham.
Brandon Elder. 2018. Cut in final round of Hollywood week. Arab, Alabama.
Walker Burroughs. 2019. Elite Eight. Vestavia Hills.
Douglas Kiker. 2020. Grand Bay. Cut in Hollywood week. Worked on garbage truck but later acted in film, “Garbage Man.”
Cameron McGhar. 2021. Cut in Hollywood week. Clanton.
Kari Erickson. 2021. Cut in duets round of Hollywood week. Hartselle.
Kezia Istonia. “Lady K.” 2022. Top 10. Tuskegee. Had lived in a shelter and lost her brother to suicide.
Tristen Gressett. 2022. Top 11. Pell City.
Cadence Baker. 2022. Top 20. Florence.
Tyler Allen. 2022. Cut in Hollywood week. Mobile. Now a pastor in Memphis.
Johnny Knox. 2023. Cut in Hollywood week. Tested positive for COVID-19. Performed by video from his hotel room.
Other Alabama Idol contestants won golden tickets to Hollywood.
Kristi Quinnie of Fairfield,
Bethany Tanner of Prattville,
Emily DeLoach of Birmingham,
Natalie Moon of Helena,
Eddie Soltys of Birmingham,
Brandon Cox of Wetumpka,
Alex Wilhelm of Daphne,
Laurel Taylor of Tallassee,
Steffi Ledbetter of Auburn,
Brittany Smith of Madison,
Samuel Swanson of Pine Level.
Triston Harper of McIntosh, Alabama.
“Stars fell on Alabama, and keep on falling.”
Jim Zeigler is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at ZeiglerElderCare@yahoo.com
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