Ohio County’s Dakota Hayden is headed to Hollywood after he received a unanimous “yes” during his American Idol audition, with judge Katy Perry saying she thinks he’s “top-10 material” and Lionel Richie saying “we found somebody here.”
Hayden’s audition aired Sunday night. During his introduction, the 17-year-old from Fordsville talked about being raised in a small country town. His family owns a 36-acre farm where they raise cattle and are able to hunt and fish.
Hayden is a current student at Ohio County High School and has performed in several different locations across Ohio and Daviess counties, plus some Evansville locations. Some of his Owensboro performances include PorchFest and Friday After 5 in 2021.
During his intro clip, Hayden said he was excited to meet and perform in front of a country music icon.
“The judge I’m most excited to perform in front of, it has to be Luke Bryan. I’ve been listening to him for as long as I can remember. I’ve always looked up to him and hear him on the radio and his singing intertwines with my life and being able to sing and perform and meet him is life-changing,” Hayden said.
Donning a baseball cap, button-up shirt, blue jeans, boots and an acoustic guitar, Hayden walked confidently into the audition room, where the judges instantly knew they were in for a country music performance.
Hayden started by singing and playing his guitar simultaneously with a cover of Luke Combs‘ When It Rains It Pours. The judges then had Hayden sing without playing to let his vocals shine.
The judges were visibly excited and eager to praise Hayden.
“When you saw us up here smiling the whole time you were singing, it was not because we were laughing at you, we were thinking to ourselves, ‘we found somebody here,’” Lionel Richie said. “First of all, you’re pure country. Believable as heck, It’s believable and I love your pureness. You’re an aw-shucks kind of guy, and it translates.”
Perry said Hayden is “authentic through and through.”
“You are country from your hat to your boots. I think that you are raw and young,” Perry said. “… You’re just in such a shapeable place. Honestly, I think you’re top-10 material.”
Bryan agreed with Hayden’s potential in the competition.
“I think you’re in the right place. Thank you for driving your butt down from Fordsville, Kentucky. Call your mama, your daddy, your grandma, your auntie, your uncle, call your church, call your preacher, because you are exactly what we want to find,” Bryan said. “Katy is right. I think you’re gonna really sniff the Top 10.”
With all three voting “yes,” Hayden was given a golden ticket and moves on to the next round of competition in Hollywood.
Following the episode, Hayden shared on social media:
I cannot believe I had #AMomentLikeThis. I got the golden ticket and I’m heading to Hollywood! Thanks so much @KatyPerry, @LukeBryan and @LionelRichie! #AmericanIdol #DakotaOnIdol #Dakotahayden
American Idol airs Sundays at 8/7c on ABC.
