Season 23 of American Idol will kick off on Sunday, March 9th and Abi Bowen is one of the main contenders. She has already won Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and Lionel Richie over but what did she do to impress the three? Keep reading for more details on Abi.
Abi Bowen Stands Up To Nerves For American Idol
It is time for a new season of American Idol and this year is going to be huge. Out is judge, Katy Perry, and taking over her spot is Carrie Underwood. She is more than up for the challenge as she was the winner of Season 4. Therefore, she has the experience of being a contestant and can relate to them on a different level. Of course, there was some concern that her performing at the inauguration would cause some backlash. Initially, it did but after the recent Idol preview, she seems to have won skeptics over.
Along with Carrie, Jelly Roll will be the first Artist in Residence on the show, mentoring the contestants. He will come in during Hollywood week and continue on during that time. This is amazing for Jelly Roll as he had been a mentor last season and now has a very special role. There are a lot of people who want to make it on the show but do they have the talent? Not everyone does and that is what makes the show great, the challenge and the process. One contestant who more than had what it takes is Abi Bowen from Blountville, Tennessee.
Abi Bowen has been a longtime American Idol fan but never had the confidence although her late mother believed in her talent:
“This is something I would have absolutely never done before. But my mom, Miriam Collins, always believed in me. She’d come over every Sunday to watch ‘American Idol’ and tell me, ‘That could be you up there.’ I never believed her. I always thought I’d pass out from nerves.”
It was not until after her mother passed away that she decided to jump right in and audition. She is big on country and soul music so that is where her heart is.
Meeting The Judges
For Abi Bowen, getting a chance to meet and perform for the American Idol judges was a huge deal. She has always loved Lionel Richie and then add in Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood:
“Lionel, for some reason, his soul, something about his soul is just, I connect with him through that. He seems like such a genuine person. But honestly, Luke and Carrie are both awesome too.”
Her stage fright has held her back in the past but no longer. For her audition, she sang the Bonnie Raitt classic “I Can’t Make You Love Me.” After this journey ends, Abi hopes to perform in local joints while still figuring out who she is. She is also a hat maker who will be selling her designs out of a horse trailer that she is converting. It is called Joy Feather Western Company so hopefully, viewers will get to see her designs on the show. Along with the faith her mother had, Abi also has a husband and a son watching her along the way.
Are you excited to watch the new contestants and what they bring to the show? Let us know and watch American Idol Sundays on ABC and streaming on Hulu.
Amanda has been a professional freelance writer for over a decade, holding both a BA and an MA. Her passions include animals, iced coffee, gnomes, summer, music, and ‘Vanderpump Rules’.
