Noah Thompson, the American Idol season 20 winner, has many hopes for the future, but one of his biggest is that his 1-year-old son Walker will grow up to be proud of him for following his dreams. Noah, a 20-year-old construction worker from Louisa, Kentucky, won the competition after weeks of showcasing his raw talent for singing country music. With no prior performing experience, Noah eagerly soaked in the guidance and advice from the mentors and judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan to become a true artist.
Throughout his American Idol experience, Noah's family--including his beloved grandmother Karen, who helped raise him, his girlfriend and high school sweetheart Angel Dixon, and his baby son Walker--were by his side. Noah reunited with Angel and Walker in Disneyland during American Idol Disney Week, and they were able to spend some time having fun at the theme park together. For the American Idol Mother's Day episode, Noah dedicated his performance of "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac to his grandmother, who is now helping him with raising Walker. These cherished family members supported Noah at the finale. While Walker slept, Karen and Angel cheered for him live in the audience as he became the next American Idol winner.
In an interview with Music Mayhem, Noah shared that he hoped his son will someday be proud of him for following his dreams. As he explained, "For me, I remember the way I looked at my dad as a kid, I thought he was a rock star." He said that "the coolest thing" for him out of his whole American Idol journey is that some day Walker will be at that age where he can look at Noah's experience and say, "'That’s my dad.’ And that’ll be a really proud thing for him." Noah recalled that he looked up to his own father while growing up, explaining that it was his father who introduced him to music. Noah said, "How I got into music, more than anything, would just be because of my dad and the upbringing I had with my dad being a musician and being in a band. And the love for music I had because of him, growing up with him being in the band, and me constantly being around music all the time, and just hearing music."
Noah went on to say that he "was not expecting" to be reunited with Angel and Walker in Disneyland, and it was a real surprise. He shared, "It means the world to me for [Walker] to be here. It feels like home almost, there ain’t nothing like it. This is just a little glimpse of what I could do for him. This can completely change everything for him, for me, for my family. I really needed that to be honest." Throughout the American Idol competition, Noah made it very clear that he was doing this for Walker in order to give him a good life. It was so important to him to set a good example for his son and to be someone of whom he could be proud. Noah achieved that goal.
Noah won American Idol because of his incredible country music singing, but that was only part of the story. His hope that he can be a good father to his son is relatable and helped people to connect with him. His humble demeanor is the reason that he continues to work to be the best version of himself for his son. Noah is the true definition of an American Idol.
Source: Music Mayhem