The platinum ticket is special for the 20th anniversary – fifth season on ABC– of the talent competiton, with only one being given out in each audition city – Nashville, Los Angeles and Austin – for a total of three. The advantage the platinum ticket gives the three artists who are awarded it is to observe the competition from the box seats at the theater one day in Hollywood, they get to rest their voice, strategize, check out the competition and select who they want to duet with. HunterGirl, 23, a music therapist who works with veterans from Winchester, Tenn., was awarded the first after Luke said she was his favorite female country voice he had heard in all five seasons he had been a judge on the show. HunterGirl auditioned with Rascal Flatts’ “Riot,” and won the judges over big time. So much so, that Luke took a lap around the room when she was done and wrote down Top 10 in his notes. “Your voice cuts through,” said Katy. “It is like a sharp knife. It is so nice to listen to. You can tell the story through and through. It’s authentic. You’re obviously a goodhearted person with what you do with veterans. You check so many different boxes. All you need is a shot.” “It is like a new age Miranda Lambert,” Luke declared. “I tell you what, I don’t even think you’re in the right key for that song. I think you could go up a half step. Do me a favor and slide up one-half step and sing that chorus." HunterGirl did and she was even better and got the golden ticket to Hollywood. HunterGirl attended Middle Tennessee State University where she studied Recording Industry and Music Business. She has worked in downtown Nashville on Broadway as a performer for many different venues since the age of 18. “When I’m not doing music for myself, I also work with veterans doing music therapy,” she said. “They tell me their stories about what they went through when they were at war and I turn it into a song. It helps them deal with PTSD. It’s a therapeutic process.” Then, after Luke, Katy and Lionel finished up with all the auditions in Nashville, they had to present the one platinum ticket, and there was no question who was going to get it. So, Luke invited HunterGirl to perform at LUKE’S 32 BRIDGE Food + Drink in Nashville to surprise her. Luke said, “I have my bar in downtown Nashville and I want to see real country fans react to this girl,” so the judges called her. He explained, “We would love to see you again and we want to put you in front of people at my bar LUKE’S 32 BRIDGE on Broadway in downtown Nashville tonight.” HunterGirl was surprised when the judges entered and Katy presented her with the platinum ticket, saying, “Inside this guitar is another ticket that only one person in this city gets. It is the platinum ticket. So not only do you get to go to Hollywood, but you get to relax for one day, rest your voice and size up the competition, and figure out how to become the next American Idol.” American Idol airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. Next,American Idol 2022! Everything You Need to Know, Including the Two New Mentors and the Two Big Changes!
