Lucas Leon just got to live out some of his biggest dreams on American Idol.
Ahead of his second performance in Hawaii, the teenager got to meet with advisors Brad Paisley and Keke Palmer to help him prepare.
Videos by American Songwriter
Leon was particularly excited to meet Paisley, as he often plays the singer’s track, “I’m Gonna Miss Her,” at his gigs around town.
“I play the farmer’s market a lot in Nashville. It gets the tips,” Leon told Paisley of the 2002 track, which the men proceeded to play together.
“I’m a big of Brad just because his guitar playing, his singing, his songwriting, his stage presence, everything about him,” Leon told the cameras.
Paisley was clearly touched by Leon’s affection, and proceeded to make a sweet offer to the tenn.
“I’m sure I’ll be on the Opry in the next couple of months,” Paisley said. “Maybe you can come to that and then we can walk around backstage.”
Leon quickly expressed his excitement at the prospect, before revealing that he’d be playing Tim McGraw’s “Just to See You Smile” for his next Idol performance.
Paisley was a fan of the choice, and told the teen that it’s one of his favorite songs every written. After hearing Leon perform the number, Paisley praised him for his heartfelt interpretation that didn’t try to copy McGraw.
“They say don’t meet your heroes, but I’m really glad I met Brad,” Leon told the cameras. “I’m hoping I can take his advice with me on the stage.”
Lucas Leon Performs “Just to See You Smile” on American Idol
Leon proceeded to do just that during his performance, and earned praise from all the judges.
“You made that so comfortable,” Lionel Richie said. “I almost forgot that you were a contestant. That’s what you want… What you just performed there was about as natural as you’re ever gonna get. It was fantastic.”
Palmer agreed, telling Leon, “You really transported us into your world.”
“Your voice is powerful, it is beautiful,” Carrie Underwood agreed. “There is something really special about the simplicity… It’s just so easy to listen to you and watch you. I loved it.”
Luke Bryan was the last to speak, telling Leon that he keeps “knocking every performance out of the park.”
Viewers at home can vote for Leon by texting 13 to 21523, navigating to the American Idol website, or by commenting “Lucas” on Idol‘s pinned posts on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok. Voting will be open until 6:00 a.m. ET on Tuesday, March 24.
American Idol airs Mondays on ABC.
Photo by Disney/Eric McCandless
Most Viewed
-
Singer Patsy Cline poses for a portrait circa 1961. Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images -
LOS ANGELES – 1985: Singer Rosemary Clooney poses for a portrait in 1985 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry Langdon/Getty Images) -
UNSPECIFIED – SEPTEMBER 01: Photo of Raspberries (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) -
LAS VEGAS – APRIL 06: ***EXCLUSIVE*** Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn perform "The Cowboy Rides Away' onstage during the 44th annual Academy Of Country Music Awards' Artist of the Decade held at the MGM Grand on April 6, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Winter/ACM2009/Getty Images for ACM) -
Faron Young, who put Willie Nelson on the map -
English rock band Procol Harum posed outside the Centre Point office building at St Giles Circus in London in May 1967. Members of the group are, from left, Ray Royer, Bobby Harrison (1939-2022), David Knights, Gary Brooker (1945-2022) and Matthew Fisher. (Photo by Ivan Keeman/Redferns) -
AUSTIN, TEXAS – Lloyd Maines performs onstage during "Austin City Limits Celebrates 50 Years: A Special Anniversary Taping" of the long-running music series "Austin City Limits" at ACL Live on November 21, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images) -
LOS ANGELES – NOVERMBER 1963: Rock and roll group "The Beach Boys" pose with Corvette in their first photo session since Al Jardine returned to the band in Novermber 1963. (L-R) Brian Wilson, Al Jardine, Dennis Wilson, Carl Wilson, Mike Love. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)