Noah Thompson Shares the Best Advice Lionel Richie Gave Him on ‘American Idol’

American Idol winner Noah Thompson is looking back on career-defining advice he received from judge Lionel Richie that followed him into his artist career. Thompson was named the winner of American Idol season 20 in 2022, with his cover of Rihanna’s “Stay” proving to be a particular standout. But some wise words from Richie helped him get there.

“I remember Lionel looked at me at one point throughout the show and he told me, ‘Every time you step on that stage, step on there with some big boots,’” Thompson recalls to American Songwriter of the best advice he received while on Idol. “I tried to tell myself that every night on the show…It was funny because most of the time [I] was up there, I would almost blackout. But for some reason that night, I remember him telling me that.”

When Thompson first stepped into the Idol audition room, he was a shy 19-year-old with an ear-pleasing voice and charming politeness that earned him unanimous approval from the judges. By the show’s end, it was evident that his stage presence had grown, thanks in part to Richie’s advice.

“That night he told me that, I really paid attention to what he was saying. For some reason when he said that, it just stuck with me. I don’t know what it was about it, I never forgot it,” the Kentucky native continues. “It’s his eyes, he locks into you. I love Lionel so much. They call him Papa Lionel on the show because he’s truly like a father figure to everybody. He treats everybody so good.”

Richie’s words stuck with the young singer long after the show concluded, Thompson now applying them to his solo career. “I feel like I’ve definitely found myself throughout my own journey coming off the show and doing my own things, playing my own shows and getting to find myself as an artist,” he says.

Thompson released his debut EP, Middle of God Knows Where in June 2023. He currently has a handful of tour dates scheduled through October 2023.

Photo Credit: ABC/Eric McCandless