You can’t ever go wrong with a little Dolly Parton on American Idol.
Last night, fan-favorite contestant HunterGirl took the stage to perform Dolly’s iconic hit “9 to 5”, and the crowd (and judges) loved every minute of it.
Judge Lionel Richie told her the performance was “amazing”, with Katy Perry likening her to Dolly with high praise, saying she “embody’s” the country icon.
Of course, Dolly wrote the original #1 hit for the film of the same name that she co-starred in with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in 1980, and it’s become one of her most popular and beloved songs. And she did so using her acrylic nails, which you will definitely want to read about here.
Hunter is one of three country finalists still in the running, and last night, she advanced to the Top 9 as voted by fans, with extra contestant Lady K being saved in the last few seconds by Katy Perry and Luke Bryan to make it 10 finalists in total.
HunterGirl is a native of Winchester, Tennessee who regularly plays bars on Broadway. She previously covered Ashley McBryde’s “Girl Goin’ Nowhere” and Miranda Lambert’s “Vice” on the show, as well.
You love to see one East Tennessee girl paying her respects to another:
Dolly’s iconic version:
