Editor’s Note — As part of our countdown to 2025, WYDaily is revisiting its most-read and favorite stories of the year. Reporter Megan Roche said growing up, “American Idol” was one of her favorite TV shows, so when she heard about a local musician making an appearance on the show, she had to track her down and learn more about what it was like being on the show.
NEW KENT — New Kent’s Grayson Torrence is gearing up for a trip to Hollywood after securing a golden ticket during a recent episode of “American Idol.”
Torrence, who grew up loving the show, knew she would audition one day.
“I was, like, a year old and I remember sitting in front of the TV just singing along without words really, just screaming to the people singing on TV. It was ever since then that we always tuned in for “American Idol.” We always specifically made sure that we weren’t doing anything or weren’t working so we could sit in front of the TV and watch it,” Torrence said.
A bundle of nerves, Torrence recalls she was physically shaking before she entered the audition room. As she came face to face with judges Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and Lionel Richie, those original nerves went away.
“Right when I walked in that room with the judges, it was like the flip of a switch. I completely stopped shaking, I feel like it wasn’t even me in there talking to the judges, I feel like it was God kind of speaking through me and doing everything for me, because I was terrified,” Torrence recalls.
During her audition, Torrence sang a rendition of Christina Aguilera’s “Fall in Line.” With bated breath, she awaited comments from the three judges.
“Personally, I wasn’t expecting to get a yes. I don’t know why but I just wasn’t. I couldn’t believe that it could happen. It just felt very much like a dream that I was going to wake up from. When Luke said it was his favorite audition of the day, I thought I didn’t hear him correctly at all. All of their words were so kind and so sweet and when I actually got those three yeses, the first two was insane and when Lionel said yes, I was just not expecting three, let alone one. I felt like all of my dreams like came true,” Torrence said.
After securing her golden ticket to Hollywood, Torrence had time to reflect on the competition moving forward.
“I really want to show my personality and who I am as a person in general because I was so nervous the first initial audition that I didn’t really get to give them the full Grayson. I hope I can put myself into my performances and into everything about Hollywood Week because I feel like they would enjoy it. I’m very weird but in the very best way possible,” Torrence said.
On April 6, Torrence will host a meet and greet opportunity in Quinton. She will be on-site at Quinton Community Park at 3 p.m. to sign autographs, sell merch, along with her beloved guitarist, Billy, who appeared on the show alongside her. Depending on time, Torrence may also perform a few songs for those in attendance.
While her fate on the show is still up in the air, Torrence is proud of where she has come in this competition.
“I would do this 100 times over again,” Torrence said.
To support Torrence on her “American Idol” journey, she encourages using the hashtags #HolyMacaroniGraysonOnIdol #GraysonOnIdol and #GraysonTorrance.
“Tag me in things, share things with me, I love to interact with people so if you tag me in anything or hashtag it, I’m going to respond because I’m constantly stalking it,” Torrance said.
“American Idol” will air its Showstoppers Round episode on April 6, where Torrence’s fate on the show will be decided. The episode will air on ABC at 8 p.m.
To learn more about Torrance’s music journey, visit graysontorrencemusic.com.
