HunterGirl - American Idol 2022

HunterGirl may have not been crowned American Idol, but the runner-up still feels like she left Season 20 a winner. Judge Luke Bryan saw Top 10 material the first time he heard the country singer-songwriter, and the platinum ticket holder was one of the most popular and consistent contestants right from that first audition.

HunterGirl came polished and prepared thanks to years of gigging at county fairs and bars (her business degree probably didn’t hurt, either), and she made the most of the stage each week. Now, with Idol in the rear-view, the pride of Winchester, Tennessee, opens up about the whirlwind experience.

HunterGirl: It has been a long road. I’ve been playing shows since I was 14. I always knew I wanted to do music, and knew I had to work really hard. My family had two or three jobs growing up. I was raised in that hard-working mindset. I can’t believe all the stuff that has happened. Little Hunter would lose her mind if she saw her life right now.

Was there any point in the process where you felt especially down?

This competition was probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Getting to have Luke there to cheer me on meant everything. I’ve looked up to him since I was a little girl. There were moments when you are down, worried, or scared. We’re learning songs on the fly with a band, then we’re on TV. I do remember [during Contestant’s Choice week] I was really nervous and scared about getting the songs right. It was just a lot. [For finale week] we were running on no sleep to get everything done. It has been a nerve-wracking experience. It was cool to get to this point because I didn’t think I would make it past the Nashville audition.

Your single “Red Bird” continues to rise up the Billboard charts. How does it feel to see people respond to its powerful message?

When I was little, my mom always told me if I saw a red bird, it was a sign from Heaven that someone is looking down on you. I was driving home from the watch party for the first episode of Idol—the one I was on. I was scared to death: “People aren’t going to like me.” “I’m going to sound bad.” All the things you think about yourself. I was talking to God on the way home. I was like, “Can you let me know it’s going to be okay?” A red bird flew in front of my window when I was driving down the road.

That’s where I got my idea for the song. I never thought the song would reach so many people. The reason I do music is to help other people. It’s why I work with veterans. I was so happy to sing that song on television because there may have been somebody sitting at home missing someone who passed away and needed a reminder that they were still there.



What were your highlights of the season?

Getting to sing with Luke in the finale was such a full-circle experience. It was so fun. It marked a year’s worth of work on American Idol. To have that moment with him was really cool. Getting to sing “Baby Girl” by Sugarland in front of my parents meant a lot because of how much they supported me. I’m going to remember all these moments for the rest of my life.

What is the origin story of the name HunterGirl?

My last name is Wolkonowski. Kindergarten was hard. In my hometown, nobody could pronounce my name. Nobody still can. The lady at the front office would say, “The girl Hunter. Hunter girl, come to the office.” There would be all the talent shows where I would be the only girl. There would be boys with the name Hunter. They would say “Hunter girl.” It kind of stuck as a nickname.

What do you see for yourself now that all these doors have opened up?

I want to put out new music. I want to go out on tour. I want to sing songs. I want to say thank you to everyone who supported me through this entire year. I want to hear my song on the radio. I would love to play the Opry one day. Doing all these things I’ve dreamed of my entire life.