Watch Kentucky’s Noah Thompson honor his best friend and advance on ‘American Idol’

Sitting in the top 10 on “American Idol” as the season progresses, Kentucky’s Noah Thompson honored his best friend who made his journey possible.

Thompson, from Louisa, Kentucky, sang “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” from “Toy Story” for the show’s Disney Night on Sunday, May 1. The song choice was an ode to his friend, Arthur, who signed Thompson up for “American Idol” last year.

Arthur even surprised Thompson at Magic Kingdom as the singer practiced with guest mentor Derek Hough.

When it came time for his performance of the Randy Newman singalong ballad, Thompson sang some of his “best vocals ever,” judge Katy Perry said.

“Noah, I think that was my favorite song you’ve sang besides your Rihanna song,” Perry said of when Thompson performed Rihanna’s hit ”Stay.” “You reinvented that.”

Judge Luke Bryan told Thompson his vocal choices and movements showcased abilities he had not presented before.

“If you can on the fly put your little sparkle on that song, the sky is the limit on what you can do throughout your whole career,” Bryan said.

Lionel Richie added that Thompson’s song choice and attitude on stage were “perfect.”

He learned later in the night he advanced to the top 7 on “American Idol.”

“This is all surreal.. you guys blow my mind,” Thompson said in an Instagram post. “Thank you guys so much, from the bottom of my heart. I love you all!!!”

This story was originally published May 2, 2022 at 7:49 AM with the headline "Watch Kentucky’s Noah Thompson honor his best friend and advance on ‘American Idol’."