HunterGirl flies high as American Idol runner-up

Before she punched her ticket to Hollywood, American Idol runner-up HunterGirl left home and traveled up the road to hone her craft in MTSU’s acclaimed Recording Industry program.

Hunter Wolkonowski (’20), a 23-year-old singer-songwriter from Winchester, made a return trip to her hometown to embrace her roots before the May 22 season finale of Idol, where she debuted her original song “Red Bird.”

Wearing a metallic red dress and playing guitar, she evoked tears, cheers, and a standing ovation from the studio audience, her family, and judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan.

“You’re not a star, you’re a supernova. . . . American Idol ends tonight, but your career is gonna be forever,” Perry said. “You have your wings.”

At her hometown visit, some 500 fans endured the hot sun in front of the Oldham Theatre on Winchester’s public square.

HunterGirl at hometown visit

Photo by J. Intintoli

MTSU’s Beverly Keel, dean of the College of Media and Entertainment, and Odie Blackmon, hit songwriter and coordinator of the Commercial Songwriting program, presented HunterGirl with an honorary professorship from her alma mater.

“As you inspire millions of young men and women across America, you remind us that the voices of small-town America are vital to this country,” Keel said. “You’re teaching us to listen to our hearts, stay true to who we are, and celebrate our uniqueness.”

HunterGirl, who earned her degree with a Music Business concentration, took a songwriting class from Blackmon in 2019. He praised her humility and her authenticity.

“I found her voice to be unique, and then Hunter distinguished herself by being a very generous co-writer and fellow student,” Blackmon said. “She came [to MTSU] to work on her craft and her skills, but she knew who she was.”

Blackmon also praised HunterGirl for continuing to work with military veterans, using her music as therapy, even after MTSU’s three-year Operation Song project concluded in 2019.

HunterGirl entered the grand finale of Season 20 of American Idol in the top three before advancing into the final two with eventual winner Noah Thompson.

“Thanks for believing in me,” she said on the finale, later adding, “I think I’ve grown more this year than I ever have in my entire life.”