In honor of Mother’s Day, the Top 7 American Idol contestants had the chance to take the stage to perform a song in honor of their mothers and HunterGirl delivered an emotional performance of Lauren Alaina’s “Like My Mother Does” dedicated to her mom, Urla.
Urla was in California visiting Huntergirl and got a sweet surprise when the Idol contestant brought her to the beach.
“Happy Mother’s Day mom! I love you. I wanted to bring you to the beach because I know this is your happy place,” Huntergirl told her mom while sitting on the beach as waves crashed ashore.
“I know, I love the beach. I’m so excited that you made it to the Top 7. You’ve worked so hard and since you’ve been a little girl this is all you wanted to do,” her mom said.
Huntergirl revealed plans to perform a song by American Idol alum, Lauren Alaina.
“It’s crazy, I’m doing the ‘Like My Mother Does’ by Lauren Alaina, I just wanted to dedicate that song to you because I always wanted to be like you when I grew up. You’ve worked so hard for me to be able to live my dream,” Huntergirl told her mom as tears streamed down her cheek.
“I know my mom made sacrifices working two or three jobs just wanting to take care of her kids,” the Tennessee native added.
“There’s been so many times that I thought about giving up,” the contestant admitted, before her mom said, “I know it’s been hard on you out here.”
“Life’s hard and music’s hard and just calling my mom after 2AM shifts and being like ‘I couldn’t give up because she believed in me.’”
“I know one song can’t sum up for everything you’ve done for me, but if for three minutes you get to feel special for a day, you deserve it,” Huntergirl told her mom while crying.
While performing Lauren Alaina’s “Like My Mother Does,” photos of Huntergirl and her mom were displayed in the background of the stage.
“Listen Huntergirl, you got the Platinum ticket! You still deserve the platinum ticket today and you’ve got a platinum heard as well my darling. You are such a great human being and you deserve the world,” Katy Perry said.
“I’m still trying to process what you said to your mother on that beach, I mean, it was beautiful,” Luke Bryan added. ”You need to go back, watch it, write a couple of songs based on that moment, but to be able to see the appreciation and the love that you have for your mother and great song choice and great performance, it was beautiful.”
“It’s amazing this far down into the competition, you’ve got me crying, Katy crying, the people around us are crying and hugging,” Lionel Richie shared. “I’m thinking to myself, if you did not do a better job of selling not only that song, but your mother and the feelings you have for your mother. You did a fabulous job!”
Huntergirl ultimately earned a spot in the Top 5 and will soon be mentored by American Idol alum and country superstar, Carrie Underwood.
American Idol airs on Sundays and Mondays at 8/7c on ABC.
