Alex Miller’s American Idol journey may have come to an end on Sunday evening, but it appears this isn’t the end of the road for the 17-year-old country singer from Kentucky.
Miller took the stage during Idol‘s Showstopper round for a chance to secure a spot in the Top 24. Following his performance of Merle Haggard’s “Silver Wings,” judge Luke Bryan delivered the unfortunate news that he would not be moving forward in the competition.
“You have a natural gift,” Bryan said. “You make people smile, it is your gift.”
The superstar went on to encourage him to go home and find who he is as a performer
“You take this personality, this character and you go and start carving and molding out who Alex is,” Bryan explained and later added, “You have to be your own artist.”
Miller was noticeably disappointed but took the news in stride.
“I’m a huge believer in what you are and I’m sorry to be the deliverer of the bad news,” Bryan said.
Moments later, viewers were surprised to see a Facetime call between Miller and Bryan where the high schooler was surprised with the invitation of a lifetime.
“Do you remember a certain promise that I made you during your audition process?” Bryan asked Miller.
“Oh, I haven’t forgotten that,” Miller shared.
“Well, I made some calls to my good friends at the Grand Ole Opry and they agreed to let my buddy Alex Miller come perform at the Grand Ole Opry,” the “Down To One” singer revealed.
Miller was overcome with emotion.
“Oh my God,” Miller said in a state of shock. “Oh my God!”
“And maybe I’ll share the stage with you a little bit if you’ll have me,” Bryan promised.
After revealing that he once toured the Opry as a child, Miller said it would be a “full circle” moment for him.
Watch the incredible moment go down in the clip below.
"𝘋𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝘢 𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶…"@LukeBryanOnline is a man of his word! ☎️@AlexMillerMusi1 is going to the Grand Ole @Opry!#Showstoppers #AmericanIdol pic.twitter.com/xju2NPNJVs
— American Idol (@AmericanIdol) March 29, 2021
