Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Gabby Samone of American Idol Season 23

American Idol returns Sunday, March 9 with Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie returning as judges. They’ll be joined by Carrie Underwood, who replaces Katy Perry.

Here’s more about Samone.

* She’s an artist from Baltimore in her early 20s with music already released, including a holiday EP that came out in December.

* Gabby describes her music as a dash of gospel with a serving of soul into a heaping helping of Pop & R&B.

* She hails from a family of singers and grew up singing in the choir at the church she attended in Baltimore. Her father is a pastor and singer.

* Gabby made her television debut in November 2022 on The Jennifer Hudson show, singing a rousing version of “Natural Women.” She said Jennifer’s among the artists who inspired her growing up.

* Gabby released a pair of original singles in 2024 — “Better” and “21 1/2.” The vocal on the latter is especially impressive, and you can check it out below. A capella versions of both songs are also available on streaming sites.

* She considers “21 1/2” a mix of urban and country in a single song. Says Gabby: “I come straight out of Baltimore. I’m straight from the hood. I’m an urban girl … But I enjoy country. I love the story telling of it. And it kind of just happened naturally. I was in the car and ended up just coming up with a country melody. It feels authentic to me, just telling my story, regardless of the genre.”

* As for Gabby’s goals with her music? Here’s what she told Jennifer Hudson: “I’m just big on youth and self-love and helping out my generation. Right now, we just need light. And I’m in it. I’m in the midst of the darkness and choas. I really would like to be that light, if God allows me.”

* Idol gave viewers a sneak peek at Gabby with a brief video released Thursday. In it, she talks about how she and her parents wound up homeless during the COVID pandemic. And we see Lionel calling her audition “spectacular.”

Gabby on social media:
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