The runner-up is not guaranteed a recording contract, only the winner, but Hunter’s Idol single “Red Bird” impressed the record label enough that they signed her to a contract. It also didn’t hurt that the American Idol platinum ticket holder has the gift of gab. “I actually got to meet them whenever we were recording in L.A.,” she told Parade.com in this exclusive interview. “I didn’t even know who I was talking to. You know, I talk to everybody. They actually came in and listened to ‘Red Bird,’ and then later on after the show, I met them in Nashville. And so, everything happened, and it was amazing. I’ve wanted a record deal since I was a little girl.” As a result, Hunter will be releasing her first single from the label today, “Hometown Out of Me,” which is a tribute to the folks in Winchester, Tenn., who have supported her on her journey to American Idol and more. The inspiration for the single began with a trip to the Food Lion on her first weekend home after wrapping the singing competition. Hunter and her mother went to the supermarket to pick up some groceries when she got a pleasant surprise. “I looked over and I was like, ‘Oh, my gosh! That’s my face!’” she recalled. “The newspaper had placed ads congratulating me on the year of American Idol and all the shows. I was about to cry in the supermarket. I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, my hometown,’ because they’ve supported me since I was little. And then my momma, she’s picking them all up and she’s going, ‘Your nana’s getting one! Your aunt’s getting one. Your cousin.’” That tribute stuck with Hunter, and the following Monday when she got back to Nashville, she decided she wanted to write a thank you card in the form of a song to her hometown. “I would not be here without them and all the people that have supported me through the past year of my life. I just wanted to say thank you. This is the perfect song to start out my career with.” Also, as a result of signing with the same record conglomerate that Idol winner Noah Thompson is on, the two will be launching a tour together on Oct. 27 in Columbus, Ohio. “It’s going to be a lot of fun,” she shared. “We are doing separate sets. I’m singing my originals and sharing some new and some of the old ones that I put out right before I got on the show. And then we may do a few songs together. It’s just going to be a lot of fun and a big party, just celebrating this past year for sure.” As for all the rumors on the internet that there is something other than friendship between the two Idol contestants, Hunter says absolutely not. “People are always going to say something,” she said. “Being on TV, I never thought I’d be on TV, it’s like, ‘Oh, my gosh, everybody’s saying something.’ I was just lucky to have a season where I had so many friends. It’s so different than what you think it is whenever you’re watching it, because we were all just so close. I’m lucky to have a friend that understands what everybody’s going through.” Hunter also spoke to Parade.com more about her life after American Idol, including what things have changed, what has been the best part, and what’s next. What has it been like since Idol? You had a career before, but when you came back to Nashville was it crazier? Oh my gosh, when I stepped off the plane after the finale, it was just amazing and crazy, all the emotions all at once. But the past few months have just been absolutely incredible and I’m just getting to chase my dream full speed after the show. It’s just been one of the best experiences of my life. What kinds of things have changed? Coming back, I went home for that weekend and then I immediately started writing again. So, I’ve been getting all kinds of writes, it’s been wonderful. I just signed my first record deal, which is so crazy! With Broken Bow, BMG and 19, and it has just been unbelievable, they are so good to me. I have a new single coming out Friday [today], so I’ve just been working full speed, playing a lot of shows with my band. I’m living the dream right now; it’s just been incredible. You also couldn’t have had better support than Luke Bryan saying to you that you had his favorite country voice of the season. And then he had you perform at his club, and they came and they presented you a platinum ticket. What does that kind of support, after trying to get your career going for so many years, what did that mean? It meant everything. I’ve looked up to him my entire life, who he is as a person along with his music, and just hearing that from him, I was trying not to cry in the audition room. And then after that when they invited me to sing at the bar, I had no idea that they were coming. They had said that auditions were running late and that they wouldn’t be there. I’m halfway through a song and they walk in the door, and I was like, “Oh, my gosh. This is crazy!” And when they gave me the platinum ticket, all the emotions came at once. This meant that somebody saw me. I think every artist just wants to feel seen at some point in their lives. I’ve been working so hard since I was 14, in that moment with all of them, and with especially Luke, I finally felt seen as an artist by somebody that I looked up to. Did that platinum ticket paint a target on your back? Or was it maybe more inspirational that you knew that the judges thought you were that good so then you wanted to prove to them that you were worthy of it? I wanted to prove myself throughout the competition because it was scary. Coming into Hollywood Week and being a platinum ticket winner, you want to feel like you deserve it. I never felt that way, I’m like, “Oh, my gosh, y’all should pick somebody else.” I just wanted to prove to myself and make them feel like they made a good decision. So, I definitely felt some pressure because I just wanted to make them proud throughout the competition. But it was also just a huge inspiration that they gave that to me. I’m going to keep that for the rest of my life, and all the memories that I had on the show, and them supporting me. So, are you going to frame it and hang on it on the wall? It’s at my mom and dad’s house. They have it in my old room. I love it being there. I saw pictures of you with Chayce Beckham as well. What advice did he have for you since he’s a year ahead of you? I was at CMA Fest and ended up getting to meet him. And then he was like, “Hey, you want to jump up during my set?” and sing the duet that he does with Lindsay Ell. I was like, “Absolutely!” So, I was learning that song’s lyrics for a few hours before I jumped on the stage. He’s just been awesome. I can call him and be like, “Hey, I’m going through something,” and he’ll always answer. He’s been a big support. I think it’s lucky with all the Idol alumni, that they always take you in and check on you and worry about you. To invite you up on the stage with him, I think that shows a kindness on his part. It’s really nice to hear something like that. I know. He’s incredible. Jimmie Allen was the same way. He invited me up during CMA Fest and he was on American Idol. Just two sweet human beings and they gave me a chance to play CMA Fest for the first time. It was really special. You have your single coming out, but are you working on a whole album? What’s next? Honestly, I have been writing a lot. That’s where I get to talk about everything I’m going through, and so there’s a lot of new songs coming y’alls way very soon. I’m playing a lot of shows throughout the end of this year. I just got to open for Justin Moore and Pam Tillis. So next year, I’m so excited to see what happens show-wise and music-wise, but just know that there’s a lot of stuff coming y’alls way soon. You’ve said you’ve been writing. Are you solo writing or do you get to write with some bigger name people now? I’m co-writing, and then sometimes I’ll write by myself. So, it’s everything and above. I’m getting to write with some people that I’ve looked up to for a very long time. Especially with my single, I got to write with Jimmy Robbins who produced “Red Bird,” the single that I had out. And then Laura Veltz is also the co-writer on “Hometown Out Of Me,” and I couldn’t believe I got to be in that room. There are so many moments this year where I’m just thankful. And all the writes that I’ve been having lately, I’ve been pinching myself because I’m like, “Oh, my gosh, they’re writing with me?” So, I’m excited for all the music that’s coming out. Sometimes when you have an idea for a song, you get stuck on it. It’s nice to have somebody with a fresh perspective on it, I would think. Yeah, for sure. Especially with people that have been writing for so long, getting to learn from them as the write goes along, and helping make an idea into a three-and-a-half-minute song is special. I’m lucky to have my job. When you release your next music, will it be in album form, or will it be a single like “Hometown Out Of Me”? It’s still up in the air right now. But I would like to release another single before I put out an EP or an album. Leah Marlene put a post up on social media about how life has been hard for her after Idol, but I hear she just recently moved to Nashville. Have you guys been able to get together? Have you been able to help her out a little bit? Leah is probably one of my favorite people I’ve ever met in my entire life. I talk to her on the phone all the time. She’s been playing a lot of shows here recently. And so, she just moved to Nashville, and we have a few hangouts coming up that I’m really excited for. I talked to her on Facetime and on the phone whenever she was out in L.A., and then she recently moved to Nashville. But she’s been playing shows like I have, and so I can’t wait to get together and hug her in person. What do you see is the biggest change that has happened to you because of being on American Idol? I never thought that I’d be recognized on the street. That’s the craziest thing. And getting to meet people. But I think the most special thing that’s happened because of the show was my single “Red Bird.” It was my heart on a plate in a song and hearing the stories that resulted from “Red Bird” has been the biggest change and the coolest moment. For people suffering loss, people going through something, people missing somebody, or just needing a little bit of hope that’s why I wanted to sing that song when I was on the show. I think getting to hear those stories has been the most special part of being back for sure. I want to be that artist that writes songs that help people. And just to hear that that song did, it means everything to me. HunterGirl’s single “Hometown Out Of Me” is being released today. Next, And the Winner of American Idol Season 20 Is…
