Minnesotan’s Emotional American Idol Audition Wins Instant Golden Ticket

Just a few months ago, Minnesota was put on the map thanks to the extremely popular TV show called The Voice.  Southeast Minnesota's very own Cori Kennedy immediately rose to fame with her amazing performances.  She is also extremely funny and we are so thankful for the time she spent with us in our studios at Townsquare Media.  You can see what she is up to now here.

Today, another Minnesota native is showing the world some goodness from our state thanks to the one and only American Idol.  An emotional song and fabulous voice is now taking Minnesotan, Chris Tungseth, to Hollywood.  If you missed his performance, you've got to take a moment and watch it below.

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Minnesotan Just Won A Golden Ticket On The Popular American Idol TV Show

One word that describes Minnesotans is STRONG.  For Chris Tungseth, that is the definition of who he is as a person...and he showed that on American Idol recently in front of Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan.

During the day, Chris is roofing houses and doing construction in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.  He is extremely grateful for his family - they mean everything to him.  When he was a kid, he had the privilege of having a house full of music. Chris' mom played the piano and his dad was an opera singer.

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Life quickly turned to heartache when Chris was just 10 years old.  Unfortunately, Chris' mom was diagnosed with a pretty aggressive form of multiple sclerosis at that time and required quite a few hospitalizations many hours away.  His dad was Chris' superman - driving to be with his mom and doing his best to also help raise Chris and his siblings.

12 years later, his dad, Chris' hero, was diagnosed with leukemia.  Chris' superman unfortunately lost that battle.

As I listened to Chris and his siblings talk about this journey, I immediately felt everything that he had gone through because my family also lived for years between hospitals and lost those we love to leukemia.  The heartbreak and learning to live life after you have said goodbye to those you love is something I never wish on anyone.  But Chris turned that grief into a magical moment on the American Idol stage on February 16th, 2026.

While most of us would have a few nerves standing in front of Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and Lionel Richie, Chris used his voice to honor his dad with an original song called "Lonely Road"...and now he is going to Hollywood.

Chris' latest post on his Facebook page is him holding the golden ticket along with the following words,

this one’s for you pops

thank you Jesus

Go cheer on this Minnesotan!  He deserves all of our love and support.