Who is Laine Hardy? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Age: 23 Years, 23 Year Old Males

Family:

father: Barry

mother: Cindy Lou Hardy

Born Country: United States

Singers American Men

City: Baton Rouge, Louisiana

U.S. State: Louisiana

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Rise to Fame

Laine Hardy considers Elvis Presley to be the biggest inspiration for him as a singer. As he was growing up, he was exposed to old country, classic rock, swamp pop, and various other musical genres. This not only helped him acquire a good taste in music but also built the foundation for musical diversity within him. He started playing the guitar when he was seven years old and learned the intricacies of his preferred musical instrument for five years. He began singing much later, in his mid-teens. In 2016, he formed the group The Band Hardy with his brother Kyle, cousin Trent, and a couple of their friends. They have performed at various fairs, festivals, and bars.

He would often drive deep into the woods and sing and play his guitar in utter solitude. When he heard the news that ‘American Idol’ was being revived for another season on ABC and they were coming to New Orleans to hold an audition, he thought this could be his chance. He is self-admittedly a shy person and was nervous about performing in front of celebrities like Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie, who were serving as the judges on the revival. His mother spoke to him and helped him calm his nerves.

Hardy gave his audition for the show on October 14, 2017, at Mardi Gras World. He performed Band of Heathens’ ‘Hurricane’ and received positive votes from all three judges. During the Hollywood Round, he made it through the Groups of 10. He was put in a group called The Soul 4's. They sang Justin Bieber’s ‘Love Yourself. Hardy, along with Kaitlann Runnells, survived that subsequent round of eliminations from their group. Hardy was ultimately eliminated in the Showcase Round after performing Lynyrd Skynyrd’s ‘The Ballad of Curtis Loew’.

When he got back to his hometown, he started to put more effort into his music career. In 2018, he put out his debut extended play, ‘In the Bayou’, which is comprised of three songs. He has also released his own line of merchandise.

In October 2018, in the Audition Round of the 17th season, Hardy reappeared to play the guitar for his friend, Ashton Gill, for her audition. After she earned her ticket to Hollywood, the judges implored Hardy to perform for them. He sang The Band’s ‘The Weight’. The judges praised him for his growth since the last time they had seen him and offered him a spot in the Hollywood Round. After initial hesitation, he accepted.

Although Gill was eventually cut off from the competition in the Hollywood Round, Hardy has kept on impressing the judges. He performed the Black Crowes’ ‘She Talks to Angels’ and Bruno Mars’ ‘Grenade’ before advancing to the Showcase Round. He subsequently performed The Beatles’ ‘Come Together’, which got him to the next round. In the Top 20 Round, he sang Sam Cooke’s ‘Bring It on Home to Me’, and ‘The Weight’ (duet with Elle King) to progress to the next round.

Hardy performed Presley’s ‘That’s All Right’ and ‘Hurricane’ in the Top 14 Round, Roger Miller’s ‘Oo-De-Lally’ from ‘Robin Hood’ in the Top 10 Round, and Queen’s ‘Fat Bottomed Girls’ and ‘Jackson’ from ‘Walk the Line’ in the Top 8 Round. He is currently among the top six contestants of this season of ‘American Idol’.

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Family & Personal Life

Laine Hardy was born on September 12, 2000, in Livingston, Louisiana to Barry and Cindy Lou Hardy. Despite his exposure to the world of glamour in recent years, his home life is mostly comprised of “woods, swamp, wildlife.” When he is not singing, he is either hunting or fishing. During his first audition, he also stated that he loves to drive around in his truck. Hardy was a student at French Settlement High School in Louisiana.

Trivia

An avid hunter, Hardy never books any gigs during the hunting season. His preferred quarries are alligators, deer, squirrels, and wild turkeys.

Laine Hardy Biography