Early life[edit]

Thompson was born on April 18, 2002, in Huntington, West Virginia.^[1] He attended Lawrence County High School in Louisa, Kentucky.^[2] Before competing on American Idol, he worked as a construction worker.^[3] He covered songs on his YouTube channel but has also performed his original songs, including "Not a Phase", "Pedestal" and "Heart Painted Black".^[4] He had not intended to try out for American Idol, but his friend, Arthur, signed him up to audition for the show.^[5][6]