Redshirt freshman tight end Aubrey Heath had a chance to represent Georgia Southern on a different national stage when he earned a live audition with American Idol last fall, all while playing football for the Eagles.
A self-taught guitar player, Heath started out playing for his friends at school and then at church on Sundays before beginning to write songs from his life experiences. Initially, Heath saw an ad for American Idol on social media before applying in May of 2024. From there a producer reached out and he went through a couple of rounds of virtual auditions.
Here's a first-hand account of Heath's American Idol journey:
"It started in May 2024. I was scrolling through social media when I came across a post asking if anyone wanted to sign up for American Idol. In the back of my mind, I signed up as a joke — because, really, who actually gets to go on American Idol?
"After submitting all my information and videos, I got a call later that same night. The number was from Los Angeles, and to be honest, I don't think I had even met someone west of the Mississippi. I answered, and lo and behold, it was a producer from the show. She said she saw potential in my videos and asked if I could hop on a Zoom call with her. I immediately said yes and jumped on my computer. We ended up talking about life — weirdly — for a couple of hours. Even though the last day of high school was coming up, I didn't want to go to sleep because of the smile stuck on my face.
"A couple of weeks later, she reached out again. This time, she scheduled a Zoom call where I'd play guitar and sing live for three or four producers. I wasn't nervous at all — honestly, it helped me grow. They said they loved my story and where I was in my singing journey, and I was told I'd be advancing to the next round. That was the first time I realized there were "rounds" to this Zoom thing! That process went on for about four months — Zoom call after Zoom call, round after round.
"Around September, the "Winner's Circle" round was next. It was the final round of online Zoom auditions. Without hesitation, I fired up my computer and was shocked to see what felt like every producer and staff member from American Idol on the call. I sang my heart out — in my dorm room, no less — and my roommates probably wanted to kill me for being so loud. As I wrapped up my song, the lead producer suddenly raised her hand to stop me just before the final note. I felt a pit in my stomach — that hand-up usually means bad news. Then, an alert popped up on my screen: "This meeting is being recorded." That's when I started to realize what was happening. She asked me to call my mom and tell her I'd been selected to fly to New York City to audition live for American Idol. I was the happiest kid on earth that day.
"Fast forward to early October. I flew to New York on a Sunday night to get ready for a packed week. From Monday to Thursday, we filmed interviews, did headshots, shot B-roll scenes and practiced. What people don't tell you is that everything has to look like it was filmed in one day — which means wearing the same outfit all week! Friday was audition day. It was wild. We had to be up before 7 a.m., and about 50 of us were still in the running. I entered the building in downtown Manhattan, ready to give it everything I had.
"After three hours of filming, my name was called. When that happens, you head to the rooftop suite to film your reaction and backstory right before your audition. While I was up there waiting, the judges walked past me to head back down to the audition room. I heard a familiar voice shout, "Georgia Southern?" It was American Idol judge, and Eagle alum Luke Bryan, recognizing the school logo on my hat. I shook his hand and got to greet Carrie Underwood and Lionel Richie, too. Looking back, I still wish I had gotten on the elevator with them.
After that moment — and more filming — I headed to the audition room. As I walked in, I was immediately mic'd up, along with my guitar and the family members standing just outside the door. We walked in, and out came Ryan Seacrest. I swear, the man didn't look real — like he didn't have a single flaw. My family got to meet him before I stepped into the room. There was a camera on a cart tracking me as I walked to the "X" on the floor. The room was filled with cameras and lights. The judges looked like wax figures, and the whole set felt like a movie. Time froze for me. In that moment, I flashed back to being a kid, waking up from a nap in 2012 and watching American Idol on the couch — the same show I was now a part of.
"I came back to the present and introduced myself, sharing my story. I talked about the mental battles I've fought and overcome since childhood, and how those struggles helped me become who I am. It all connected back to Georgia Southern and football — and how a senior there helped me realize I wasn't alone. I even wrote a song about our journey — how we became the men we are. I got choked up during the audition. It hit hard, sharing something so personal with the world."
I finished the audition and walked out of that building with the biggest smile I've ever had. My family was by my side, which made the trip even more special. Months later, my audition never aired, but I was still incredibly grateful that I made it to American Idol."
Heath's American Idol journey kept him from being with the team full-time last fall after he left for the audition, but he returned in the spring after redshirting in 2024 and is going through preseason practice with the Eagles.
