*Hailey stands in front of Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan in the “American Idol” audition room.*

When ranking childhood dream jobs, a musician or rock star often makes the top 10. How much fun would it be to sing and play an instrument, and get paid for it? How incredible would it be to audition for “American Idol?” For many, it’s only a dream. But, for some, like Hailey Wright, that dream can become a reality, even at age 17.

Hailey has always had a strong passion for music. Growing up in Redwater, Hailey says that, according to her mother, “as a baby I wouldn’t even sleep at night without music playing. I grew up singing karaoke with my sisters.” Hailey’s main childhood activity was softball, playing in a competitive travel league, but “when I broke my leg sliding into second base playing softball is when I started taking music more seriously.”

*Hailey sneaks in a little guitar playing on the “American Idol” set right before she auditioned for the judges.*

Hailey had received an old pawn shop guitar one Christmas, so after her leg injury, she picked up that guitar. “Things took off from there!” she comments. “My mom encouraged me to go to an open mic night, and several people went live on Facebook while I played. My music career took off after that, and I had two business owners book me for their venues.”

*Even as a youngster, Hailey was interested in music. This photo was taken of her during a talent show.*

Just listening to Hailey belt out a country standard in a rich, throaty voice, one would imagine that she is at least 25, not a 17-year-old high school student. Yet, the gift of this voice and her guitar playing has catapulted Hailey to local fame. “I play mostly in the Texarkana area, but I have also played at The Backyard Social Club in Foreman, Arkansas, as well as in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, at the Hochatown Saloon. I have been very fortunate to open for artists including Kody West and Ricochet!” Hailey also developed her own Facebook page, Hailey Wright Music, where she posts videos of some of her performances and keeps her fans up-to-date.

As Hailey developed a name for herself locally, several people asked whether she had considered auditioning for “American Idol.” Having watched the popular singing competition throughout its years on television, Hailey thought, “Why not?” As she comments, “I never would have imagined it would land me standing face-to-face with Lionel, Luke, and Katy.”

*Singing for the “American Idol” judges was a dream come true for Hailey, and she just might do it again one day.*

The first “American Idol” audition involved speaking to producers and singing on Zoom calls, due to COVID-19 protocols. “After the initial audition,” Hailey explains, “it was a few weeks before I heard back from ‘American Idol.’ When I discovered I had made it and would be moving forward to filming and auditioning in front of the celebrity judges, I was ecstatic! Out of thousands of auditions, getting the honor to be one out of the few hundred artists who auditioned was amazing!”

The next step was to audition in Austin. Hailey describes the process: “When I got there it was exhilarating being around so much talent! Some of the best of the best, undiscovered talents. I can’t even begin to explain what I felt like being in a room with Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan. Lionel Richie was my favorite by far! He just radiated beauty and had a kind and beautiful soul, inside and out!”

*Sisters Amber, Krista, and Hailey have a very strong bond. Since Amber and Krista are essential workers, Hailey calls them “superheroes.”*

Although Hailey did not move forward after the judges’ audition, she has future plans for her music career. She has written some original songs and hopes to release them soon. “I plan to get in the studio soon to see what I can get done, and who knows, maybe I will audition for ‘American Idol’ again or even ‘The Voice!’”

Hailey’s encouraging outlook is no doubt due to the unwavering support from her family. She and her older sisters, Amber and Krista, maintain a strong bond, and Hailey’s love for them shines as she discusses their work. Amber, age 27, serves as a Rapid Response nurse in the Cardiovascular ICU at CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System, while attending college to earn her Nurse Practitioner’s degree. Krista, age 24, works as a part-time dispatcher for 911 at the Bi-State Justice Building and also as a court clerk for Bowie County. “Both of my sisters are superheroes to me, especially being essential workers in our community. I have come to understand the need for medical and legal workers, and what my sisters do is amazing. They have set the bar high for me, being the baby.” The three young women are surrounded with the role model of their mother, Lisa, whom Hailey says, worked tirelessly to raise three “strong, independent women like her. Last year, she had several strokes on the left side of her brain, but she continues to support me and my sisters in every capacity available to her.”

Hailey’s maternal grandparents have also been a wonderful source of support for her. “Poppy (Jack) served 22½ years in the Air Force and worked 36 years at Red River Army Depot. Nana (Janet) has been the glue that has held our family together over the years.” Hailey could also not pursue her dreams without the love and guidance of her father, Floyd, who has worked long hours in the logging industry for Eddie Sullivan. “To say I’m a daddy’s girl is an understatement.” As Hailey explains, “My biological father was a musician, but he was absent in my life and didn’t want anything to do with me growing up so my sisters’ dad, Floyd, stepped up from birth and has cared and loved for me just like both my sisters. Most of the time, I don’t even think about him not being my biological father, and nobody else does either. Floyd has never missed a single ball game or music gig. He has ALWAYS been present in my life and is the biggest blessing I could have ever been given. He chose to love me as his own and has stood by that 100%. When I was younger if someone was to ask, “Where’s your Daddy?” my response was always “wrapped around my finger!” and that is still true! I love him more than I can express.”

Hailey also loves her high school, Premier High School, a charter school in Texarkana. “It has some of the best teachers and staff,” Hailey exclaims, “especially Mrs. McCartney our Superintendent. She is the absolute best!”

When she is not in school, practicing, or playing a gig, Hailey enjoys researching her ancestry. “In 2020, I learned that my great-grandmother was full blood registered Choctaw Indian. I embrace my roots. Many people often ask about my hair being so long. I continue to grow my hair long for my ancestors and my culture. I’ve also taught myself to speak Choctaw and can even sing in Choctaw. My passion is to one day be a voice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women!”

An energetic, giving spirit, combined with sheer musical talent, will pave a bright path for Hailey Wright. Anticipate seeing and hearing this beautiful voice for a long time.

Feature Stories

A Strong Passion For Music