Hunter Elizabeth, a powerhouse vocalist and actress raised in small-town Montana, has transformed personal trials and community theater roots into a multifaceted artistic journey. From American Idol to TV roles and songwriting success, she blends resilience, authenticity, and soulful storytelling.
Growing up in a small town in Montana, how did your environment shape your love for music and performance at such a young age?
Our town was so small that everyone in school was asked to audition for the musicals. Musical theater played a significant role in my childhood. That catapulted me into performing and singing. My parents also have excellent musical taste, so I got to listen to John Denver, Aretha, and The Temptations in the house.
You’ve played iconic roles like Liesl and Maria in The Sound of Music. How did performing in community theater help you evolve as a vocalist and storyteller?
Yes, I’ve played both Liesl and Maria! I love that musical; it’s so much fun. Theater taught me everything! How to sing and act, of course, but it also gave me a sense of community and skills to be an excellent communicator and public speaker. Every kid should try out theater; it teaches you a great deal.
What were the most memorable lessons you took away from competing on American Idol and The Voice, and how did those experiences influence your career path?
The most memorable lesson from those shows was somewhere in my moments with my vocal coaches. Romeo Johnson was one of my favorite vocal coaches. I learned many valuable lessons from him, but the most important one he gave me was to be confident in my skills and abilities when performing. I had a considerable self-confidence issue when I was younger, and he instilled the confidence in me I needed.
Landing your first TV role in Spare Me must have been exciting! How did it feel to have the writers change the role to showcase your singing?
Aww Spare Me! Yes, it was my first leading role; I was so excited about it. So nervous. Wanting to do so well. It was an incredible gesture for them to adjust the script to showcase my skills. I was so flattered and humbled. I had a great relationship with the director, Dave Whatley, who was very collaborative, which is every actor’s dream. I was a super happy girl.
From performing at The Nice Guy for A-list audiences to writing songs for shows like The Bachelorette and Love Island — how do you balance commercial appeal with staying true to your sound?
The balance for me comes from constantly researching the Billboard top 100 and what pop music sounds like, while also still listening to the oldies and soul records that I love and getting inspiration from both. Being a good songwriter is about learning, while still staying true to yourself and your ideas.
You’ve collaborated with talents like Lukas Nelson and Nash Overstreet. How do these collaborations come together creatively, and what makes a co-writing relationship work for you?
Well, Lukas and Nash are not only some of my favorite people to write with, but they’re also two of my closest friends. For me, I looooove to collaborate with my friends. It’s always fun and comfy, and it’s so easy to be free and loose. My best material has almost always come from collaborations with friends. The album I’m releasing next month is a beautiful collaboration with my dear friend David Ryan Harris. We had a great time making it together.
The Palisades Fire was such a devastating experience. Can you talk about how that trauma reshaped your perspective both personally and artistically?
Ugh, my poor little house! It was devastating. After moving through the sadness and grief of it all, losing everything was cleansing. It was a massive reminder that things and money don’t matter; it’s the people around you and the memories you make that matter. My heart breaks for my house, my neighbors, and my community. I am so grateful we didn’t lose anyone. People are what make life’s experience worth living, not things.
You’ve turned pain into purpose. How has your approach to writing and performing changed since that event?
For some reason, losing everything took the pressure off? In a way? I had nothing tying me down; I had nothing to lose. I gained a new sense of confidence and reassurance that nothing is the end of the world. I carry myself with more freedom and more grace for life’s mess-ups and mistakes.
As a personal trainer at Rise Movement and someone who loves swimming and Pilates, how does your fitness lifestyle support your music and overall well-being?
I’m not a personal trainer, but I do train at Rise Movement. I LOVE GOING TO THE GYM. The head coach and owner, Jason Walsh, is the best of the best. He makes working out fun, and I become firm when I stay consistent with my training. And the high I feel in the car ride home after a heavy workout is so addictive. I swear, if I don’t work out, my whole being changes. I’m just a healthier, happier, better human when I take care of my body.
With so many facets to your life—performer, songwriter, survivor—what’s the core message you hope people take away from your journey?
I’d like people to feel the truth that it’s never too late to start again or change course. Life can knock you down in the most dramatic, unfair, and even traumatic ways, but there’s always beauty in the rebuild. My message is that vulnerability is strength, reinvention is power, no matter how messy, and your story is always worthy. I hope that when people hear my music or learn of my journey, they feel less alone and more inspired to keep going.
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