After a week’s worth of tryouts, Dixie Idol’s winner was finally announced Wednesday.
Cassidy Tippers, a senior business administration major from Mapleton, said DSUSA held the competition to kick of D-Week and give students the opportunity to showcase their singing abilities. The first round started March 29 with 20 contestants, and the top three finalists were chosen Monday. For the previous rounds, DSUSA calculated the ballots after it ended and announced who made it through to the next round on social media. However, this year’s Dixie Idol winner was announced during the show.
For the big finale, the contestants had to choose one song from the rhythm and blues musical genre.
Kimi Gubler, a senior music education major from Visalia, California, was the first contestant to take the stage to sing “Halo.”
“I honestly didn’t think I would make it past the first round [because] I sing classical voice and it’s not usually what people are expecting to hear,” Gubler said. “I’m not used to doing anything besides musical and broadway, so it has been out of my comfort zone.”
Gubler won third place, taking home a giant $100 check.
Sara Warr, a senior communication major from Cottonwood Heights, was the second performance of the night. Warr said her family drove all the way down just to hear sing in Dixie Idol. Before singing “Put Your Records On,” Warr said she chose this song because it makes her feel relaxed and not worry about life for a few minutes.
“I have to put my worries aside because I know how big the power of the brain is,” Warr said. “If you fill your thoughts with positivity, it is amazing what you can do with that.”
Cory Matthewson, a sophomore medical radiography major from Las Vegas, was the last finalist to go on stage and sing “Jealous.”
After his performance ended, everyone in the audience received ballots to vote for the singer of their choice.
As Matthewson and Warr stood on stage, the announcer said Matthewson won this year’s Dixie Idol and took home a $250 check.
Ryan Huskins, a senior media studies major from Las Vegas, said he was delighted for Matthewson.
“I have known Cory for a long time,” Huskins said. “I was rooting for him.”