IU freshman heads to Hollywood for American Idol

Meggie Iyer has been chasing her dreams since the age of four — and now, they’re finally coming true.

Iyer is a freshman at Indiana University studying business, but prior to her arrival in Bloomington, she applied to be on American Idol. Her first two auditions didn’t go anywhere, but this past fall, Iyer got a call.

It was a call saying that she would be given the opportunity to audition in front of Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan in Georgia.

It was a no-brainer for her. This had been the dream ever since she was a child singing along to Bollywood movies. She knew she had to take this chance, even if it meant sacrificing stability so soon into her college career.

So she flew out to Georgia with her family, all the while not being able to confide in her friends during this life-changing experience. She had to formulate excuse after excuse, but her friends were getting concerned.

She would have to be alone for Zoom calls and leave the state for the audition.

But when she got to Georgia and was in front of the judges, it all clicked for her. She was nervous, yet excited. She knew that, if given the chance, she would impress them.

And she did.

After her performance, the judges were immediately in awe. After joking around with Iyer, they announced that she would move onto the next round and head to Hollywood.

No one but Iyer knows what’s happened since, or what’s to come. Her friends, family and the city of Bloomington are all supporting the freshman during this unique experience.

Her childhood dreams are coming true, and there’s more to come. Iyer will head to Hollywood in hopes of earning a record deal at the end of it all, but her true goal is simply to remain true to herself.

She’s an emotional artist who has used music as a tool throughout her life and she wants the judges to see that and accept her for it.

The opportunities are blossoming for Iyer, as she was also just announced to be performing in Bloomington this April during the Hoosier Country Jam festival. To watch Iyer’s journey, tune in to American Idol on Sunday night’s on ABC.