There are artists who grow into their sound over decades, and then there are artists like Mattie Pruitt, who arrive already knowing exactly who they are. At just 16 years old, the Tennessee-born singer-songwriter is making one of the most compelling cases for the future of country-pop, blending raw emotional honesty with a vocal range that belies her age and a stage presence that stops rooms cold. Fresh off a Top 7 finish on American Idol Season 23, Mattie has wasted no time translating that momentum into a full-scale launch. She is now signed to 19 Recordings in partnership with Graffiti Sound, the creative powerhouse behind some of the industry's most talked-about records, and she is ready to introduce the world to the next chapter on her own terms.
In this interview, Mattie opens up about the moment she knew music was her calling, the artists who shaped her voice, and what it actually felt like to have millions of people discover her almost overnight on American Idol. She talks candidly about the confidence she found through that experience, how it changed the way she sees herself, and why the things that once made her feel like she didn't fit in turned out to be exactly what people connected with most.
She also gives us an inside look at her debut post-Idol single "Hit The Road," including the personal story behind it, what it was like collaborating with Jenna Andrews and Stephen Kirk, and how a spontaneous dance session with her friends turned into one of the most fun and viral moments of her early career. Plus, she shares her vision for the next five years and why, for her, the most exciting part of all of this is still just getting started.
Did you always know you wanted to be a performer, or was there a defining moment, maybe even a particular song, that made you think, this is what I’m meant to do?
I've always known I loved music, but my elementary school talent show was the moment it became something more. I'll never forget standing on that stage and hearing the crowd start clapping and cheering. It was the first time I felt truly seen for something that meant so much to me. I remember walking off that stage with my heart racing, thinking, I want to feel this for the rest of my life. That was the moment I knew I would do whatever it takes to make this my life."
Which artists did you grow up loving, and where can listeners hear those influences in your music today?
I grew up loving so many different kinds of artists, and I think each of them shaped a different part of who I am. Rihanna was a huge influence on me because of her tone, her attitude, and the emotion she brings to everything. She always has a vibe, and even her hype songs still feel honest.
I also spent hours in my room singing artists like Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, and Adele. They have those big, powerful voices, and they really pushed me to challenge myself vocally. That’s something that’s still important to me making sure my music shows different sides of my voice and has range. Then there’s artists like Paramore and Deftones, who inspired more of my moody side. Their music feels emotional and a little darker, and I connect to that a lot. I’ve always loved that feeling of getting lost in a song and just sitting in your thoughts, and I think that shows up in my music too.
Country music is also a huge part of who I am. Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, and Morgan Wallen are some of my favorites. I grew up around that sound, and I naturally have a little bit of that accent, so that influence will always be there. And soul music has always had a special place in my heart. Artists like Etta James and James Brown have so much feeling in their voices. Those are some of my favorite songs to cover because they force you to really feel every word. All of those artists helped shape me, and I think you can hear pieces of each of them in my music.
Your journey on American Idol introduced you to millions almost overnight. What part of that experience felt the most surreal? Did it teach you anything about yourself?
Honestly, it was really surreal, but it also wasn’t the first time I had experienced something like that, because I had already started building a following online before Idol. When my videos first started reaching a lot of people, that was the first time I realized that people connected with me, even if they didn’t know me personally. Idol just put that on a way bigger scale.
I think the biggest thing it taught me was confidence in myself. I had always dreamed about doing this, but being on that stage and seeing how people reacted made me start to really believe that it was possible for me. It made everything feel more real. Growing up, I always kind of felt like I didn’t fully fit in anywhere, and music was the one place where I felt the most like myself. Going through Idol and sharing my music with so many people made me realize that the things that made me different were actually the things people connected to. That gave me a lot of confidence to just be myself and keep going.
If you could go back and give your pre-Idol self one piece of advice, what would it be?
I think I would tell myself to trust my gut more especially when it comes to song choices. There were times I picked songs because I thought people would like them or that they were the ‘right’ choice, instead of just choosing what I genuinely loved singing. I’ve realized that when I sing something I truly connect to whether it’s a different genre, an older song, or something unexpected, that’s when I’m at my best. You can’t fake that feeling. So if I could go back, I’d tell myself to stop overthinking it and just go with what feels right
Was there a fun behind-the-scenes moment during Idol that stands out as especially memorable?
One of my favorite behind-the-scenes moments was on my 16th birthday. I had gone to the studio after school, and when I walked into my room, a bunch of the other contestants were in there waiting for me. They surprised me with balloons and a chocolate bar, and they all started singing ‘Happy Birthday. I honestly started crying, because I wasn’t expecting it at all. It was just so sweet, and it meant so much to me, especially being away from home and my family. It made me realize how close we had all become. It was such a special moment that I’ll never forget.
Congratulations on your new single, “Hit The Road”! Tell us about the song - what makes it feel especially you right now?
Thank you! "Hit The Road’ is really personal to me because I wrote it during a time when I was learning a lot about my worth. It’s about not waiting around for someone to finally choose you, and realizing you can choose yourself instead. I was in a situation where I felt like I was giving everything, and I wasn’t getting that same energy back. Writing this song was kind of my way of taking my power back. It was me saying, I deserve more than this. I think that’s why it feels so much like me right now, because I’ve grown a lot. It represents confidence and knowing who you are, and not being afraid to walk away from something that doesn’t value you. Writing it helped me step into that version of myself
You collaborated with exceptional songwriters Stephen Kirk and Jenna Andrews on this track. What was that creative process like?
I’ve been working really closely with Jenna and Stephen since meeting them during my time on Idol, and every time we create together it’s honestly kind of magical. They’re both so creative, and it’s easy to see why they’ve had so much success. They’ve really helped me grow and reach another level in my own creativity.
‘Hit The Road’ was especially meaningful, because Jenna is so good at understanding emotions, especially from my perspective as a teenager. She made me feel really comfortable opening up about my story and helped turn those feelings into something real and honest in the song. She just has a way of connecting to what you’re feeling, and bringing it to life.
Watching Stephen produce the song was so cool. Seeing how he built the track, added different elements, and shaped the vocals made me realize how much goes into making a song feel the way it does. Hearing all of it come together was such an awesome experience. They’re both amazing in different ways, and I honestly don’t think the song would be the same without both of them. Separately they’re incredible, but together they’re kind of unstoppable. I feel really lucky to be able to work with them and learn from them
We have to ask about the dance - it’s impossible not to smile watching it! Who came up with it? Looks like you’ve gotten a lot of your friends to join in!
Honestly, I felt like ‘Hit The Road’ needed something extra, because every time we listened to it, we couldn’t help but dance. It has this kind of line dance feel to it, so I was like, why not actually make a dance for it? It just felt natural.
So me and my friends got together and started coming up with one ourselves, just for fun, and my team ended up loving it. After that, we brought in a choreographer to add some professional touches, but it really started with just me and my friends in a room dancing to the song. I grew up watching and doing TikTok dances, so being able to now do that with my own song is such a crazy feeling. Seeing my friends be a part of it and watching other people start to learn it too has been one of the coolest and most surreal parts of all of this
How would your friends describe you in three words, and would they get it right?
My friends would probably say I’m determined, confident, and spontaneous. I definitely agree with determined and spontaneous, because when I care about something, I really go for it, and I’m always up for doing something random or fun. Confidence is the one that surprises me, because I don’t always feel confident on the inside. I think a lot of people see me that way, especially when I’m performing, but I still have moments where I doubt myself like anyone else. I think I’m still growing into that confidence, but having people believe in me has helped me start believing in myself more too
When you picture the artist you hope to become over the next five years, what does she look and sound like?
In five years, I hope I’m someone who has really found who I am, both as a person and as an artist. I hope I’ve discovered my sound whether that’s country/pop, or something completely my own. I just want it to feel honest and true to me. More than anything, I hope I’ve built a real connection with my fans. I want to know them, and I want them to feel like they know me too. Having people who have supported me and grown with me over the years would mean everything. I also hope I’ve made a name for myself in a way that makes people feel seen and understood. I want my music to make people feel less alone and remind them that they’re special, because that’s what music has always done for me
What excites you most about what’s ahead - collabs, touring, new music?
Honestly, I’m excited for all of it. There’s so much coming. More shows, maybe even a tour, new music, and collaborations. It still feels kind of unreal, but it makes me really excited for what’s ahead. I don’t know how soon or how much of all of that is going to happen, but what I do know is there’s a lot of new music coming, and I’m so excited about it. I’ve been working really hard, and I know there are definitely some bangers in there. I can’t wait for people to hear them and hopefully roll their windows down and blast them in the car. That’s always been the dream
