Zachariah Smith stepped onto a stage in Nashville, the air thick with anticipation. His choice of song, “Hurts So Good” by John Mellencamp, resonated deeply with the judges, all three of whom voted “yes”. From that moment, Zachariah’s journey unfolded like a musical rollercoaster. Hollywood Week saw him tackle his self-doubt as he sang “Cold as Ice” in the first round and entertained audiences with a playful duet featuring “Body Roll Boys” alongside Isaac Brown, performing “I’m Still Standing.” Despite a few lyrical fumbles, his tenacity propelled him toward a spot as a Top 26 finalist.

As the competition progressed, Zachariah effortlessly hopped among a lineup of classic hits, belting out songs like “Lucille” by Little Richard and “I Want to Know What Love Is” by Foreigner. Each performance seemed pivotal, and yet, one can’t help but ponder—did he realize how much the audience adored him, or was he simply pushing through the pressure? His celebratory rendition of “Hold the Line” after reaching the Top 12 was a testament to his grit and growing confidence.

Yet, with each week that passed, the stakes escalated. He braved another round with “Don’t Bring Me Down,” sealed his fate with Lionel Richie’s selection of “Wanted Dead or Alive,” and offered an emotional performance of “Ironic”. There was a sense of hesitation in the air, as if Zachariah was acutely aware that every triumph wove a complicated story that might just unravel at any moment.

The path bent sharply during his last performance, where he sang “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” from The Lion King and the nostalgic “Life is a Highway”. Ultimately, he found himself among the lowest voters—an odd twist, considering the energy he had poured into every note. Elimination came just when it seemed his journey of exploration was only beginning, leaving one to wonder about the roads yet untaken and the music still unsung.