Colin Stough has American Idol victory in view after he advanced to the Top 3 of the competition alongside Megan Danielle and Iam Tongi. “If I did become the next American Idol, we’ll have a bomb-ass album and it’ll be great!” Colin discussed his plans if he won. “I can tell you that.”

Colin lives with his mother, stepfather, and two dogs in Gattman, Mississippi

Colin Stough was born on 28th July 2004 to Nara Johnson Goza. His biological father chose drugs and alcohol over the family, Colin told American Idol. 

“My dad, he really ain’t never been there,” Colin said. “He chose alcohol and drugs over me and mom, and, man, that’ll just kill a family, you know?” 

Nara and Colin left his biological father, moving to Nara’s native home in Gattman, Mississippi. Gattman, a small village near Amory, Mississippi, hosts Colin’s grandparents, aunt and uncle, and cousins. “I feel connected to this place because there’s so much history here, you know?” Colin said. 

Colin thanked his family for welcoming him and Nara back. “It’s hard to find people that will give you the shirt off their back,” Colin stated. “I know right here in this Gattman circle, any of them will do it for anybody.”

Colin lives with Nara, his stepfather Bunky, and their two dogs. He said that rearing horses taught him an important life lesson. “I used to have a really bad problem about just holding on to everything. And that’s what horses teach me, just to let go of it. It’s kind of like you can talk to them but you don’t say nothing and neither do they,” Colin said.

Colin’s mother signed him up for American Idol

Nara said after Colin’s audition that he was 5 when he asked for his first guitar. “Now we’ve got a house full of guitars,” Nara told the judges. “I listen to guitar playing and singing all day and night, pretty much.”

Nara recognized Colin’s talent and signed him up for American Idol, much to the excitement of Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie. “Colin is exactly what we hope and dream for at American Idol,” Luke told Nara and Colin. “Somebody that’s just raw, real, [and] humble. Thank you so much for signing him up.”

On Mother’s Day 2023, Colin posted a series of Instagram photos featuring his mom, including an image of matching Godspeed tattoos drawn on his and Nora’s arms. He captioned the post:

“Happy Mother’s Day to this special lady here thank you for all the blessings and all the hard work you’ve put in to raise me right. Love you momma.”