From Monroe, Louisiana, 22-year-old artist Clara Rae has been chasing music her entire life. With the support of her family and her deep faith, Rae took that passion to American Idol. After years of auditioning, she finally hit her mark in November 2024, earning three yeses and a golden ticket to Nashville.
In a phone interview, Rae explained what motivates her to keep pushing forward.
‘I don’t have to be Taylor Swift to feel fulfilled,’ Rae said. ‘I have so much fun with what I do. I loved it before Idol. I’ve been gigging full time for about seven years now.’”
For Rae, music has never been just a business — it’s been an answered prayer. She credits her faith in Jesus Christ as her anchor and said that staying grounded spiritually is what carries her when life feels uncertain.
Family has also been a constant influence in Rae’s career.
“My dad got me my first guitar, and we would write songs together,” Rae said.
She spoke fondly about her childhood memories with her father, siblings and grandfather, and the way those relationships shaped her music. Rae added that her time in choir, from second grade through her sophomore year of college, played a major role in developing her voice. She credits her choir director, Jarrod Richey, as a lasting influence.
Rae described American Idol as more than a competition. For her, it became a source of confidence.
‘It’s easy to believe your family when they tell you that you have a nice voice,’ Rae said. ‘But hearing it from complete strangers means more because they aren’t obliged to say it.’
Rae is now preparing to move to Nashville, Tennessee, with a close friend she met through Idol. She said surrounding herself with other artists who share her drive makes the city feel like a second home. She has already built friendships she believes will last a lifetime.
Back home, fans are eager to see what Rae does next. She will perform Sept. 25 at Enoch’s Irish Pub in downtown Monroe, bringing her journey full circle to the place where it all began. For ULM students and the Monroe community, Rae’s story shows that perseverance, faith and family can take local talent to a national stage
