Where is Hannah Nicolaisen from? American Idol season 21 contestant has a degree in exercise science

American Idol season 21, episode 4 will air on ABC on Sunday, March 12 at 10:30 pm ET, after the Oscars. The episode will feature a new round of singers giving auditions and trying to qualify for the Hollywood Week round.

24-year-old Hannah Nicolaisen is from Houston, Texas. She is an alumnus of the University of Illinois and performs live music in Montgomery, Alabama.

American Idol auditionee Hannah Nicolaisen aspires to get a master's degree in psychology

Hannah Nicolaisen is a University of Illinois alumnus who plays live music in Montgomery, Alabama.

Hannah used to play Division 2 volleyball at the University of Illinois Springfield, from where she graduated with a degree in Exercise Science IN 2022. Nicolaisen was the director of TEDxUofISpringfield and the Career Peer Student Mentor when she was in college. Hannah quit her 9 to 5 job as an IT recruiter to become a musician. She said in a video:

"I feel like I’m trying to trust my gut a lot. That’s been the theme of the last several months … There’s been some really cool doors and opportunities that have opened up."

Before transferring to the University of Illinois, Hannah studied physics, engineering, and mathematics at Cowley College and Cypress Woods High School in Kansas. Hannah wants a master’s degree in psychology and got engaged to Matheus Telles in December 2022.

Nicolaisen has not released any original music but has uploaded some videos of her songs, like "Chariot," on YouTube and TikTok.

Other auditionees of American Idol season 21, episode 4

The following singers will perform in front of judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan to earn a spot in the competition and ultimately win a $250,000 cash prize. The qualifiers for the audition round will get a Hollywood Week. One lucky performer might even be awarded a platinum ticket, enabling them to select their duet partner and skip Hollywood Week's opening round.

Amara Valerio: A soulful pop singer and student at Cornell University from Yonkers, New York
Cay Aliese: Soul singer-songwriter and graphic designer from Tennessee
Colt Glover: Country singer and student at the Oklahoma State University
Dany Epp: Social media singer from Suffern, New York
Rach Lux Karma: metal singer from Newington
Reette Thorns: Grand Valley State University student from Madison, Wisconsin
Savanna Christian Gainey: Elementary school teacher from Florence, South Carolina
Tripp Taylor: Throwback singer and Carnegie-Mellon student from Florence, South Carolina

Selected American Idol season 21 contestants

The following contestants have been selected for the Hollywood Week round of American Idol:

Adin Boyer from Lake Forest
Aiden Adair from Clover
Alessandra Aguirre from Lima
Ashley Tankard from Durham
Bre Podgorski from Burbank
Caroline Kole from Houston
Elijah McCormick from Raeford
Emma Busse from Vancouver
Haven Madison from Clarksville
Jeverson from Grenada
Jon Wayne Hatfield from Goshen
Kaylin Hedges from Pound Ridge
Keelin from West Islip
Lyric Medeiros from Honolulu
Kya Monee from Austin
Lucy Love from Holly Grove
Megan Danielle from Douglasville
Marybeth Byrd from Armorel
Matthew Wilson from Buffalo
McKayla Stacey from Andover
Michael Williams from Mason
Nutsa Buzaladze from TbilisI
Olivia Soli from Los Angeles
Preston Duffee from Hartsville
Sara Beth from Roseville
Stefan Benz from Johannesburg
Tanner Charles from Broken Arrow
Trey Louis from Santa Fe
Tyson Venegas from Vancouver
We Ani from Harlem
William Tongi from Kahuku
Colin Stough from Amory
Zachariah Smith from Amory

American Idol airs on ABC every Sunday at 8 pm ET.

Edited by Dev Sharma