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Thanks to the nudge from Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan, Hardy advanced into the new season and went on to beat Alejandro Aranda in the finale.

Thanks Lionel! https://t.co/h51guuXiL2

— Laine Hardy (@TheLaineHardy) May 20, 2019

Hardy thought of one word to describe each of the famed musicians who mentored him throughout the show.

\"Lionel [Richie], he's wise. Katy [Perry], she's wild,\" he said laughing. And \"Luke [Bryan] is country.\"

The laid back country singer turned fierce competitor with a flare akin to Johnny Cash said he's \"still that person\" he was a year ago.

\"There's no possible way I could change my personality or my mind,\" Hardy said. He added that he is going to stick to his Southern roots and \"still going to do all that stuff\" like going gator hunting and eating crawfish and jambalaya.

Hardy said he's been \"constantly\" moving since the show wrapped but now he's ready to take a breath.

\"I'm going to see my mom and everybody,\" he said. \"I'm going on the river with all my buddies.\"

Hardy said he's going to \"get a little home time in\" and then \"start making music after that.\"

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