The record-high heat on Wednesday didn’t stop hundreds of fans from heading to the downtown Square to welcome American Idol top 3 finalist Breanna Nix home.
Denton rolled out the red carpet as our hometown star returned for a hero’s welcome after securing her spot in the Top 3 on American Idol this past sunday.
In a day packed with celebration, Nix was honored in front of fans, friends, and supporters. The festivities began with a meet and greet at 9 a.m. at the beloved Beth Marie’s Ice Cream on the Denton square, where two new flavors—Nix’s Road and Nix’s Fix Sundae—were unveiled in her honor.
But the biggest surprises were still to come.
A lively parade followed the ice cream meet and greet at 4:30 p.m., weaving through the Denton Square with appearances by the Denton High School band and Fillies drill team, the University of North Texas cheerleaders, and Texas Woman’s University. The streets buzzed with excitement as Nix waved to cheering fans and took in the emotional homecoming.
Later Wednesday evening, the Square transformed into a concert venue where Nix performed three songs in front of a packed crowd on the courthouse lawn. The performance was filmed and will air on Sunday, May 18th’s episode of American Idol as part of the show’s Hometown Visits.
Before filming the concert, Breanna Nix was presented with a star on the Denton Arts Walk of Fame by the Downtown Denton foundation, where her name will be placed on Hickory Street among other Denton artists like Bravo Combo and Margo Jones.
Mayor Gerard Hudspeth officially proclaimed Wednesday, May 14, 2025 as Breanna Nix Day in Denton and presented her with a key to the city, recognizing her as a shining example of local talent and perseverance.
That evening, the Square transformed into a concert venue where Nix performed two songs in front of a packed crowd. Nix performed Andra Day’s “Rise Up”, Martina McBride’s “Independence Day” and the song she auditioned with on American Idol, Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus Take the Wheel”.
Now, all eyes turn to the final stretch of the competition. Supporters are encouraged to vote for Breanna Nix to help her become the next American Idol. Each fan gets 30 votes per episode—10 via text, 10 through the American Idol app, and 10 at AmericanIdol.com.
Breanna Nix’s voice has captured America’s attention, and Denton is proudly standing behind her. Don’t miss Sunday’s episode—and don’t forget to vote!
As the sun set, the square transformed into a concert venue where Nix performed two songs in front of a packed crowd. The performance and parade was filmed and will air on Sunday, May 18, 2025’s episode of American Idol as part of the show’s Hometown Visits. It will air at 7 p.m. on WFAA-TV ABC and stream the next day on Hulu.
