In a world where viral sensations come and go like shooting stars, one little girl’s performance has lit up the night sky and refused to fade. Four-year-old Amelia Wigger, hailing from the quaint, close-knit community of Viburnum, Missouri – a speck on the map with just 600 residents – has become an overnight phenomenon. Her heartfelt rendition of Lainey Wilson’s “Somewhere Over Laredo” at a local pageant has not only amassed millions of views across social media platforms but has also earned her a personal shoutout from the country music superstar herself. Dubbed “Mini Lainey” by adoring fans, Amelia’s story is a heartwarming reminder of how raw talent, innocence, and a dash of cowboy flair can captivate the globe.
Adorable Amelia Wigger channeling her inner Lainey Wilson during her viral pageant performance.
To understand the magic behind this viral moment, we must first journey to the heart of Viburnum, a sleepy town nestled in the Ozark Mountains of southeastern Missouri. Known for its mining history – once a hub for lead production – Viburnum today is a place where everyone knows your name, and community events like the annual fall festival serve as the social glue holding it all together. It’s here, amid the autumn leaves and crisp air, that the Tiny Tot Pageant takes place each year. Designed for preschool-aged children, the event celebrates local kids through fun activities, talent showcases, and a touch of friendly competition. For Amelia, this wasn’t her first rodeo; just last year, at age three, she clinched the crown by demonstrating her archery skills, shooting a bow and arrow at a fake deer target. “She’s always been fearless,” her mother, Averie Wigger, shared in an exclusive interview with Country Heartbeat Magazine. “From the moment she could walk, she’s been exploring, singing, and stealing hearts.”
Averie, a dedicated stay-at-home mom, and her husband, a local mechanic, have raised Amelia in a home filled with music. “Country has always been our soundtrack,” Averie explained. “We play Lainey Wilson on repeat – her energy, her authenticity, it just resonates.” Amelia’s love for music blossomed early; by age one, she was humming along to tunes, and by two, she could belt out full choruses. Her ability to memorize lyrics after a single listen is nothing short of prodigious. “She picks it up like a sponge,” Averie said, laughing. “And Lainey? Oh, she’s Amelia’s idol. They both have that blonde hair, love horses, and have this unbreakable spirit. Amelia says she wants to be just like her when she grows up.”
The stage was set for Amelia’s big moment during the 2025 fall festival’s Tiny Tot Pageant. Returning to “retire” her previous crown, Amelia decided to showcase her singing talent. She chose “Somewhere Over Laredo,” a standout track from Lainey Wilson’s critically acclaimed album Whirlwind, released in August 2024. The song, a dreamy mid-tempo ballad that pays homage to the classic “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz, weaves themes of longing, adventure, and chasing dreams across vast landscapes. With lyrics like “Somewhere over Laredo, way out west where the wild winds blow,” it evokes the wide-open spaces of the American Southwest, blending nostalgia with a sense of boundless possibility. For a four-year-old from rural Missouri, it was the perfect choice – a song about dreaming big from a small place.
Amelia’s preparation was meticulous, even at her tender age. She practiced in front of mirrors, family members, and even her stuffed animals, honing her delivery with a confidence that belied her years. On the day of the pageant, she stepped onto the makeshift stage at the community center, dressed to impress in a fringe denim jacket that swayed with every move, pink cowboy boots that added a pop of color, a matching cowboy hat adorned with sparkles, a western belt, and a Lainey Wilson t-shirt peeking out from under her vest. “She wanted to look just like Lainey,” Averie recalled. “We pieced together the outfit from thrift stores and online finds – those pink boots were her favorite part.”
As the music started, the crowd – a mix of proud parents, local folks, and festival-goers – fell silent. Amelia gripped the microphone, her tiny hands steady, and launched into the opening verse. Her voice, surprisingly powerful and laced with a natural twang, filled the room. “Somewhere over Laredo, way out west where the wild winds blow,” she sang, her eyes sparkling under the stage lights. By the chorus, she had the audience hooked, swaying and cheering as she hit the high notes with effortless charm. There were no nerves, no forgotten lines – just pure, unadulterated joy. The performance lasted just a few minutes, but its impact was immediate. The crowd erupted in applause, with some wiping away tears. “It was electric,” one attendee later posted online. “This little girl has star power!”
Averie captured the moment on her phone and uploaded it to TikTok that evening, captioning it simply: “My 4 year old singing Lainey Wilson at our home town pageant Friday night!!” with relevant hashtags like #toddlersoftiktok, #laineywilson, and #countrymusic. What followed was a digital wildfire. Within hours, the video began gaining traction, shared by friends, then strangers, then country music enthusiasts. By the next day, it had surpassed 10,000 views; within a week, it exploded to over 100,000 on TikTok alone, with reposts on Instagram, Facebook, and X pushing the total views into the millions. Comments flooded in: “Mini Lainey in the making!” one user wrote. “I’m not crying, you’re crying – this girl is pure sunshine!” another added. Fans dubbed her “Mini Lainey,” drawing parallels to Wilson’s own rise from small-town roots to Nashville stardom.
But the real magic happened when Lainey Wilson herself caught wind of the clip. The 33-year-old Louisiana native, known for hits like “Things a Man Oughta Know” and “Heart Like a Truck,” has built her career on authenticity, hard work, and connecting with fans. Fresh off her Whirlwind tour, which included sold-out shows across the U.S., Wilson stumbled upon Amelia’s video via social media algorithms. Her reaction was swift and sincere. On TikTok, she commented: “Superstar!! Killlllllled it sister.” She then shared the video on her Instagram story, exposing it to her millions of followers with the caption: “This little gal’s got more heart than most of Nashville. Amelia, you made my week!” The post went viral in its own right, amplifying Amelia’s fame overnight.
Lainey Wilson’s journey to the top of country music provides a poignant backdrop to this story. Born in Baskin, Louisiana, in 1992, Wilson grew up in a farming family, immersed in the sounds of classic country artists like Dolly Parton and Hank Williams. She moved to Nashville in 2011 with dreams of making it big, living in a camper trailer while honing her craft. After years of grinding – playing bars, writing songs, and facing rejection – her breakthrough came with the 2019 single “Things a Man Oughta Know,” which topped charts and earned her ACM New Female Artist of the Year. Albums like Bell Bottom Country (2022) and Whirlwind (2024) solidified her status, blending traditional country with rock influences and empowering lyrics. Wilson’s signature style – bell bottoms, cowboy hats, and fringe – has become iconic, inspiring fans like Amelia to emulate her.
Lainey Wilson, the country superstar who spotted Amelia’s talent and shared her video.
The reaction from Wilson’s camp didn’t stop at social media. Touched by Amelia’s passion, Lainey reportedly reached out personally. According to sources close to the singer, she sent a special care package to the Wigger family, including a signed cowboy hat, a personalized note, and tickets to her St. Louis concert on October 16, 2025, at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre. “Amelia, keep singing your heart out – you’ve got a fan in me,” the note allegedly read. For the Wiggers, it was a dream come true. They attended the show, where Amelia got to see her idol perform live for the first time. “She was mesmerized,” Averie shared. “Singing along to every song, dancing in her seat. It was pure magic.”
The online community exploded with support. Hashtags like #MiniLainey and #AmeliaSings trended, with celebrities and influencers chiming in. Country artist Ashland Craft commented, “This is why we do what we do – inspiring the next generation!” Fans shared their own stories of young talents, creating a wave of positivity. One viral comment read: “In a world full of chaos, Amelia is the sunshine we need.” Media outlets from Country Now to Whiskey Riff picked up the story, praising Amelia’s poise and Wilson’s gracious response.
What does the future hold for this pint-sized prodigy? While Amelia is too young to grasp the full extent of her fame – “She thinks being famous means being on TV like Lainey,” Averie laughed – her family is nurturing her talent gently. Music lessons are on the horizon, and perhaps more pageants or local gigs. “We’re not pushing her,” Averie emphasized. “This is all about fun and following her heart.” Industry experts speculate that with her natural charisma, Amelia could follow in the footsteps of child stars like young Taylor Swift or Billy Gilman.
In an era where social media can make or break dreams, Amelia’s story stands out as a beacon of wholesome joy. From a small-town stage in pink cowboy boots to the digital spotlight, she’s proven that talent knows no age. As Lainey Wilson herself might say, somewhere over Laredo – or Viburnum – dreams really do come true.
