About
Jillian Jensen is a 33-year-old singer-songwriter based in Tennessee who has been performing on stage since the age of two. Known for her distinct raspy voice and wide musical range, Jillian embodies the spirit of a true artist. Classically trained in piano and guitar, she also plays ukulele, rhythm mandolin, and bass guitar.
In 2007, Jillian was crowned Miss Massachusetts Teen America, where her passion for community service and music earned her a place at the national level. Her platform, The Magic of Music, raises funds to provide scholarships and instruments to individuals who wish to pursue music but lack the financial resources to do so.
Jillian made her television debut in September 2012 on FOX’s The X Factor USA, stunning the judges—including Simon Cowell—with her emotional rendition of Jessie J’s “Who You Are.” Judge L.A. Reid praised her rare ability to pour lived experience and pain into her performance, calling it exactly what the music business is about. The audition quickly went viral, garnering millions of views and introducing Jillian to a global audience who connected deeply with her story. Coached by Demi Lovato, one of her longtime idols, Jillian advanced to the Top 24 that season.
In April 2020, her audition resurfaced on X Factor Global’s Facebook page, amassing over 300 million views.
Following The X Factor, Jillian began speaking at schools across the United States, addressing important topics such as anti-bullying, depression, eating disorders, self-harm, and mental health awareness.
In 2013, Jillian attended a private Ed Sheeran performance hosted by WBLI in Long Island, New York. During the Q&A, she jokingly asked if she could sing with him—only to be invited on stage to perform his then-new single, “Lego House.” Ed later remarked that although he was often asked to do this, it was the first time it had ever worked.
Later that year, encouraged by family and friends, Jillian auditioned for Season 13 of American Idol, earning a spot in the Top 30 with her original song, “In Your Arms.” In 2014, she released a solo album of all original music, featuring “In Your Arms” as a bonus track.
As she continued to grow artistically and move beyond the reality-TV label, Jillian adopted the stage name Amber Eyes. Shortly thereafter, she was recognized by Katy Perry in Glamour Magazine’s “You Sang My Song” segment after a powerful cover of “Unconditionally,” performed alongside fellow American Idol alum Brielle Von Hugel.
In March 2018, Jillian collaborated with Postmodern Jukebox on a cover of Halsey’s “Bad at Love,” which led to her joining their tour in April and May of that year.
In September 2018, Jillian formed her own country band under the name Amber Eyes. The band quickly gained momentum and was invited by Matthew Ramsey of Old Dominion to open for OD, Jordan Davis, and Mitchell Tenpenny at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion. They also had the privilege of performing at the Zac Brown Band concert pre-party at Fenway Park through Country 102.5.
In 2007, Jillian was crowned Miss Massachusetts Teen America, where her passion for community service and music earned her a place at the national level. Her platform, The Magic of Music, raises funds to provide scholarships and instruments to individuals who wish to pursue music but lack the financial resources to do so.
Jillian made her television debut in September 2012 on FOX’s The X Factor USA, stunning the judges—including Simon Cowell—with her emotional rendition of Jessie J’s “Who You Are.” Judge L.A. Reid praised her rare ability to pour lived experience and pain into her performance, calling it exactly what the music business is about. The audition quickly went viral, garnering millions of views and introducing Jillian to a global audience who connected deeply with her story. Coached by Demi Lovato, one of her longtime idols, Jillian advanced to the Top 24 that season.
In April 2020, her audition resurfaced on X Factor Global’s Facebook page, amassing over 300 million views.
Following The X Factor, Jillian began speaking at schools across the United States, addressing important topics such as anti-bullying, depression, eating disorders, self-harm, and mental health awareness.
In 2013, Jillian attended a private Ed Sheeran performance hosted by WBLI in Long Island, New York. During the Q&A, she jokingly asked if she could sing with him—only to be invited on stage to perform his then-new single, “Lego House.” Ed later remarked that although he was often asked to do this, it was the first time it had ever worked.
Later that year, encouraged by family and friends, Jillian auditioned for Season 13 of American Idol, earning a spot in the Top 30 with her original song, “In Your Arms.” In 2014, she released a solo album of all original music, featuring “In Your Arms” as a bonus track.
As she continued to grow artistically and move beyond the reality-TV label, Jillian adopted the stage name Amber Eyes. Shortly thereafter, she was recognized by Katy Perry in Glamour Magazine’s “You Sang My Song” segment after a powerful cover of “Unconditionally,” performed alongside fellow American Idol alum Brielle Von Hugel.
In March 2018, Jillian collaborated with Postmodern Jukebox on a cover of Halsey’s “Bad at Love,” which led to her joining their tour in April and May of that year.
In September 2018, Jillian formed her own country band under the name Amber Eyes. The band quickly gained momentum and was invited by Matthew Ramsey of Old Dominion to open for OD, Jordan Davis, and Mitchell Tenpenny at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion. They also had the privilege of performing at the Zac Brown Band concert pre-party at Fenway Park through Country 102.5.
- On September 10, 2019, Amber Eyes released their self-titled debut album, which charted at #69 on the Top 100 iTunes Country Chart.
- On June 3, 2021, the band released the music video for “Will You Listen Anyway,” the title track from their 2021 EP.
- On June 15, 2023, they released their EP This Is the Best of Me, featuring one of their favorite releases to date, This Is Me—a sassy, feel-good country anthem inspired by the bold, confident energy of Shania Twain.
- Most recently, Amber Eyes released the single What If, a deeply personal song for Jensen that marks the next chapter in her evolving musical journey.
Copyright © 2015
