[49] After it was reported that she had doubts about staying on in the show but Ryan Seacrest had talked her out of it,[50] her fellow contestant Katelyn Epperly revealed that Crystal texted: "I'm fine...betrayed by Seacrest!" He had a good sized following on YouTube prior to auditioning on Idol. American Idol has served as a platform for several budding singers and helped them build a career in the entertainment industry. He attended South Paulding High School, and graduated in 2017. He was saved by the judges when he became the lowest vote-getter on April 7, 2010, but finally he was eliminated at fourth place on May 12. In 2002 Dunkleman appeared as the co-host with Ryan Seacrest during the first season of American Idol. His is married and his daughter was born during Hollywood round, and the unfolding drama of his wife's labor was heavily featured during the Hollywood round where he performed John Mayer's "Waiting on the World to Change". In 2018, he auditioned to season 16 of American Idol with the song "If It Hadn't Been for Love" from The SteelDrivers. Aaron Kelly (born April 2, 1993 in Davenport, Florida, 16 years old at the start of the show) is from Sonestown, Pennsylvania and auditioned in Orlando, Florida as a winner from American Idol Experience at Disney's Hollywood Studios. She was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was six, and while on the show, she suffered diabetic complication and was hospitalized which resulted in the Top 20 performance nights for the male and female contestants being switched. What? This led to criticism of bias in favor of white contestants. Tim Urban (born May 1, 1989 in Tacoma, Washington, 20 years at the time of the show) is from Duncanville, Texas and auditioned in Dallas, Texas with Matt Nathanson's Bulletproof Week. This season of American Idol was the top show for the 2009–10 season of broadcast primetime shows. Monday, May 18. [39], The semi-final eliminations of early favorites Alex Lambert, Katelyn Epperly and Lilly Scott before the Top 12 stunned bloggers and viewers. Willie first went viral when he sang Rihanna’s Diamond at the age of 18. Andrew Garcia (born October 8, 1985 in Moreno Valley, California, 24 years at the time of the show) auditioned in Los Angeles with Maroon 5's "Sunday Morning". It initially aired on Fox from June 11, 2002 to April 7, 2016, for 15 seasons. He was adopted by his aunt and uncle at 5. in a text message to her. Edie Falco to Play Hillary Clinton in FX's Impeachment: American Crime Story. This season had the fewest non-white finalists. Auditions had begun on June 14 of the previous year, less than a month after previous season's finale. Welcome to the official YouTube channel for American Idol on ABC! His performance has since become a viral hit, and several celebrities performed the song in the days that followed the original airing of his audition in Atlanta. He performed professionally after finishing school, but suffered a serious motorcycle accident when he was 21. [9] Two songs from the EP, "Left of Me" and a cover of Post Malone's song "Better Now" were first released in January 2019. Multiple contestants from this season were signed to record deals, including winner Lee DeWyze, runner-up Crystal Bowersox, finalists Casey James, Michael Lynche, and Siobhan Magnus. Siobhan Magnus (born March 15, 1990 in Barnstable, Massachusetts, 19 years at the start of the show) is from Cape Cod, Massachusetts[35] and auditioned in Boston, Massachusetts with Queen's "Love of My Life". He had performed from a young age, and was a finalist on PAX-TV's America's Most Talented Kid at the age of 11. () March 2, 1999 (age 21) Dallas, Georgia, United States: Genres: Country: Occupation(s) Singer: Years active: 2016–present: Website: calebleehutchinsonmusic.com: Caleb Lee Hutchinson (born March 2, 1999) is an American singer-songwriter, and runner-up on the sixteenth season of American Idol. [3] Cowell, DioGuardi and DeGeneres all left the show after this season ended, although only Cowell's departure was announced in advance. About this product. Her Hollywood performance of Aretha Franklin's "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" impressed the judges and fellow contestants alike. Many of the controversies have centered on the show's voting process and results, and in later seasons, gender bias against female contestants, as well as contestant comments. Its Tuesday and Wednesday episodes occupied the top two spots of the season. During the season, he sang "Die a Happy Man" (Top 24), "Midnight Train to Memphis" (Top 14), "You've Got a Friend in Me" (Top 10), "When Doves Cry and "Amazed" (Top 7), "So Small" and "Stars in Alabama" (Top 5) qualifying for the shows' finale.