Idol Chatter & Voice Views

From a singing show perspective, the most disappointing effect of the pandemic to me was a shortened Season 18 of American Idol.

The show’s cast was robbed of an opportunity to show what they could do in a normal-length series of live shows on Idol’s big stage.

And Idol had assembled such a talented group of blossoming and about-to-blossom artists in 2020 that I’m sure it would have been special.

One year later, several cast members have already released music. Others are on the verge of doing so. Here’s an update on Season 18’s Top 11.

And I’d be remiss not to add that four other members of last year’s Top 21 have released new music. That includes Kimmy Gabriella (“Like a Fool” and “Before You Go”), Cyniah Elise (“Last Chance”), Nick Merico (“Angel Eyes”) and Lauren Mascitti (“Losing My Mind”).

Now, about that Top 11 …

Just Sam: The Season 18 champ’s only post-show release so far is a cover of “The Christmas Song” with former Season 18 colleague Faith Becnel. She used Samantha Diaz, not her stage name Just Sam, for that release. And Sam’s still sounding a little stunned and surprised, but very much thrilled by her Idol success. After performing at a Michael Kors fashion show in New York and meeting Bette Midler there, she wrote on Instagram: “My life is officially starting to feel like a prank that’s being played on me by the entire world.”

Arthur Gunn: His real name is Dibesh Pokharel and he’s been the Idol runner-up has been the most prolific of the Season 18 Top 11 when it comes to releasing new music. He released a seven-track EP called “Self-Titled” in July, then followed up with a single called “Jalai Mai” in December. The latter has been streamed more than 40,000 times on Spotify. And he’s working on an album and has already posted snippets of two originals that could be one it.

Dillon James: He hasn’t released music yet, but Dillion signed a record deal and moved from Cali to Nashville. About his music, he recently wrote: “new music and new sound comin ur way. Been working on some really dope ideas, going to take this vision to the next level over the next few weeks!” Oh, and he’s posted snippets of several originals on Instagram.

Francisco Martin: He’s released a pair of singles since the show. “Swollen” came out in October; then was re-released in December as a duet with Season 18 colleague Julia Gargano. “Wild Girl” just came out and, like “Swollen,” has an accompanying music video. Writes Francisco: “It was a tough journey trying to get this song where I wanted it to be… I spent months working on the production, trying to get it to sound how I heard it in my head.” Meanwhile, the duet with Julia has been streamed nearly 2 million times on Spotify alone.

Grace Leer: She recently performed some new music she’s been working on during a virtual show and says she plans to do so more often to give “you guys a taste of the music I am creating.” And she’ll be part of a Facebook Live County Now Countdown to American Idol that will also feature performances by Laine Hardy, Laci Kaye Booth and her Season 18 colleagues Louis Knight and Lauren Mascitti. The fun starts at 3 p.m. eastern time on Sunday.

Jonny West: He released a single called “All the Words” in early September, calling it “a little something (to release) while the project marinates.” He writes on social media that he’s “been creating and writing a lot. Hpapy I get to do it at all … Lots to come.”

Jovin Webb: He’s still performing with Captain Green and Bayou Bandits, two bands he fronted pre-Idol. Captain Green released a three-track EP featuring Jovin while Season 18 was still underway. Jovin also recently announced plans to audition for The Voice and to begin posting to TikTok.

Julia Gargano: She announced in August that she’d signed with 19 Recordings and wrote on social media in late January that new music is “right around the corner.” And, of course, she was featured in that romantic duet (“Swollen”) and music video with Francisco Martin.

Louis Knight: He’s already released three singles and a couple of holiday covers since the show. The singles include “Twisted Conversations,” “Save a Little Love” and “London.” The latter was released last month and thee music video drops Sunday (wonder why?). Louis says the song was “inspired by flying back to England to spend the holidays with my family after a breakup a few years ago. Through the hardest of times, i think it can be so important to turn back to your roots and to the people who have always been there to see and help you grow.”

Makayla Phillips: She hasn’t released music yet, but in interview with Celeb Magazine earlier this month, Makayla said she’s working with JoNa Music Group, a production company “writing and producing songs destined to help me secure a record deal.”

Sophia James: She released her debut single, “Somebody New,” in September. “I wrote this one for all the sad souls,” she wrote on social media. “I hope it’s the perfect soundtrack for crying in your car or looking wistfully out the window on a rainy day.” And she promised more new music is on the way.

Editor’s Note: Season 19 of American Idol begins Sunday night at 8 p.m. on ABC.