Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Kolbi Jordan of American Idol Season 23

Kolbi Jordan is among the artists who auditioned for Season 23 of American Idol.

American Idol returns Sunday, March 9 with Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie returning as judges. They’ll be joined by Carrie Underwood, who replaces Katy Perry.

Here’s more about Kolbi.

* She’s a 25-year-old singer and performer from Tulsa, Oklahoma, and we already know she made a grand impression on the American Idol judges.

* She auditioned in Nashville, Tenn., on Nov. 2 and earned a golden ticket. The next day, she was invited to sing “Lady Marmalade” at the Tennessee Titans home game against the New England Patriots.

* After finishing the song, Kolbi was joined on the field by Ryan Seacrest and all three Idol judges. Ryan announced that they’d decided her golden ticket was worth an upgrade and presented her with one of Season 23’s three platinum tickets.

* Kolbi broke down at tears at the news. The ticket allows her to skip the first round of Hollywood Week. “I’m so blessed. I’m so grateful,” she told ABC affiliate WKRN. “I’ve worked so hard. And to be seen like I’m being seen is amazing. Insane.”

* According to multiple online bios, Kolbi has been singing and performing since she was young and began leading the praise team at her church when she was 11 years old.

* She also toured the Tulsa region, singing praise and worship with a gospel group called “All Shades of Gospel.”

* A 2016 graduate of Union High School, she sang the national anthem at her high school graduation ceremony.

* She’s also been heavily involved with musical theater in the Tulas area, playing major roles in Shrek, Mary Poppins and Newsies.

* Last year, she played the role of Asaka, the beautiful Mother of Earth, in Theatre Tulsa’s production of “Once On This Island.”

* Judging from her social media, a turning point for Kolbi came in 2021, when she decided to take control of her own life rather than allowing herself to be controlled by others. She called the altered attitude “life changing … I feel comfortable in this body. I feel comfortable in my skin. I truly embody who I am. Finally.”

* And as 2024 dawned, she seemed determined to focus more on her music, writing on Facebook: “Time to stop playing. I am an artist. Music is in my veins. Fear BE GONE. 2024: I plan to make it a point to be more consistent in my dreams. Singing is not my hobby. It is my gift and music is a huge chunk of my story. I want to share my creativity. Therefore, don’t expect perfection. Expect me.”

Kolbi on social media:
Instagram
TikTok
Facebook
YouTube

@kokogwen Why haven’t I put up my curtains 🫣 #fyp #yebba #foryou ♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys – Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey