Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Nick Fradiani on the Kelly Clarkson Show earlier this month.

When Ryan Seacrest announced the list of guest performers for Sunday’s American Idol grand finale, one named jumped out at me.

It’s a name recent fans of Idol might not even have recognized: Nick Fradiani.

Nick won Season 14 of American Idol. That’s was in the shows waning days on Fox. When post-show success was no longer guaranteed for an Idol winner. When, in fact, it was proving downright elusive.

Candice Glove and Caleb Johnson preceded him as Idol champs. Trent Harmon followed him. None made much of a splash with their post-show music.

Nick fell victim to the same fate. “Hurricane,” his only album as part of the winner’s label deal, peaked at number 121 on the Billboard 200.

His debut single, “Beautiful Life,” barely cracked the Billboard Top 100.

But in the past two years, Nick has been enjoying career renaissance on Broadway, playing the role of and performing as Neil Diamond in a show called “A Beautiful Noise.”

The show runs through late June at the Broadhurst Theater in New York. And in a recent appearance on the Kelly Clarkson Show, Nick told Kelly it’s been quite the full circle moment.

Nick’s dad was a huge Neil Diamond fan. And Nick’s very first concert, at age 4, was a Neil Diamond show.

“My dad was super proud when I won Idol,” Nick told Kelly. “But when I got to go up on stage and perform my Broadway debut as Neil, he was blown away.”

Anyone wanting to hear how great Nick sounds singing a Neil Diamond song can head to his Instagram for some samples. I’m embedded a snippet of Nick singing “I Am I Said” below.

Nick also took to Instagram to reflect on his upcoming return to Idol.

“9 years ago my life totally changed. It’s been an incredible journey since May 13th of 2015. So many highs and so many lows, but @americanidol taught me so much, especially about work ethic and truly never giving up on a dream,” he writes.

“I loved music and performing back then, but somehow that passion has grown exponentially throughout these 9 years. Sunday night I get to return to the Idol stage and perform almost a decade later. So excited to reconnect with my Idol fam!”

Other performers expected to take the stage during the three-hour Idol finale Sunday include New Kids on the Block, Jason Mraz, Hootie & the Blowfish, CeCe Winans, Wynonna Judd, Seal, Cody Johnson, Bishop Briggs and James Bay.

If Idol follows recent tradition, most will be performing duets with members of the Season 22 cast.

They’ve clearly reunited in Hollywood. In fact, in an Instagram post labed “reunited,” McKenna Faith Breinholt, Mia Matthews and Kaibrienne harmonize beautifully on Lewis Capaldi’s “Wish You the Best.”

So here’s hoping at least the Top 10 return on Sunday!

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