With Hollywood Week beginning tonight on American Idol, here’s a look at the guys who received golden tickets over the last four weeks.
Baylee Littrell of American Idol Season 23
Baylee Littrell, 21, Atlanta, Ga., performed an excellent unreleased original “Waiting on Myself to Die” and breezed to Hollywood. He’s the son of Brian Littrell from the Backstreet Boys, and he’s released lots of music, just not the song he sang for the judges. Advanced to showstoppers.
Brajawn Upshaw of American Idol Season 23
Brajawn Upshaw, 21, Temple, Ga., performed “Lovely” by Billie Eilish and Khalid. A mail handler, he said his mom signed him up for the audition. He advanced on a 2-1 vote, with Carrie casting the tiebreaker in Brajawn’s favor.
Bryson Quick of American Idol Season 23
Bryson Quick, 17, Seymour, Tenn., put a country spin on “Time” by Pink Floyd. The judges unanimously voted to send him to Hollywood, then sent him to the Grand Ole Opry for perform with Season 19 champ Chayce Beckham.
Cal Buckley of American Idol Season 23
Cal Buckley, 20, Ontario, Canada was dubbed “a Canadian Elvis” by. We saw just a tiny snippet of his audition during a montage of singers from above the border.
Canaan James Hill of American Idol Season 23
Canaan James Hill, 17, Dallas, Tx., dazzled the judges when he took them to church singing “I Need Your Glory” by Earnest Pugh. The aspiring preacher wound up with the final platinum ticket for Season 23. Automatically advanced.
Carsen Webb of American Idol Season 23
Carson Webb, 16, Granite Falls, N.C., showed up in the audition room with clogging shoes for the judges, then launched into a rendition of “Lose Control” by Teddy Swims that earned him three “yes” votes for a golden ticket. Did not advance.
Che Chesterman of American Idol Season 23
Che Chesterman, 28, Essex, England, performed “Mirror” by Madison Ryann Ward. He advanced to Hollywood with three “yes” votes. He has a singing show pedigree, making the finals on The X Factor UK back in 2015. Advanced to showstoppers.
Crews Wright of American Idol Season 23
Crews Wright, 17, Samson, Ala., performed “Fireman” by George Strait, showing off a strong country voice and a big personality. He even sang a bit with Luke. The judges didn’t even waste time voting. They just handed Crews a golden ticket. Advanced to showstoppers.
Desmond Roberts of American Idol Season 23
Desmond Roberts, 25, Corona, Calif., performed “Beautiful Things” by Benson Boone. Desmond works at the School of Rock in L.A. Luke called him an incredible singer. Lionel said he “invented notes” during the performance.
Ethan Senger of American Idol Season 23
Ethan Senger, 24, Woodstock, Ga., performed “Somebody Like You” by Keith Urban, impressing Lionel with his potential and getting a “yes” from all three judges. Did not advance.
Filo of American Idol Season 23
Filo, 23, Dublin, Calif., performed “Try a Little Tenderness” and brought the judges to their feet. Luke said he “was born to sing” and could be Top 10. Idol later invited him to attend ABC’s New Year’s eve celebration, where he was presented one of Season 23’s three platinum tickets. Automatically advanced.
Freddie McClendon of American Idol Season 23
Freddie McClendon, 19, Greenwood, S.C., performed “You Never Loved Him,” an original from an album about his father’s life, not just his death. His dad was a homicide victim. His performance brought Carrie to tears. Did not advance.
Gabe James of American Idol Season 23
Gabe James, 23, Morrison Co., “Skinny Love” by Bon Ivers: He got three “yeses” in an abbreviated audition. Carrie compared him to Patrick Swayze because of his attire. Gabe wasn’t familiar with Patrick Swayze.
Ian Ward of American Idol Season 23
Ian Ward, 28, San Diego, Calif., sang “I Want to Know What Love Is” by Foreigner. Luke complimented him on a crazy big voice, but said it’s very theatrical. He got yeses from all three judges. He’s already released music. Did not advance.
Insite on American Idol Season 23
Insite, 18, Naples, Fla., performed “Freak on a Leash” by Korn. He teaches at the School of Rock, rocked out on the Idol stage and even gets Carrie to join him for a second song. All three judges gave him a yes. Did not advance.
Isaiah Misailegalu of American Idol Season 23
Isaiah Misailegalu, 17, Las Vegas, Nevada, performed “Song for You” by Donny Hathaway. He’s a high school football player who only started gigging in the past year. Given the quality of his performance, the judges were surprised he didn’t have more experience. Advanced to showstoppers.
Isaiah Moore of American Idol Season 23
Isaiah Moore, 22, Oneonta, Ala., performed “Where the Wild Things Are” just seven days after being married. In fact, he and his wife canceled a Caribbean cruise so he could audition. It paid off; the judges praised an emotional performance Isaiah dedicated to his brother. Advanced to showstoppers.
Jamal Roberts of American Idol Season 22
Jamal Roberts, 26, Meridian, Miss., performed “Mary Jane” by Rick James. He’s a physical education teacher. He sailed to Hollywood on three “yes” votes, though Carrie wants to see him develop more confidence in his impressive vocals ability. Advanced to showstoppers.
Jamier Jones of American Idol Season 23
Jamier Jones, 19, Buffalo, N.Y., performd “Lose Control” by Teddy Swims. It’s a song he went viral with on TikTok. Lionel said he delivered the longest run he’s ever heard. Luke complimented the silky nature of his voice. Did not advance.
John Foster of American Idol Season 23
John Foster, 18, Addis, La., performed “Don’t Rock the Jukebox” by Alan Jackson and “Goodbye Time” by Conway Twitty to advance to Hollywood. The show didn’t mention it, but he’s released a song dedicated to two high-school classmates killed in a high-speed police chase. Advanced to showstoppers.
Josh King of American Idol Season 23
Josh King, 24, Charlotte, N.C., performed “Over the Rainbow” and “My Girl,” showing off a surprisingly deep voice. The judges voted 2-1 to advance him to Hollywood; the “no” came from Carrie. Lionel said he has a “great pop voice.” Advanced to showstoppers.
K’ron Smith of American Idol Season 23
Kam’Ron Smith, 21, Rocky Mount, Va., performed “Pickup Man” by Joe Diffie: He displayed an impressive country voice. Carrie loved the way he made it his own. Lionel loved the character in his voice.
Landynn Kennedy of American Idol Season 23
Landynn Kennedy, 20, Kingstree, S.C., performed “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Raitt. He was abandoned in a hotel room as an infant. Carrie says he has amazing raw talent. Did not advance.
Malik Bilbrew of American Idol Season 23
Malik Bilbrew, 24, Jacksonville, Fla., performed “Remedy” by Adele: He showed up with an emotional support alpaca in miniature. Luke said he loved his voice. We saw just a snippet of his audition.
MKY of American Idol Season 23
MKY, aka Mikey Jimenez, 25, East Los Angeles, Calif., performed “Ooh, Baby, Baby” by Smokey Robinson. He hails from a musical family. He’s released music. And Carrie told him he has the musical tools to do very well on the show. Advanced to showstoppers.
Olivier Bergeron of American Idol Season 23
Olivier Bergeron, 22, Kedgwick, New Brunswick, Canada performed “Save Me” by Jelly Roll. This guy has released lots of music, but all of it is in French. Advanced to showstoppers.
Pat Johnson of American Idol Season 23
Pat Johnson, 25, Stratford, New Jersey, is the longtime Idol fan who wound up playing a game of trivia with Carrie Underwood. Carrie then cast the tie-breaking vote he needed to make it to Hollywood. The lead singer of a band called Floracene, he performed an original called “Need It” for the judges. Did not advance.
Sam Sparks of American Idol Season 23
Sam Sparks, 25, Dardenelle, Ark., performed an original called “Colorado Gray.” Sam was paralyzed from the waist down in an auto accident about two years ago. He says music helped him get through. He got three “yes” votes for a golden ticket. Did not advance.
Shane Dan Turner of American Idol Season 23
Shane Dan Turner, 28, Far Rockaway, N.Y. busk on the subway in New York and has released lots of music. We heard just a couple lines of his audition. Luke voted yes, saying he’s “all in.” Lionel voted no. Carrie broke the tie, sending Shane to Hollywood.
Slater Nalley of American Idol Season 23
Slater Nalley 17, Atlanta, Ga., performed an original called “Traces of You.” He wrote the unreleased song about Carter Davis, the son of his English teacher, who was murdered along with a friend in 2016. The judges didn’t even bother voting before giving Slater a unanimous golden ticket. Advanced to showstoppers.
Sonny Tennet of American Idol Season 23
Sonny Tennet, 25, South Sheilds, UK, was the very first contestant fans met in Season 23, performing on the after-Oscars special. He performed Lionel Richie’s “Easy on Me.” Sonny’s version brought Lionel to his feet and earned the singer a unanimous golden ticket. Advanced to showstoppers.
Thunderstorm Artis of American Idol Season 23
Thunderstorm Artis, 28, Nashville, Tenn., performed an original called “Don’t Let Me Let You Go” on the post-Oscars special and received a standing ovation from the judges. The song is one he released about a year ago. Thunderstorm made the finals on Season 18 (spring 2020) of The Voice. Advanced to showstoppers.
Trent Wright of American Idol Season 23
Trent Wright, 23, Helena, Mont., admiotted he’s never performed in front of people, then sang “Rich Girl” by Hall and Oates. The judges reward his with a unanimous yes for a golden ticket. Advanced to showstoppers.
Victor Solomon of American Idol Season 23
Victor Solomon, 26, Peoria, Ill., performed “Hello” by Lionel Richie. And Lionel said it marked the first time he’s heard someone take “Hello” to church quite like that. He predicted Victor will be Top 20. In 2021, Victor made the finals on The Voice. Advanced to showstoppers.
Will Carter of American Idol Season 23
Will Carter, 24, St. John’s, Newfoundland performed an original called “Dreams.” The song was inspired by his mom, who died of breast cancer. She was a big fan of the show and always encouraged him to do something with his musical talent.
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