After 6 weeks of episodes, the American Idol 2023 auditions are finished! Next week, the action moves to Hollywood for a two part episode that will air on Sunday April 2 and Monday April 3. Night one will feature seven fan favorite alums who returned to mentor the contestants. (Read our Recap)
As far as this week is concerned, a few notable items:
So…I guess Laine Hardy is no longer canceled? Did he work out his legal issues to the satisfaction of American Idol producers? The last time we left off with the season 17 winner, he had been arrested for stalking and wiretapping his girlfriend. That’s some pretty weird stuff! Regardless, finding him back in front of the judges was not on my Idol bingo card.
Also, fans might remember season 15 finalist Avalon Young excitedly posting about her return to American Idol. As it turns out, Idol producers did NOT air her audition afterall. And noticeably, at some point, Avalon deleted her announcement off of Instagram–probably after learning that her audition would not air. Avalon acknowledged her absence from the show in a series of photos, letting her fans know that she’s OK regardless.
Fans wonder how a former finalist could return and then not appear on the show. Avalon is a talented singer, but producers likely brought her back to highlight her cancer battle. There is no reason to bring back a contestant who recently (2016) placed in the Top 10 other than to feature a dramatic backstory. For whatever reason, the show decided not to use hers.
This weeks auditions: My favorites were Kaeyra, Mikenley Brown, Cam Amen, and Oliver Steele. How about you?
VOTE VOTE VOTE.
