The American Idol alum will drop his new single “Why You Texting Me” May 21
American Idol judges may not mentor the contestants, but that doesn’t mean they can’t help nurture their music careers after the season is over. Case in point! Katy Perry announced on Friday that she signed American Idol season 16 alum and animated movie star, Michael J Woodard to her Capitol Records imprint, Unsub Records.
“HYPED to announce the 3rd signing to @unsubrecords @MICHAELJWOODARD,” the pop singer wrote on Twitter. “I’ve melted over his voice since the 1st season of @AmericanIdol & am so honored to help nurture n mentor his artist journey.”
The song, “Why You Texting Me” is out May 21 (The Friday before the American Idol finale!) and can be pre-saved now.
Michael’s Hollywood performance had Katy throwing her chair
Michael wowed the judges in his 2018 Hollywood solo round with a performance of “Maybe This Time” from the musical Cabaret. In the clip below, Katy keeps exclaiming “Oh my gosh!” throughout his performance. Eventually she screams. And then she tries to throw a chair. Dangerous! “WHERE THE HECK DID HE COME FROM!” she finally said. “I feel like a star was born.” Watch all of his American Idol performances HERE.
Eventually, Michael advanced to the Top 10, where he was eliminated with Cade Foehner at the Top 5. Maddie Pope would go on to win the season with Caleb Lee Hutchinson and Gabby Barrett as the first and second runners up, respectively.
Michael stars in the new Netflix animated musical Arlo the Alligator Boy
Recently, Michael played the lead role in the Netflix animated movie musical Arlo the Alligator Boy, which premiered on the streaming network April 16. In it, he plays a half boy/half alligator who heads to New York City in search of his father. Mary Lambert also stars.
oh, to be in rehearsal with ARLO THE ALLIGATOR BOY's effortlessly talented @MichaelJWoodard and @marylambertsing pic.twitter.com/aqa9OExxxh
— NetflixFilm (@NetflixFilm) April 24, 2021
For his part, Michael could not be happier to team up with Katy. “OK GUYS. I’m so excited to officially announce that I am part of the @unsubrecords family. I am so grateful. I love you @katyperry, he wrote on Twitter. “thank you for believing in me here we goooo. Love you so much. My first single comes out may 21st. LOVE YOU GUYS !”
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Katy Perry announced on June 17, 2014 that she had launched Metamorphosis records. She signed Ferras, who co-wrote “Aftermath” for Adam Lambert. In 2016, she changed the label name to Unsub. In July 2017, Katy signed Cyn. Michael J. Woodard is her third signing.
