The morning after the American Idol reboot premiered on ABC (March 11), alums Scotty McCreery and Justin Guarini dropped by Good Morning America to share their impressions.
“I love that they really focused on the talented folks,” Justin, who was runner-up to Kelly Clarkson in season one says. “Even the people who were quote-unquote not so good, were still pretty decent. No one was there as a joke.”
Season 10 winner, Scotty McCreery, who plugged his upcoming album Seasons Change and his No. 1 single, “5 More Minutes,” said it took 3 rounds before he made it to the judges. He got to Milwaukee at 5 am in the morning for his open call audition, and didn’t finish until 7 pm at night.
Who were the singers’ favorite auditioners? Justin chose fellow Philadelphia native Dennis Lorenzo, who closed the show with a heartfelt rendition of Allen Stone’s “Unaware,” while Scotty was inspired by Congolese immigrant Ron Bultongez, who performed James Bay’s “Let It Go.”
Justin and Scotty also spoke with ABC News Radio about what they learned from the experience and how the contestants should proceed from here.
“I would say what I’ve learned — two things — that it’s show business, not show friendship,” Justin said. “You have to run yourself like you are your own business. And then secondly, you have to know who you are.”
Scotty was 16 when he competed on Idol and advises young contestants to “take advice” and “listen” to the folks with experience. However, it’s also important to “make that final call and be true to yourself.” He added, “just try to mold the advice into what you think you want to be.”
Watch Scotty McCreery and Justin Guarini appear on ABC’s Good Morning America below.
#TheJourneyBegins, and we’re celebrating the return of @AmericanIdol this morning with two favorite #AmericanIdol alum, @JustinGuarini and @ScottyMcCreery pic.twitter.com/uG3LiLrcVK
— Good Morning America (@GMA) March 12, 2018
