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'American Idol' fans furious over 'Cougars for Colin' crowd sign for 18-year-old country singer Colin Stough

Colin Stough has made it to 'American Idol's Top 12, but here's why fans are 'disgusted'

BRENTWOOD, CALIFORNIA: After observing Colin Stough, a contestant who recently turned 18, being treated in a "disgusting" manner, 'American Idol' viewers have taken offense at the program. Before his performance, a woman held up a placard that said, "Cougars For Colin," which annoyed the audience at home.

Colin has made it to 'American Idol's Top 20, and after getting the news, he stepped to the stage to sing his own rendition of Parker McCollum's 'Pretty Heart'. The enormous screens behind him displayed a rural environment bathed in the light of a colorful set, replete with rolling clouds, during his time on stage. Colin stood in the center of the stage, playing his guitar, as Luke Bryan sang along from the judge's chair. Colin is always true to his roots and portrays his actual self on stage, according to fellow judge Katy Perry. While she acknowledges that honesty is valued on Idol, she goes on to state that she would want to see Colin shine with greater vocal power and risks.

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'I about crawled out of my skin'

On April 23, Colin reached the Top 20 and had another performance after reaching the Top 12. Prior to singing a rendition of Parker McCollum's song 'Pretty Heart', a woman was seen in the audience holding up a placard just before Colin began to perform. It said, "Cougars for Colin," and the woman was grinning broadly.

Despite the fact that the camera moved to the audience several times during his performance, the placard was never seen again. Fans of 'American Idol' were outraged when they noticed a banner in the audience stating that Colin had only recently turned 18. "Not my normal post but…. Watching American Idol and I’m sorry 'COUGARS FOR COLIN?!' He literally like just turned 18," one fan said on Twitter. "Did yall see the "Cougars for Colin" sign? lol #AmericanIdol #IdolTop20Reveal," someone else asked.

On Youtube, one comment read, "I'm still tripping about the Cougars for Colin sign." one fan asked, "Did that lady really have a Cougars for Colin sign?" While another chimed in, "Why would they let that fan have a Cougars For Colin sign? He literally just turned 18."

'Brad Pitt of country music'

The 18-year-old, who made it to the Top 12, blew the judges away with his performance of Robyn's 'Dancing on My Own' on April 24. Luke ran up to the stage and hugged him as soon as he completed the song. Luke and Katy freely shared their pride in watching Colin improve in the competition in a group interview following the episode.

"Colin made me a believer. I was a little big on the edge," Katy said. "It didn't real knock it out of the park for me, and then what he did tonight with the Robyn song was one of the best performances of the whole night." She added, "He really sealed his deal. It only took a different moment. I think he literally turned his life around. He's the Brad Pitt of country music. He's got the taste and the song choice and the vocal ability — he really showcased it tonight," as per People.

Meanwhile, Luke discussed how he can relate to contestants such as Colin. "When I get a country kid like Colin, I can see myself in him," he explained. "On the show last night, I really, really challenged him to be more aggressive with that mentality. He went out there, and he did a great job."

'American Idol' Season 21 airs every Sunday and Monday at 8 pm ET on ABC.

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