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Did Odell Bunton Jr make it to top 24? 'American Idol' Season 22 fans left pissed after judges play 'fake outs' on singer

Odell Bunton Jr was one of the three singers to have earned the platinum ticket

 

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Fans of 'American Idol' Season 22 felt disappointed and frustrated after the judges attempted to play fake outs with fellow contestant Odell Bunton Jr. They were left feeling misled when the judges initially announced that he didn't advance to the top 24, only to later reveal that he did. Many fans thought that playing these fake outs on Odell wasn't fair, especially considering that the judges didn't employ similar fake outs with other contestants earlier in the episode. Katy Perry was the first one to initiate the fake out with Odell, telling him that he didn't make it to the top 24.

This moment came after Odell had shared his emotional family story and struggles on the show. Fans found it particularly unkind to play this fake out on Odell, considering the vulnerability he had shown in sharing his journey. They believed that after opening up about his hardships, it wasn't fair to toy with his emotions in this way. Taking this to Twitter, fans shared their disappointment with the judges. "I was about to throw something at my tv when @katyperry

told Odell “ this as far as we can take you” Thankful he did make the top 24," wrote a fan. "Clowning Odell? Are ya serious? Whew the bad karma…," wrote another

One fan noted how Katy Perry avoided playing the fake outs on one of the contestants stating "it was too early" in the day for it but ended up doing it with Odell instead. "Katie it’s too early in the day for a fake out. Did you just conveniently forget Odell?" wrote the fan. Others appreciated the singer for facing it bravely. "I’m not a fan of the fake outs. I get it, it’s good tv, blah, blah, blah… Odell was handling like a pro and a gentleman." "OMG!! My heart dropped for a second when Katy did that!!! Damn you Katy Perry!! I'm sooooooo glad that Odell Bunton Jr. is in the Top 24!!!" said another fan.

Odell Bunton Jr breaks down sharing family struggles 

During the judges' conversation about Odell Bunton Jr.'s background, he became emotional when asked about life back home. He tearfully revealed that it was an "emotional day" for him. He shared that currently, 12 people are living under one roof in his household. Katy Perry empathized with his situation, acknowledging the difficulty of making tough decisions when faced with challenging circumstances.

However, despite their sympathy, the judges conveyed that they couldn't advance him further in the competition, as it was now in the hands of the American public to vote for their favorite contestants. "We have to make decisions that are hard even when life is hard," Katy Perry said.

"Unfortunately, this is far as we can take you because it's up to America from here on out," she added.

Odell Bunton Jr dedicates performance to late sister 

Odell shared a heartfelt dedication to his late sister, who passed away in 2021, in his recent performance when the singer performed Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood by Nina Simone. He earlier expressed that after his sister's death, he shares the closest bond with his nephew, who is his sister's son. Odell also shared a touching video featuring his nephew, stating, "This video has me all tore up man… I lost my little sister 2 years ago and before she transitioned she left the best piece of her she could with us in her son."

He described his nephew as a "stone-cold preacher at 3 years old." Odell's main aspiration is to provide a bright future for his nephew, and he diligently works towards turning this aspiration into a reality. "It is my prayer to influence not only him but anyone else that comes into connection with the story and ministry that God has given me! Neph! I’m trying my BEST to make your mom proud and you just gave me the boost I needed," Odell shared. 

Catch new episodes of 'American Idol' Season 22 every Sunday and Monday at 8 pm ET on ABC. The latest episodes are available to stream next day on Hulu.