Internet calls out 'American Idol' judges for giving Golden Ticket to Conall Gorman after 'shaky' Season 22 audition
TUSKEGEE, ALABAMA: Conall Gorman sang an original song for his 'American Idol' Season 22 audition. After considerable debate, the judges decided to send him through - the college student is off to Hollywood, and fans are furious!
Conall, a 19-year-old college student from Montclair, New Jersey, sang his own original song, 'Backseat.' Luke Bryan stated that he started strong and is an excellent guitarist.
Katy Perry believed Conall was on the path to being a professional. Lionel Richie commended his tone and encouraged him to enjoy the trip.
Conall is heading to Hollywood!
Fans on X however disagreed with the judges, writing, "This boy should’ve been a no. They just giving a yes to anybody tonight." Another user chimed in, "need to banned original songs on idol ..always overdo it every season... conall."
This boy should’ve been a no. They just giving a yes to anybody tonight #AmericanIdol
— ~*Tavia*~ (@ItsTaviBaby24) March 18, 2024
need to banned original songs on idol ..always overdo it every season... conall #americanidol
— john smithneil (@JSmithneil) March 18, 2024
One X user noted, " I wasn't really liking the sound of his voice but was enjoying the performance and his guitar work."
Conall Gorman original, Back Seat, had that angsty, teen feel. I wasn't really liking the sound of his voice but was enjoying the performance and his guitar work. Good performance. #AmericanIdol #IdolAuditions
— Robert Anton (@SoUWanaBaSinger) March 18, 2024
Disappointed viewers on Instagram commented, "He was k." On Reddit, fans argued, "His singing is okay. It started off strong but he struggled with the high notes."
Another Redditor adedd, "conall's very good but he's also the type of guy who i feel like is going to benefit american idol a lot more than american idol will benefit him."
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'American Idol' star Conall Gorman's ADD proved to be a roadblock in his singing career
Conall grew up in Montclair and spent years watching the singing competition. Conall, who graduated from Seton Hall Prep in West Orange, started to play guitar when his grandpa gave him one as a youngster.
When he was 10, he attended the "School of Rock" on Valley Road, but teachers told him he couldn't learn to play because his attention deficit disorder was so severe at the time, he claimed. Conall admits that it's easy to question oneself in a school filled with hundreds of students, all of whom are aspiring to be musicians.
'American Idol's Conall Gorman grew up listening to Irish folk music
Conall is goes to Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. In fact, he'll be watching his own audition live in his dorm room!
"I was born in New York City, but I grew up just outside in Montclair, New Jersey," he told abc7ny. "My mom's family is from Ireland, and I feel like that's had a pretty big influence on my music, growing up hearing Irish folk music in the house and things of that nature."
He characterizes his singing style as mostly folk. "I don't have a lot of classical training, but it's indie-folk," he said.
When will 'American Idol' Season 22 Hollywood Week begin?
Season 22 of 'American Idol' returned on Sunday, March 17, with another audition episode, following a week off for the Oscars. According to The Futon Critic, another audition episode will air on Sunday, March 24.
After that, Hollywood Week will commence on Sunday, March 31. Following Hollywood Week, the Hawaii Round takes place, where the top 24 fight for America's votes for the first time.
Music icons Tori Kelly and Jelly Roll will act as mentors. Following the Hawaii Round, the live presentations cover a wide range of themes, including the popular annual Disney Night.
'American Idol' Season 22 airs on ABC on Sundays at 8 pm ET/PT.