‘American Idol’: Abi Carter becomes first Platinum Ticket recipient to win it all (how did others fare?)
Abi Carter, the 21-year-old musician from Indio, California became the 22nd winner of “American Idol” on Sunday night. She defeated Will Moseley and Jack Blocker in the season finale as judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie proudly looked on.
Abi made a bit of history, becoming the first Platinum Ticket recipient to win the competition since the judges started handing them out in Season 20. Singers who show a little “something special” in their auditions are given Platinum Tickets that allow them to skip the first round of Hollywood Week. The other Platinum Ticket holders in 2024 were Julia Gagnon, who placed in the Top 7 and Odell Bunton Jr., who finished in the Top 20.
In Season 20 the recipients were HunterGirl, Kenedi Anderson and Jay. That year the judges forecast one finalist in HunterGirl, who went on to become the runner-up to Noah Thompson. After her Top 24 performance of “Human,” Kenedi withdrew from the competition for personal reasons. Later that season Jay finished in the Top 7, getting eliminated after well-received performances of “I Have Nothing” and “A Song for Mama.”
In Season 21 four Platinum Tickets were doled out to Cam Amen, Kaylin Hedges, Elijah McCormick and Tyson Venegas. Both Cam and Kaylin were eliminated earlier than expected, failing to reach the Top 26. Elijah didn’t fare much better, going home after his Top 26 performance of “Good Vibes.” Tyson went the furthest among this group, but still managed to only make the Top 10 before being eliminated after his performance of “Someone You Loved.”
Abi has been the front-runner all season. Even Katy admitted the songstress was her favorite following a performance of “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” by Hillside UNITED in Hawaii. “I don’t know if I’m allowed to say it, but you’re my favorite,” Katy said while shrugging her shoulders. “I just think you are so gifted. When you first came to us you sang a Billie Eilish song and it was just like, oh my gosh, you can do a Hillside song?
It’s a fitting conclusion since 2024 is also the year Katy will depart from the series she’s judged since it re-emerged on ABC in 2018. ABC has not announced her replacement yet, but auditions for Season 23 are already underway.
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