'American Idol': Teen blows Lionel Richie away from his desk and a Netflix star auditions

USA Today

31-03-2025

'American Idol': Teen blows Lionel Richie away from his desk and a Netflix star auditions
Show Caption
Hide Caption
David Archuleta says Lady Gaga butt-dialed him at 3 a.m.
Archuleta reveals he got an early look at Lady Gaga's breakout hit "Just Dance" while recording his debut, "Crush," and once got a butt dial from her.
Entertain This!
As "American Idol" wrapped auditions this week, Sunday's episode was replete with teens whose talent belies their age — but light on performances that made you go "wow."
Kaleo Knight, a 16-year-old high schooler from Los Angeles, made a big swing by taking on "Dreamgirls," and it paid off. She received a standing ovation and quite the compliment from Luke Bryan: It's probably the best 16-year-old voice we've heard in this competition," he said.
Sixteen-year-old Lexi "loud mouth" Tieffel was also sent through to Hollywood Week (which begins Monday at 8 p.m. on ABC) for her rendition of "Girl Crush" (which we're left to assume was adequate, as there was hardly any footage of it), and 18-year-old Zaylie Windsor squeaked by with an endorsement from Carrie Underwood for the "Taylor Swift-esque quality" in her original song.
Catch up on last week: Brian Wilson's granddaughter sings with Wilson Phillips in family performance
The most impressive showing from week four of auditions was an aspiring preacher with a voice so powerful it blew Lionel Richie away from the judges' desk. And he was only 17, too.
Here are the highlights from "American Idol" Episode 4.
Canaan James Hill earned Season 23's final platinum ticket
Canaan James Hill, 17, graduated early from high school and is on a fast track to making his dreams come true.
The content creator from Dallas, who's been "getting into preaching" recently, leaned heavily into his gospel background. With a sizable cross necklace front and center, he told the judges he's from "a gospel family" and is here doing "what god has called and chosen me to do."
In singing gospel musician Earnest Pugh's "I Need Your Glory," Canaan took the judges on a vocal journey, starting soft and crescendoing into a full belt that made Richie push his chair away from the desk in incredulity before he excitedly jumped out of his seat.
"I had to sit back here to listen!" he later exclaimed. "That was something so spectacular I can't even describe what I heard." Meanwhile, Bryan chimed in, "I ain't seen anything like it, Lionel."
A "speechless" Underwood noted the Canaan did not "give off the air of a 17-year-old" with his poise, confidence and maturity.
Not only did Canaan draw out three enthusiastic yeses from the trio, he also inspired Richie to journey across the room and pluck a platinum ticket from a wall covered with lighting elements (has that always been there, taunting the singers?). Thankfully, Bryan succeeded where Richie failed to unearth it from the recess in the wall, and the 17-year-old was presented with the ticket that will keep him safe through the first week in Hollywood.
A standout from last week: Contestant mourns dad Davis McClendon after hit-and-run murder
Wait, is that Netflix star Kariselle auditioning for 'Idol?'
In a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment, dating and/or competition show fans might have noticed what seemed to be a familiar face.
Around half an hour into the episode — in between auditions from Patrick Swayze-meets-Scotty McCreery singer Gabe James and Lexi Tieffel — a woman who appeared to be Kariselle Snow (of "Perfect Match," "Sexy Beasts" and "Are You the One?" fame) briefly appeared in a segment about silly nicknames. (Underwood's, for the record, was "Scary Underwear.")
We heard nothing from her other than her unique name, which is a missed opportunity because the reality TV veteran and aspiring singer sounds quite good on Instagram. USA TODAY reached out to Snow and "Idol" reps for confirmation.
'I've never seen Carrie smile this much'
If "Idol" could have molded an ideal contestant, it would've been 20-year-old Landynn Kennedy.
He has a devastating backstory of overcoming obstacles, and he has talent, but not too much of it. Just enough to know he's good but can grow into something great throughout the competition. The caretaker from Kingstree, South Carolina, revealed he and his siblings were "left there to perish" at a hotel when they were young and have been raised by their adopted parents, Warren and Jennifer Kennedy.
But then mom Jennifer died when Landynn was 13 years old. However, as he delivered one of the more popular audition song choices, Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me," Jennifer was right there with him on a pendant hanging around his neck. And perhaps in spirit, too.
From the first word, Landynn's voice came out clear and strong. There were a few imperfections, but also some impressive riffs showcasing his unique take on the '90s song. And that's what makes "Idol" fun. Contestants like him can be shaped − by celebrity mentors, fellow contestants and the judges — into a more fully-formed musical artist.
"You have so much raw talent," Underwood told Landynn. "I feel like you would be one that would be a lot of fun to watch grow in a competition like this." Noting the few hiccups, she added: "Don't worry too much about coming off the notes or doing runs. … just throw it out there."
Bryan loved that Landynn was "singing from a real place" of life experience. With three yeses, the 20-year-old was headed to a "fabulous place" called Hollywood, Richie announced.
Who received platinum tickets on 'American Idol' 2025?
Canaan was granted the final remaining ticket.
Before him, Filo and Kolbi Jordan were issued the upgraded ticket to Hollywood (and, unfortunately for Canaan, in grander fashion).
Who got a ticket to Hollywood in Episode 4?
The judges sent through a horde of contestants in the final auditions round, though we didn't properly see many of the performances.