American Idol Season 22’s platinum ticket winners, Abi Carter, Julia Gagnon, and Odell Bunton Jr., made an impressive debut during Hollywood Week with their collaborative rendition of “California Dreamin'” by The Mamas and The Papas.
Platinum Ticket Holders Kick Off Hollywood Week
In a clip from the most recent episode, American Idol offered a glimpse of the trio’s performance of “California Dreamin’,” highlighting each singer’s individual talent during the opening number. The platinum ticket holders showcased their potential to excel in the competition, setting the stage for an exciting Hollywood Week.
Handpicked by judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan, these incredible talents earned their platinum tickets for their stellar performances during auditions. Rather than the traditional golden ticket, Abi Carter, Julia Gagnon, and Odell Bunton Jr. were gifted with platinum tickets by the judges. This exclusive privilege allowed them to bypass the initial round of Hollywood Week, while their fellow contestants faced the task of impressing the judges for their approval to move on in the competition.
Abi Carter, a 21-year-old singer-songwriter from Indio, California, captured her platinum ticket with a heartfelt rendition of Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For” while showing off her piano skills. Meanwhile, Odell Bunton Jr., a 28-year-old R&B singer from Arlington, Texas, received his platinum ticket with a soulful performance of Sam Cooke’s “Bring It On Home to Me.” Completing the trio, 21-year-old Julia Gagnon from Cumberland, Maine, earned the final platinum ticket of the season with her impressive rendition of Aretha Franklin’s “Ain’t No Way.”
‘American Idol’ Introduces “Idol Arena”
This past Sunday’s American Idol was packed with excitement as Hollywood Week kicked off with a brand-new twist called the “Idol Arena.” This change turned out to be a game-changer, leading to the largest round of cuts in the show’s 22-season history.
In this new setup, all 143 contestants who earned a Golden Ticket gathered in the “Idol Arena.” They were facing each other, feeling the tension as they waited for their turn to perform on stage. Adding to the pressure, contestants were picked randomly to perform, making every moment nerve-wracking.
With only one shot to impress the judges, every performance became crucial. And with more than half of the contestants set to be sent home, the stakes were higher than ever.
As the night went on, the number of hopefuls dropped dramatically. By the end of the episode, only 56 contestants remained. This intense round of cuts set the tone for the competitive season of American Idol.
Watch the Platinum Ticket Holders perform “California Dreamin'” below.