Why did kenedi anderson leave american idol reddit

ABC Kenedi Anderson amd Bebe Rexha on "American Idol"

Kenedi Anderson was a front-runner at the beginning of ABC’s “American Idol” season 20, getting a Platinum Ticket from judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie, which gave her a head up over the rest of the contestants during Hollywood Week.

Anderson left the competition after competing in the top 24 episode, making her ineligible to make it to the top 20.

During the top 24 episode, which aired on Monday, April 11, 2022, Anderson was seen performing “Human” by Christina Perri.

After her performance, Ryan Seacrest appeared virtually and told viewers that she was no longer in the competition due to “personal reasons.”

Anderson Dropped Out of the Competition

Anderson took to Instagram to announce that she left the show.

“For personal reasons, I’m unable to continue on ‘American Idol,'” she wrote. “This has been one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make, but I know it’s necessary. I’m so grateful to American Idol, the judges, the producers, the amazing contestants and all the fans who have supported me.”

She added, “Thank you for giving me such an amazing opportunity to share my voice, chase my dreams, feel so much joy and happiness doing what i love, and make lifelong friends along the way.”

Some fans took to the comment section to let Anderson know they support her.

“Omg noooooo I was about to vote for you,” one person wrote. “hope all is well.”

Another commented, “I will support you till the end! Wishing you the best of luck in the future.”

Fans Were Sad to See Anderson Go

Um…so why did my real life Barbie Ms. Kenedi drop out!? 😭 She had such a beautiful voice and was one of my top faves #americanidol

— Angie C. (@Music_Is_Me88) April 12, 2022

Fans had been speculating about Anderson’s leaving the competition for weeks. After the Hollywood Duet challenge episode aired on April 3, 2022, some fans noticed that the contestant’s duet was missing from both social media and YouTube, leaving them to think that one of the contestants may have quit or been asked to leave “American Idol.”

Fans were still upset when she officially left the competition, as they thought she was one of the front-runners to win.

“Um… so why did my real life Barbie Ms. Kenedi drop out!?” one person tweeted. “She had such a beautiful voice and was one of my top faves.”

Another person tweeted, “I’m sad that you just withdrew from #AmericanIdol, Kenedi. But your performance in Hawaii was great!!! Still, you’re a great singer and you should get a recording contract in the future!!!”

Many thought that she was a sure-thing to win.

“It’s so crazy to me because kenedi would’ve won 100%… now I’m rooting for leah marlene, ava, nicole, and emyrson #americanidol,” one tweet reads.

Another tweet reads, “What a blow to @AmericanIdol with Kenedi exiting the competition. She’s the kind of talent music execs dream of-total package. Certain there is an offer on the table that prompted the departure. Female artists literally look at her with envy and know she’s next #americanidol.”

One comment on Instagram reads, “I literally gasped. I’m so sad. Well wishes to you.”

“American Idol” airs on Sundays and Mondays at 8 p.m. Eastern and Pacific time on ABC.

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Kenedi Anderson

For the first two weeks in March, suspiciously, American Idol had not released video of Platinum Ticket winner Kenedi Anderson’s performances from Hollywood Week—either her Duets or Showstopper performances—leading to suspicions that the 17-year-old from Crozet, Va., had quit the show.

When Did Kenedi Anderson Leave American Idol?

Monday, April 11, 2022

Related: Who Has COVID on American Idol?

The Real Reason Why Kenedi Anderson Quit American Idol

Now, we can confirm that that is exactly what happened—"Kennedy" Anderson has left American Idol. After her Top 24 performance Monday, April 11, 2022, of Christina Perri’s “Human” at the Aulani Disney Resort in Hawaii on Monday night, host Ryan Seacrest revealed: “You will notice there was no voting information during Kenedi’s performance just now. Since we taped these shows in Hawaii earlier, Kenedi (or Kennedy Anderson) has chosen to withdraw from our show for personal reasons. We send her well wishes.”

Following Ryan's announcement, Kenedi posted the following on her Instagram: "For personal reasons, I’m unable to continue on American Idol. This has been one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make, but I know it’s necessary. I’m so grateful to American Idol, the judges, the producers, the amazing contestants, and all the fans who have supported me. Thank you for giving me such an amazing opportunity to share my voice, chase my dreams, feel so much joy and happiness doing what I love, and making lifelong friends along the way."

While Kenedi did not reveal her “personal reasons” for withdrawing from American Idol, the fact that she released a song on TikTok the next day—now deleted—has many speculating that it’s because she signed a record label, especially considering the lyrics.

She said: “Here is the chorus of a song I wrote not too long ago." Then seated at the piano, she sang: “I need to find, need to find something better than what I had, and with no strings attached. Don't I deserve that? Something with no strings attached.”

Related: Kenedi Anderson’s Performance of Lady Gaga’s ‘Applause’ Is the Answer to the Judges’ Prayers

For her audition, Kenedi had wowed judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan with her performance of Lady Gaga’s “Applause.” Luke said she “might be the biggest star we’ve ever seen,” and Katy added, “She was born to be a star.” The judges awarded her one of only three Platinum Tickets given out during the audition process this season.

As a result of the ticket, Kenedi didn’t have to perform the first night of Hollywood Week but returned to the competition for Duets. She and Jordan Chase performed "Lean on Me" by Bill Withers. Then for Showstoppers, she sang "Talking to the Moon" by Bruno Mars, which helped her make the cut to the Top 24.

Kenedi, who released her first original song in December 2020, has acquired quite the following on TikTok, where several of her videos have more than 150K views. And despite the social media following, she says that winning the Platinum Ticket gave her the boost of confidence she needed.

“Everyone in my family is athletic and I’m the musical one,” she said in her audition package. “Music really is my therapy. Whenever I’m frustrated, whenever I’m feeling down, music is the one thing that has stuck with me, no matter what. I’m happy where I am now, and I’m thankful for all the experiences that led me to this point. I feel that there’s no better time in my life right now to audition for American Idol.”

Related: Why Caleb Kennedy Was Cut from American Idol

Apparently, something has changed since she made that statement, but for now, we just know she left the competition for “personal reasons.”

American Idol airs Monday and Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

Next, Who Is American Idol Platinum Ticket Holder Kenedi Anderson's Famous Father?