America’s most famous singing reality show, American Idol Season 22, has already begun airing. The show premiered on ABC on February 18, 2024, and is still in the auditioning phase. They are handing out golden tickets or platinum tickets to the contestants who would be able to advance to the next stage. A Golden Ticket allows the participant to move to the first round of Hollywood Week, whereas a Platinum Ticket holder directly moves to the second round of Hollywood Week. The participant also gets to select their partner for the duet challenge to happen that week.
Here is a list of contestants who were handed golden/platinum tickets in this episode:
Odell Bunton Jr.
Odell was initially given a Golden Ticket, but the judges soon surprised him through a video that his ticket was upgraded to Platinum. The 28-year-old lives in Dallas and sang the Bring It On Home To Me by Sam Cooke in the show. He is the first in this season to have received the Platinum Ticket.
Mackenzie Sol
Born to singer parents, Sol is 24 and lives in Las Vegas. He received a standing ovation and a Golden Ticket.
Triston Harper
Harper is a sweet 15-year-old boy who showed immense potential through his signing and won the Golden Ticket. He is from McIntosh, Alabama.
Kennedy Reid
From New Albany, Indiana, this 23-year-old received a standing ovation after she sang River Deep, Mountain High by Ike and Tina Turner and was given the Golden Ticket.
Jack Blocker
He is a 25-year-old graphic designer but has magic in his voice. He was unanimously given a Golden Ticket.
Ajii
He is a 27-year-old individual who works in a nursing home in Brooklyn, New York. He got a Golden Ticket after he sang The Lost Control by Teddy Swims.
Blake Proehl
Blake was a part of NFL for three years till he had to withdraw after an injury. He said music is what kept him going. The 24-year-old is from Charlotte, and he sang so well that Katy took his autograph.
Meggie Iyer
She is just 18 and has the voice of a Goddess. She studies in Caramel, Indiana College and took home a Golden Ticket.
Micaela McCall
This 28-year-old sang Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours) by Stevie Wonder in a very unique way to impress the judges. She was given the Golden Ticket!
McKenna Breinholt
The episode ended with 25-year-old McKenna from Gilbert, Arizona, receiving the Golden Ticket.
Here is a schedule for American Idol Season 22:
- Auditions — Sundays from February 18 to February 25 and March 3 to March 24
- Hollywood Weeks — From March 31 to April 1
- Showstopper Round — From April 7 to 8
- Live Concerts — From April 14 to May 6
- Season 22 Finale — May 12
