American Idol 2024: Watch Platinum Ticket holders, Abi Carter, Odell Bunton Jr. and Julia Gagnon sing ‘California Dreaming’
American Idol 2024 Hollywood Round begins on Sunday (March 31). And as a preview, ABC dropped an early release of the spectacular episode opener. Platinum TIcket holders, Abi Carter, Odell Bunton Jr, and Julia Gagnon take the stage to perform the classic 60s hit, “California Dreaming” by the Mamas and Papas.
Judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan handed out Platinum Tickets to three lucky auditioners they felt had the potential to go the distance.
Singer-songwriter, Abi Carter, 21, from Indio, California received the first ticket of the season for her heartfelt rendition of Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For” at the piano.
Twenty-eight year old R&B singer, Odell Bunton Jr. from Arlington, Texas nabbed the next Platinum Ticket for his performance of Sam Cooke’s “Bring It On Home to Me.”
And the final Platinum Ticket was handed to 21-year-old Julia Gagnon from Cumberland, Maine for her performance of Aretha Franklin’s ‘Ain’t No Way.”
The performance starts off with Abi’s ethereal and powerful vocals, as she plays the electric piano. The audience, made up of her fellow contestants, clap wildly. Odell joins her on the second verse, singing “stopped into a church,” while literally taking the room to church with his soulful vocals. After Odell and Abi sing a call and response, Julia takes the stage with her BIG BIG voice. She’s like a tornado. The performance ends with the three singing in sublime harmony.
Needless to say, the performance blew the judges away. Watch it below.
American Idol shakes up the Hollywood Round
This year, American Idol is shaking up the Hollywood Round.. Instead of a solo round, followed by duets, with cuts after each, the 143 contestants who made it past the judges in the audition round, will sit scattered around the Santa Monica Hanger as the judges call them to the stage one by one, at random, to perform. The panel will cut over half of the singers. A Top 57 will emerge by the end of the episode.
The round is called “Idol Arena,” with nods to Roman gladiators fighting each other to the death. Lionel called it “The Gladiators Pit.”
On Monday, the singers who survived the “Idol Arena” perform a song of their own choosing in front of a full band and studio audience. Afterward, the judges will pick the Top 24. For more on what’s coming next, Click this link HERE.
American Idol 2024 Hollywood Round airs on Sunday March 31 on ABC at 8 pm. On Monday, April 1, it’s Showstoppers, at 8 pm ET/PT. See the full schedule HERE
