American Idol 2023 finalist Colin Stough sings “I Still Talk to Jesus” as winner of the Live with Kelly and Mark Encore.
American Idol 2023 winner Iam Tongi and runner-up Megan Danielle have already appeared on Live with Kelly and Mark. Now, Colin Stough, the second runner-up and winner of the show’s “Encore” contest drops by to sing his original single “I Still Talk to Jesus.”
After performing an acoustic version of the country tune, hosts Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos chatted with him about his American Idol journey.
He shared that only 77 people live in his small Mississippi hometown. When describing his first ever visit to New York City, Colin seems a little overwhelmed. “It’s everything here!” he laughed. “It’s crazy. It’s definitely a big change.”
Riffing on Katy Perry’s comparison of Colin as the “Brad Pitt of country music,” the Live staff put together a graphic of the singer and a young cowboy-hatted Pitt side by side. The audience cheered as Colin laughed, explaining that people behind the scenes on Idol suggested that if music does not work out for him, he should “just go be a stunt double!”
“I Still Talk To Jesus” charted Top 10 on the iTunes overall chart
Colin’s single “I Still Talk to Jesus” is available now to stream and download. American Idol 2020 finalist Francisco Martin co-wrote the song, which went as high as No. 8 on the overall iTunes chart upon its release.
Meanwhile, after Colin made it home, he posted a video of himself popping a wheelie on the highway, which prompted fans to chastise him about engaging in dangerous stunts, and…smoking. Welcome to American Idol superfandom, Colin! Heh.
Every year in the American Idol ABC era, Live has conducted a contest that allowed fans to vote for contestants outside of the final two a chance to perform on the show. Fans voted, and Colin won the honor.
Former winners of the Live “American Idol Encore” include: Cade Foehner 4th place, season 16; Madison Vandenburg 3rd place, season 17; Julia Gargano Top 7 season 18; Grace Kinstler 3rd place season 19; and Fritz Hager Top 5 season 20.
