American Idol Contestants Keep Quitting Before Elimination, Here's Why

For over two decades, American Idol has been a platform for aspiring singers to showcase their talent to the world and potentially launch their music careers. From Kelly Clarkson to Carrie Underwood and Adam Lambert, the display has plucked a number of highly proficient entertainers from obscurity, granting them a once-in-a-lifetime shot at global acclaim.

With such high stakes, it sort of feels almost inconceivable that a contestant would think of leaving the display before getting eliminated. However, being on American Idol is probably not all it's cracked up to be, as more than one contestants, including season 20 fan-favorite, Kenedi Anderson, have opted out of the contest over time. Here’s a run-down of some former contestants who quit American Idol before removing, and the reasons they gave for leaving.

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8 Why Kaya Stewart Quit American Idol At The End Of Hollywood Week

Kaya Stewart, who turned into a fan-favorite on American Idol 2023 after she auditioned alongside her well-known dad, Eurythmics big name, Dave Stewart, shocked lovers when she announced that she used to be throwing in the towel of the contest just moments before her scheduled duet with Fire.

“I got unwell in the beginning of Hollywood week and I have been trying to push myself and keep going,” Stewart admitted to judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie. “During this efficiency I got to work with Fire, and it was this sort of great enjoy. She’s so talented, so unbelievable, and we bonded so much, but I noticed I wasn’t ready to provide One hundred p.c, so I've decided to not perform.”

7 Why Season 20's Kenedi Anderson Quit American Idol

Kenedi Anderson, whom pass judgement on Luke Bryan dubbed “the most important famous person we’ve ever seen,” was probably the most frontrunners in American Idol season 20 before she exited the contest prematurely for difficult to understand private reasons.

“For private reasons, I’m not able to proceed on American Idol,” she disclosed in a social media observation on the time. “This has been one of the hardest selections I’ve ever needed to make, but I understand it’s necessary. I’m so grateful to American Idol, the judges, the producers, the fantastic contestants, and the entire enthusiasts who've supported me.”

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6 Did Sarah Beth Quit American Idol Because Of Katy Perry Drama?

Sarah Beth, one in every of season 21’s maximum mentioned contestants, surprised judges when she followed her stellar rendition of The Police’s Roxanne with a press release that she’d be leaving the contest. Beth’s resolution came simply weeks after her emotional TikTook, in which she accused Katy Perry of mom-shaming her, ignited a wave of controversy on social media.

“This opportunity is truly rad, however this is actually going to be my ultimate performance. My heart’s at house, so I’m going to get house to my small children,” she admitted, adding, “I believe like I’m no longer gonna win the show anyway, so I might as neatly go home. Seeing all of the skill, a large a part of me seems like I’m no longer reduce out for display business.”

5 Why American Idol Season 4 Favorite, Mario Vasquez Quit The Show?

Mario Vasquez, from season 4 of American Idol, whose impressive vocal vary landed him a number of the season’s standout performers, shocked enthusiasts when he hastily withdrew from the contest simply days before finals commenced. Though Vasquez pinned his abrupt exit on a circle of relatives issue, lovers have been a long way from satisfied, particularly after experiences emerged that his mother had no thought why he’d left the display.

Two years after the extremely debatable exit, the singer in spite of everything printed the true explanation why he left the show. “It used to be the #1 precedence for me to have creative control,” he informed Arjanwrites.com. “I realized that growing my very own sound was a significant factor for me.”

RELATED: The Real Reason Paula Abdul Tried To Quit American Idol Eight Times On Her First Day

4 American Idol 'Just Wasn’t The Right Fit' For Tiquila Wilson

Despite wowing season 13’s judges sufficient to earn one of the most display’s extremely coveted golden tickets, Tiquila Wilson opted out of American Idol. “I just felt like American Idol wasn’t for me,” she defined to Winston-Salem Journal, “and when I were given on that level, it was completely different.”

As it turns out, religion used to be one of the crucial major causes why Wilson didn’t really feel like American Idol used to be the appropriate have compatibility. "I’m a church baby,” she told Winston-Salem Journal. “All I know is gospel music. And then, too, a lot of people might not understand my decision, but I had a little talk with my God, and he assured me that everything would be all right.”

3 The Controversial Reason For Caleb Kennedy's Shocking American Idol Exit During Season 19

Caleb Kennedy, one of season 19’s top five finalists, exited the show abruptly after a controversial video, which showed him sitting next to someone wearing what appeared to be a Ku Klux Klan hood, surfaced on social media.

“Hey y’all, this is gonna be a bit of a surprise, but I am no longer gonna be on American Idol. There was a video that surfaced on the internet, and it displayed actions that were not meant to be taken in that way,” Kennedy explained in a social media statement. “I was younger and did not think about the actions, but that’s not an excuse. I wanna say sorry to all my fans and everyone who I have let down.”

2 Why Nick Merico Quit American Idol In Season 17

Nick Merico made his first American Idol appearance in season 17, wowing judges with an unforgettable rendition of Leon Bridges' Beyond. However, before audiences could fully appreciate his talent, Merico withdrew from the competition, citing “family issues.”

"Unfortunately, one thing happened with my family that I will be able to’t actually disclose that compelled me to back out of the competition,” Merico admitted right through an look on The Colt Balok Show. “And I hate to mention that, but that’s what took place.”

1 The Real Reason Wyatt Pike Quit American Idol In Season 19

Despite earning a place in season 19’s height 12, Wyatt Pike determined to abandon his quest to grow to be the following American Idol. At the time, an American Idol representative attributed Pike’s abrupt exit to “personal reasons.” However, the singer later published that his resolution had a lot to do with the pressures of being in a high-stakes reality TV competition.

“Regarding my departure, the key is that reality, aggressive song on TV is not my factor,” he admitted in an interview with Utah radio station KPCW in February 2022. “It turned into too much – the stress and the behind-the-scenes force and issues that needed to occur.”

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