American Idol season 22 has had so many talented contestants that it needs a Comeback Competition in order to give one of the eliminated finalists a second chance. American Idol voters have now chosen their extraordinary Top 10 finalists, including Abi Carter, Emmy Russell, Jack Blocker, Julia Gagnon, Kaibrienne, Kayko, McKenna Faith Breinholt, Mia Matthews, Triston Harper, and Will Moseley. However, the show has lost some incredible singers along the way who deserve a chance to return to the competition. If American Idol season 22 did have a Comeback Competition, it wouldn’t be the first time that show had America vote for someone to return.
During American Idol season 18, the finalists had to perform from home after Hollywood Week because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The following season, there was a Comeback Competition to allow ten season 18 contestants to compete to return to perform in front of the live audience, since they were unable to do so during the pandemic. The winner, Arthur Gunn, who’d placed second the previous year, took the final spot in the American Idol season 19 Top 10. American Idol season 22 would be the first season to have a Comeback Competition with its current contestants, and it should happen for many reasons.
American Idol season 22 has had some of the most talented contestants in years. Unlike the FOX days of the show, the audition episodes no longer showcase any terrible singers who clearly could never make the cut. Instead, there were good singers who aren’t quite good enough to make it to Hollywood, and great singers who earned their golden tickets. In addition, three of the best singers, Abi, Julia, and Odell Bunton Jr., earned platinum tickets to Hollywood, allowing them to skip the first round of Hollywood Week.
Shockingly, Odell, who was one of the most phenomenal American Idol season 22 singers, didn’t earn enough votes from America to make it into the Top 14. Not only that, but the judges–Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan–who’d been so impressed with him that they awarded him the platinum ticket, didn’t use one of their four saves on him. However, this wasn’t because he did anything wrong, but rather because there was so much amazing talent this year.
It was nearly impossible for the American Idol season 22 judges to choose among the ten remaining finalists for the Top 14 because they were all so good. It’s rare that everyone deserves a spot in the competition, but it’s happening this year. The winner is going to come down to musical preference because everyone is so talented and deserves to win. It’s been difficult to choose a front-runner because everyone is so consistently good. A Comeback Competition would give America the chance to bring a singer like Odell back to the show to continue his journey.
American Idol season 22 devoted five episodes to the auditions, but only two to Hollywood Week. This meant that some of the contestants who made the Top 24 were shown more than others. In fact, KBlocks, was the only Top 24 finalist whose audition wasn’t aired at all. This meant that she was only seen briefly during the two Hollywood Week episodes. It was no surprise that she was one of the first contestants to be voted off the show, possibly due to the fact she didn’t have the same opportunity to build a fan base that some of other contestants did.
Some of the American Idol season 22 contestants, including McKenna, Triston, and Julia, had very emotional stories that made them stand out to viewers. While they’re also incredibly gifted singers who deserve to be in the competition, their stories made them memorable. In addition, Jack, who only received a vote of yes from Luke at his audition, but returned when his rejection was overturned by the American Idol crew, made a strong impression on viewers with his unprecedented story.
Another American Idol season 22 contestant, Kayko, also stuck out in viewers’ minds because he was originally only supposed to accompany his friend, Abby Blake, on the piano for her audition. However, he then earned his own golden ticket to Hollywood when he was encouraged to audition too. He ended up making it even further than Abby in the competition.
These stories make American Idol viewers take note of the contestants, which gives them a huge advantage when it comes to voting over people whose auditions aren’t even shown, such as KBlocks. When 24 spectacular singers are competing, sometimes what sets them apart are their personal stories and the connection that viewers feel to them. For the contestants such as KBlocks who weren’t given the same opportunity to connect with voters, a Comeback Competition would make American Idol more fair.
While every American Idol Top 10 finalist deserves to still be in the competition, there are a few contestants who were arguably voted off the show too early. They should be able to compete in a Comeback Competition. They include KBlocks, who was eliminated after the American Idol Top 24 round in Hawaii, platinum ticket recipient Odell, who made it to the Top 20, as well as fan favorite Ajii, who also was eliminated after that round.
In addition, the four most recent American Idol season 22 cast-offs–Jordan Anthony, Nya, Roman Collins, and Jayna Elise–were outstanding singers who’ll be greatly missed moving forward in the competition. They deserve the opportunity to sing again for a second chance in a Comeback Competition. Although they didn’t receive enough votes from America the first time, sometimes viewers need a wake-up call to vote for contestants. A Comeback Competition would allow people one final chance to see what the contestants could do.
There are also some American Idol season 22 contestants who didn’t even make it to the voting rounds who deserve another chance in a Comeback Competition. They include fan favorite Ziggy, Kayko’s friend Abby, Mia’s sister Jacy Matthews, and Aniston Pate, the singer who Lionel compared to Dolly Parton during her audition. They were all memorable contestants who deserved to have the chance for America to vote for them. America should get to decide if they should remain in the competition, instead of it being solely the judges’ decision.
American Idol season 22 is overflowing with talent. Every week, some contestants will have to leave in order to bring the finalists closer to being crowned the champion at the finale. However, because there are so many stellar singers this year, there should be a Comeback Competition to allow someone to return to the show. American Idol season 22 is one of the best yet, and a Comeback Competition could make it even better.
