American Idol Run Comes to Shocking End for Elijah McCormick from Raeford
The American Idol run has ended for Raeford-native Elijah McCormick, as he was eliminated in the cuts before the Top 20 of the reality singing competition.
“My time on American Idol is over,” My time on American Idol is over! This isn’t the end God has so much in store for me! Stay tuned!! This isn’t the last time you’ll hear my voice!! #idol #elijahonidol #thenextidol #americanidol #americasplatinumticket pic.twitter.com/n1EDQZ4QoO
My time on American Idol is over! This isn’t the end God has so much in store for me! Stay tuned!! This isn’t the last time you’ll hear my voice!! #idol #elijahonidol #thenextidol #americanidol #americasplatinumticket pic.twitter.com/n1EDQZ4QoO
— Elijah McCormick (@musicbyelijahmc) April 24, 2023
Judge Katy Perry said she was shocked about McCormick – a fan, and judge favorite – being eliminated.
“I’m just so shook right now,” Perry said. “The truth is America, you guys have the votes and if you’re not voting, you’re not using your voice. Your faves aren’t safe, so from now on vote for who you want to see.”
McCormick had been a favorite from his emotional audition process, where we learned about his near-death experience on his 2019 graduation day from Pinecrest High School.
“I had to learn to walk again, learn to talk again, you know,” Mccormick told the judges. “The last thing I remember was dropping my friend off at her house. And I was only a mile away from home.”
Elijah started his Idol journey with a performance of the Rascal Flatts country song “Bless the Broken Road.”
His smooth, soulful performance of the song got Lionel Richie off his feat, before Luke Bryan came over to celebrate and hug him. Lionel and Katy Perry joined him with big hugs.
“God brought you back nine times for you to do something amazing,” Richie said during his critique of the performance. “I’m so glad you’re here with us, and that was just one of those moments in my life I will never forget.”
Congratulations to Elijah McCormick on his Idol run. We know big things are coming!