On the ultimate night time of auditions for the category of American Idol 2026, judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan had been stunned by a well-recognized face: Mary Jo Younger, who made it to the High 24 in Season 19, returned for an additional shot at successful the expertise competitors. In fact, that was again within the Katy Perry period, so Carrie Underwood was listening to Mary Jo for the primary time.
What made her audition much more particular is that Idol aired never-before-seen footage of the 24-year-old from Cleveland, Ohio, dueting with Benson Boone. Boone famously made it to Hollywood Week in Season 19 however withdrew from the competitors to deal with his profession, so their pairing by no means made it to air.
“Me forgetting all of the lyrics to “You Say” [by Lauren Daigle],” Mary Jo laughed with the judges in regards to the music that she and Benson sang. Then she added, “When it got here to an finish, it was a very good, kick the infant hen out of its nest as a result of I wanted to go and develop,” which she has.
🎬 SIGN UP for Parade’s Every day publication to get the most recent popular culture information & celeb interviews delivered proper to your inbox🎬
Mary Jo has been touring, opening for Alex Warren and Jesse Murph. “I believe my confidence has undoubtedly grown, too.”
Giving her encouragement earlier than she sang, Luke stated, “I bear in mind loving your voice.”
For her audition this time round, Mary Jo will carry out an authentic “Don’t Name Me.”
Test again later to get the judges feedback and discover out if Mary Jo will get a ticket to Hollywood Week.
“I needed to come back again to American Idol as a result of I realized probably the most from the present than I’ve on any tour,” Mary Jo stated. “I’m going to Hollywood Week rather more ready. This ticket reveals me it’s all the time good to stand up and check out once more, and I’m happy with myself for it.”
Subsequent, American Idol Returns in 2026 with Three Sport-Altering Shake-Ups
