A Closer Look at the Contestants on 'American Idol' Season 17

From Cosmopolitan

A strawberry farmer with abs. An open mic host. A public relations superstar who can play the piano. These are just three of the contestants you’ll likely root for on season 17 of American Idol, which kicks off March 3 on ABC. Yes, this also means Ryan Seacrest is also back as host, along with season 16 judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan. Get excited!

During the 2019 Academy Awards telecast on February 24, American Idol fans got their first look at some of the faces competing this year in a trailer set to Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now.” Some viewers were quick to assume that ABC had casually revealed the top 10, but before anyone was really able to say “thank u, next” to season 17 (at least, until the live shows), Idol's networkcleared the air. Via Twitter, ABC confirmed that the singers shown in the trailer were “the group of contestants you’ll meet in our PREMIERE episode next Sunday.” Technically, some of these faces could still end up in the top 10, so no one is wrong yet…

Either way, it’s a great time to be an Idol fan. Let’s meet some of this year’s hopefuls, shall we?

Meghan Woods

In November 2018, 17-year-old Meghan and two other contestants were invited to audition during the 2018 CMA Awards telecast. America voted, Meghan came out on top, and season 16 winner Maddie Poppe delivered the news-and her golden ticket to Hollywood-live on Good Morning America.

Laci Booth

Laci, a student at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, opened the Idol trailer that aired on Oscars night with Ryan Seacrest. (She’s the Ellie Goulding lookalike in the sequin dress.)

Jacob Moran

Jacob, who hails from Michigan, is a registered nurse and has the voice of an angel. Just ask the nursing home audience!

Kai

Per ABC, Kai is a factory worker who lives in South Carolina. Per Kai’s Instagram, she can do a killer cover of Justin Bieber’s “Love Yourself.”

Kason Lester

Kason, a strawberry farmer from Tennessee, has abs of steel and a voice fit for a rock band your big brother would love. Did I mention the abs?

Tyler Mitchell

When Tyler’s not hunting, fishing, or hanging out with his wife and cute dog on their 80-plus acres of land in Louisiana, he sings. “Life is so simple here, I just like to sit back and enjoy nature,” he says in his promo video, which you should definitely watch because of the aforementioned cute dog.

Shayla Winn

Shayla (a.k.a. Shayy), a high school senior in Virginia, became legally blind in 2018 after doctors found a cyst in her brain. But that hasn’t stopped her from pursuing her dream of being on American Idol. In an interview with the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Shayy said, “The first time my great-grandfather heard me sing, he said, ‘I can’t wait to hear you on American Idol one day. I thought: Why not do it? You never know what could happen.”

Ashley Hess

On paper, Laguna, California’s Ashley Hess is a PR specialist. But in her heart, she’s a musician who has a lot to offer on the keys. Check out her magical cover of H.E.R.’s “Focus” and try not to get too emotional.

Eddie Island

Eddie holds many titles: Social media marketer, ride-share driver, and a member of musical group “Paid Vacay,” made up of Eddie and his friends. (If you live in Nashville, check out one of their gigs!) Hopefully, his next title will be Idol Top 10. I mean, he even made his own commercial about his Idol appearance. How can he not be in the Top 10?

Wade Coda

Wade, an open mic host from Phoenix, Arizona, already has his hashtag set up for when the show begins. Will you help him make #whynotwade trend?

Drake McCain Taylor

Drake is a family first kind of guy. Per ABC, he’s got eight sisters, two brothers, and a hardworking mom working two jobs. When Drake’s not working at the supermarket, you can find him on the court playing basketball. But his true passion is music.

Listen, being named “Drake” should give this young man an automatic entry into the Top 10, but so should his cover of Shawn Mendes’ “Roses.” BRB I need more tissues.

Nate Walker

Nate from Pittsburgh has a very special connection to American Idol, as revealed by this new promo video. You might have to watch this at least three times (because Nate’s infectious smile is so distracting), but yes, that’s Gabby Barrett at Nate’s church. If you watched season 16 of Idol, you know that Gabby finished in third place, behind Caleb Lee Hutchinson and winner Maddie Poppe.

Reminder: This is not a complete list of all the contestants. You’ll meet them all once season 17 officially kicks off on March 3.

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