Country music stars who were rejected by American Idol before making it big
American Idol has been a platform for many aspiring singers to showcase their talent and potentially launch their music careers. However, not every future star who auditioned for the show was given the opportunity to shine on the Idol stage. Several country music artists, who are now household names in the industry, were rejected by American Idol before finding success in the music world.
One such artist is Lainey Wilson, who tried out for American Idol seven times before finally making it onto the show during the season 21 finale in 2023. Despite facing multiple rejections, Wilson never gave up on her dream of becoming a singer and eventually found success with her breakout album “Bell Bottom Country.”
Maren Morris, another country music sensation, also faced rejection from American Idol, as well as from The Voice and America’s Got Talent. In a 2019 interview, Morris revealed that the rejection didn’t discourage her, and she found satisfaction in knowing that her songs were being performed on those shows.
Kane Brown, who appeared on The X Factor in 2013, never made it to American Idol like his former schoolmate Lauren Alaina. Despite being turned down by Idol, Brown eventually found his way onto the show’s stage during the season 17 finale, where he performed some of his hit songs.
Hillary Scott, of Lady A fame, also faced rejection from American Idol twice before finding success with her band. Despite the initial disappointment, Scott has no regrets about her Idol audition experience and even found validation in performing on the show with her band.
These stories of rejection and eventual success serve as a reminder that talent and perseverance can lead to great achievements, even in the face of initial setbacks. The country music world is richer for having these artists who overcame rejection and went on to make a name for themselves in the industry.