American Idol Judges Break Silence on Caleb Kennedy’s Departure!
During the semi-finals, top-five contestant Caleb Kennedy exited the show due to a leaked controversial video. The AI finalist Caleb Kennedy has left the reality singing TV series after a KKK-themed video surfaced earlier this week.
THIS SHOULD’VE STAYED IN YOUR DRAFTS: American Idol contestant Caleb Kennedy allegedly seen in a resurfaced with someone wearing a KKK hood. Caleb is allegedly blocking anyone who mentions the video, according to multiple reports. pic.twitter.com/9OKHmvOCEB
— Def Noodles (@defnoodles) May 12, 2021
CelebnMusic247.com reports American Idol judges are breaking their silence after Caleb Kennedy departure on Sunday. Judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie expressed their feelings.
AI judge Luke Bryan, 44, told PEOPLE after the show:
First and foremost, as judges, we love these kids. We get emotionally involved in these kids. We want the best for Caleb. As far as the nuances on how ABC gets viewed, either way, decisions got made and it’s our job as judges to show up and do our best job and comment on the kids who are in front of us. But we wish nothing but the best for Caleb. It does make for a very, very challenging and upsetting week.
Lionel Richie, 71, then said:
A lot of times, we think about it, we grow up and we make mistakes and we look at our life behind us many times and we say, ‘God, what was I thinking about when I did that?’ This was one of those situations where we kind of give him a big hug from the three of us.
He continued to say:
He has definitely has a talent. The problem is, this is one of those unfortunate decisions that had to be made and we move on. But this will be remembered in his lifetime and he’ll know what it’s all about.
Kennedy exited the show after a controversial video featuring the South Carolina native surfaced online, in which he can be seen hanging out with a friend wearing a white hood similar to the ones worn by Ku Klux Klan members. (above)
In a statement shared to his Instagram on Wednesday, Kennedy addressed the video.
Caleb said:
[The video] displayed actions that were not meant to be taken in that way. I was younger and did not think about the actions, but that’s not an excuse. I wanna say sorry to all my fans and everyone who I let down.
Kennedy, 16, also said:
I will be taking a little time off social media to better myself, but saying that, I know this has hurt and disappointed a lot of people and made people lose respect for me.
He added:
I’m so sorry! I pray that I can one day regain your trust in who I am and have your respect! Thank you for supporting me.
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American Idol Semi-Finals Update:
During Sunday’s episode of the ABC singing competition show, America said goodbye to 16-year-old Casey Bishop — leaving Willie Spence, Grace Kinstler, and Chayce Beckham left fighting for a chance at being the next American Idol.
Katy Perry told PEOPLE:
She’s going to be fine!
