Not everyone handles rejection gracefully, but for singer Colbie Caillat, it fueled her determination to chase her passion for music.
During a Nov. 4 interview with “Off the Road” podcast, Caillat opened up about her journey towards music stardom, which surprisingly led her to audition for “American Idol” at the age of 19. However, she was rejected not once but twice. It would end up being a blessing in disguise for the songstress, who would go on to win and be nominated for multiple Grammy Awards.
Colbie Caillat Opens up About Her Short-Lived ‘American Idol’ Experience
GettyColbie Caillat was a guest on the “Off the Road” podcast, where she took a trip down memory lane while discussing her rise to fame. Although she was raised in a musical family and she had the talent for singing, Caillat shared that she wasn’t pressured to become the next pop star.
It wasn’t until Caillat was 19 that she began looking into a singing career. She auditioned for the second season of “American Idol,” but recalled being given a no “instantly.”
“They just said no instantly. It was like we were at the Rose Bowl. There were thousands of people in the parking lot. You have to camp out overnight to get a spot in line… Our parents were there. It was wild. I was nervous, and I just didn’t have the look. I didn’t have any of the things. Ten seconds in, they were like, ‘Next,” she shared.
However, Caillat didn’t give up on becoming America’s next singing superstar and auditioned the following year. This time, she auditioned with her own song, “Bubbly.” Again, they rejected her, but Caillat didn’t take it to heart, believing she “wasn’t right for the show” because she was too “shy, introverted.”
Caillat Found Overnight Fame Thanks to MySpace
GettyAlthough Idol wasn’t too keen on her song, “Bubbly,” she uploaded her tune on MySpace, a social networking service, and it instantly became a hit. “My friend put those songs up on MySpace. When I was 20, everything kind of took off,” she shared on the podcast.
She continued, “Listeners on Myspace from around the world chose my song, which then chose me. I got a record deal because they chose it.”
Caillat then found herself touring with major bands like Lifehouse and the Goo Goo Dolls. In 2008, she wrote and sang on Taylor Swift’s song “Breathe.” The song was nominated for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals at the 2010 Grammy Awards. However, she would win the award for her other collaboration with Jason Mraz for “Lucky.”
That night, Caillat also won a second Grammy for her work on Swift’s “Fearless” album, which won Album of the Year. Additionally, she was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album for “Breakthrough.” At the 56th Annual Grammy Awards, Caillat was nominated for Best Song Written for Visual Media for “We Both Know.”
In September, Caillat released her new duets album “This Time Around,” which features some of her biggest hits, including “Bubbly,” “Lucky,” and “Fallin’ For You.” The record also features new duets with artists Lee Brice and Maddie & Tae.
