Every season, “American Idol” introduces viewers to aspiring singers hoping to become the next big star. While the show has helped launch the careers of artists like Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood, not everyone who auditions makes it through the competition. In fact, we have seen several now-famous musicians step in front of the judges, and they either failed their audition or were cut early in the competition. Check out these famous singers who didn’t make it on “American Idol,” but still went on to major success.
1. Tori Kelly
Back in season 9, Tori Kelly auditioned for “American Idol” in Denver, Colorado. Kelly made it to Hollywood Week, but then the judges didn’t select her to go any further in the competition.
Five years later, she released her debut album “Unbreakable Smile” in 2015. Now, she’s selling out venues across the globe.
2. Benson Boone
Benson Boone won over the internet with his jumpsuit at the Grammy Awards in 2025. Before any of that, he tried his hand at “American Idol.”
While Boone did make it onto season 19 of the singing competition, he quit the show. He told the “Zach Sang Show” his reasoning, “The reason I quit ‘American Idol’ is because I wanted to do music. I don’t want people to be like, ‘Oh, Benson Boone, ‘American Idol’ blew him up. Like, that’s where he comes from. No. I want to be Benson Boone ’cause I write smash hits and they love my music … I just didn’t want that label on me.”
It worked out, as he has gone on to have success in the music industry, earning a Best New Artist nomination for the 2025 Grammys.
3. Colbie Caillat
Colbie Caillat tried out twice to be on “American Idol,” but she was rejected both times. Two things are wild with this one:
- She auditioned with her now-classic folksy song, “Bubbly,” and was rejected.
- The show that rejected her two times brought her on as a mentor during season 16.
However, Caillat seems to agree with the rejection, telling Yahoo Entertainment, “I wasn’t ready at all. I had a lot of stage fright, and I realized I had a lot of work to do with myself.”
4. Bebe Rexha
Sometimes you wonder about these producers, but Bebe Rexha auditioned for the show and was sent home before she even made it to the judges.
During an episode of “Live with Kelly and Ryan,” Bebe told Idol judge Randy Jackson and host Ryan Seacrest, “I was with my mom, we waited 12 hours.”
Yes, she didn’t make it on the show, but she’s been doing fine since that rejection. She has gone on to earn four Grammy nominations, including Best New Artist in 2019.
5. Kane Brown
Kane Brown happens to be one of the biggest country music stars out there today. Turns out, Brown auditioned for “American Idol” over a decade ago, but was rejected.
You see, Kane was a friend of Lauren Alaina, season 10 runner-up. They did high school choir together, so he was hoping to follow along in her footsteps.
However, the show rejected him. The show apparently told him “they didn’t need another Scotty McCreery.”
Brown would go on to audition for “The X Factor,” but he left the show after they tried to put him in a boy band.
Which celebrities do you remember auditioning for “American Idol”?
