An “American Idol” hopeful is getting another shot at the spotlight after stepping away from the competition last season. The Top 30 on “American Idol” season 24 are heading to Ohana Week next week, and Julián Kalel is one of those singers. Kalel takes the stage in Hawaii and has an emotional performance. He also shares his powerful story about overcoming anxiety and depression, sharing how support from his family helped him find the strength to pursue his dream once again. Check out the sneak peek video below in our “American Idol” spoilers.
Julián Kalel Is Back on ‘American Idol’
Julián originally auditioned for season 23. He actually got a Golden Ticket to Hollywood last year. However, he then had to quit the competition due to mental health issues.
For that season 23 audition, the 19-year-old from El Paso, Texas, performed an original song called “Surrender.” Because Kalel backed out of the competition, ABC never aired his audition last year.
Kalel came back for season 24, auditioned, and now finds himself as part of the Top 30 competing during Ohana Week, a new round for “American Idol” 2026.
Ohana Week Performance
Julián will be hitting the stage on Monday night, where he will be performing his original song “Surrender.” The performance will take place at the Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawaii.
During this stage of the competition, the Top 30 will become the Top 20 when all is said and done in Hawaii.
So, you may be asking: why perform this song again? While Julián did perform this song in front of judges Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie, it never aired. That means this will be the first time America gets to see him perform this very emotional song.
Dedicates Performance to His Father
In Hawaii, Julián takes the stage and tells the audience, “When I wrote the song ‘Surrender,’ I was really, really down, so I went to my dad, and he told me that anxiety, the fear, whatever’s out of your control, let it stay out of your control. It’s not worth your fear. He was the one that said surrender. Surrender those feelings.”
During his “American Idol” season 24 audition, he explained that he was diagnosed with anxiety and depression as a freshman in high school. He said, “I had been struggling with those feelings for a big part of my life. Through elementary and middle school. For me, anxiety is just like a big wave crashing on you, and you just drown.”
With the help of mental health experts, Kalel was able to return to “American Idol” season 24.
Now with his family in the audience, Julián took the stage in Hawaii and dedicated this performance to his father, saying, “I just want to dedicate this song to you, Papa. Thank you for always being by my side through my absolute worst and my best, and I love you.”
His father replied, “To see him arrive on this stage, this is everything that we’ve prayed for.”
“American Idol” season 24 airs on Monday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. New episodes are available to stream the next day on Hulu.
Please get rid of Carrie before she totally ruins the show. She’s already making it hers. At least Katy was fun!!!!!