Watch NC man’s song bring ‘American Idol’ judge to tears. ‘Have to fulfill my purpose’
A North Carolina singer brought an “American Idol” judge to tears years after his own emotional journey.
Elijah McCormick, 21, said he was in a car on his high school graduation day when he was in a fiery crash. He was revived after the “terrifying” ordeal, which left him in a hospital for weeks and meant that he had to relearn singing, something he loved to do, according to video from the episode that aired Sunday, March 5.
“I remember the first time he was able to talk, his first question to me was: ‘Mama, can I still sing?’” his mother, Teshauna, said on the show.
Now, years after the June 2019 crash, Elijah McCormick has advanced in the “American Idol” competition. He said he aimed to bring his best effort to the ABC show’s stage.
“I was not supposed to be here,” said McCormick, an ophthalmologist technician from Raeford. “So, I have to fulfill my purpose.”
It turns out, the singer’s performance of “Bless the Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts made a lasting impact on one of the show’s judges.
“Your son, when he opens his mouth, is divine,” judge Lionel Richie told the contestant’s mom after dabbing away tears. “God brought him back for a reason.”
Two judges also said McCormick’s talents reminded them of Willie Spence, the late runner-up of the 2021 “American Idol” competition. The comments came before Richie called McCormick a “golden child,” which the contestant said was a coincidence, given that was a nickname he had in the hospital.
“The golden child deserves the golden ticket,” judge Katy Perry said, referring to McCormick’s chance to advance to the next round of the competition in Hollywood.
The night that his audition aired, McCormick took to Instagram to write: “I could not be more excited to begin this adventure with y’all!!”
Raeford is roughly 85 miles southwest of Raleigh.
This story was originally published March 6, 2023 at 11:20 AM with the headline "Watch NC man’s song bring ‘American Idol’ judge to tears. ‘Have to fulfill my purpose’."
