We’re used to TV shows like Law & Order giving us ripped-from-the-headlines episodes. But American Idol? That’s definitely a new one.
Sunday’s episode, which marked the fourth week of Season 23 auditions, ended with a powerful performance from 19-year-old Freddie McClendon, whose father’s murder became a media sensation and true-crime obsession.
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Idol didn’t go into specifics, for obvious reasons, so here’s a little background: On May 7, 2023, Davis McClendon’s body was discovered on the side of a road in Greenwood, S.C., where it had been intentionally crushed between his own car and another vehicle. Following an investigation and trial, it was determined that the person responsible was William “Bud” Ackerman Jr., the estranged husband of Meredith Haynie, a woman whom Davis had been dating for several months. Davis was already separated from Freddie’s mother at the time.
The hit-and-run homicide became the subject of numerous true-crime podcasts and series nationwide. It was even documented in an episode of CBS’ 48 Hours earlier this month.
Because so much emphasis had been put on how his father died, Freddie wanted to tell people more about how he lived, which he did through a beautiful original song called “You Never Loved Him.” All three of the show’s judges were visibly moved by the time he finished, with Lionel Richie struggling to find the words to start.
“Thank you for bringing that and for sharing your heart,” Carrie Underwood began through tears. “It’s so brave of you to decide that you want to choose the narrative — that you want to remember him, not what happened, but him. It was a good song, and you could feel your heart behind it.
Luke Bryan praised Freddie’s “honest” approach to performing, calling him a “modern-day Paul Simon or something.”
Other highlights from Sunday’s Idol included an audition from Carnie Wilson’s daughter, complete with a group performance of Wilson Phillips’ “Hold On,” as well as the too-brief return of Season 4 runner-up Bo Bice. Which moments and/or auditions stood out most to you? Drop a comment with your picks below.
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