Who Are The Latest 'American Idol' Golden and Platinum Ticket Winners? (original) (raw)
The competition on American Idol is seriously heating up now that the audition stages have come to an end.
The acts that receive two out of three "yes" votes from the judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan are given a golden ticket, sending them through to the next stage of the competition, known as "Hollywood Week".
During Hollywood week, the aspiring stars are put through their paces as they compete for a spot in the live shows.
However, there are a select few lucky people who will have a different experience of Hollywood week thanks to being awarded platinum tickets by the judges.
So, who were the final acts to receive a golden ticket in the last audition on Sunday, March 27, and who are the platinum ticket winners?
Newsweek has everything you need to know.
Latest Golden Ticket Winners
In the final audition episode of America Idol, judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan awarded the final eight acts a golden ticket, sending them through to Hollywood week.
Yoli Mayor
The 26-year-old stunned the judges with her original song "Beautifully Broken Things" which she dedicated to her grandmother and Cuba, Miami.
Although it was a "no" from Perry, Byran was a "yes" and Richie said he was willing to take a gamble and just like that, Yoli was going to Hollywood.
Danielle Clavell
Aspiring actress Danielle Clavell, 21, performed Demi Lovato's "Warrior" for the judges and earned a golden ticket in the process.
Danielle Clavell received a Golden Ticket and will be heading to Hollywood. Danielle Clavell received a Golden Ticket and will be heading to Hollywood. ABC/Eric McCandless
Katyrah Love
Katryah Love, 23, a homeless youth support facilitator, won a golden ticket following her performance of Bishop Briggs' "River."
Brooks Kidd
Brooks Kidd, 19, performed "Mad World" by British pop act Tears For Fears, and opened up to the judges about music helping him through his experience of bullying, weight loss, and mental health struggles.
Sage
The Burbank nanny took home a golden ticket following her beautiful performance of her own original song.
After her performance, Perry compared Sage to the likes of Joss Stone and Diana Krall, with Richie describing her as "the whole package."
Maurice
Street performer Maurice, 22, sang Morgan Wallen's "Whiskey Glasses" for the judges, earning a golden ticket.
Ava Maybee
Ava Maybee, a 20-year-old college student and the daughter of Red Hot Chilli Peppers drummer Chad Smith, sang Stevie Wonder's "Lately" for her audition and impressed the judges so much, she took home a golden ticket.
Scarlet
Scarlet is no stranger to American Idol having auditioned for the competition in 2021. She did make it through to Hollywood last year but had to pull out to focus on her grades.
Older and wiser at 18-years-old, Scarlet stunned the judges with a performance of her original song titled "Bleeding."
The Platinum Tickets
Judges Perry, Richie, and Bryan had just three platinum tickets to hand out and there was fierce competition among the auditionees to be a recipient.
The platinum tickets are a little different from the golden tickets.
Not only does the platinum ticket secure a spot in Hollywood week, but it also gives them the opportunity to watch the other auditionees in the auditorium, allowing them to eye up the competition and pick their duet partner.
Judge Katy Perry described the recipients of the ticket as the "cream of the crop" during the American Idol panel at the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour.
She explained: "This ticket gives them the ability to go to Hollywood Week, which we've already filmed and was so rigorous and survival of the fittest, and they get to basically observe from the box seats at the theater—one day, they get to rest their voice, strategize, check out the competition and select who they want to duet with."
"They get a tiny advantage because they're the cream of the crop."
Lionel Richie added: "Some people walk out and they're stars, they have all the boxes ticked: stage presence, delivery, their sound, their style. They have it all there so that when they open their mouths you know exactly who they are as artists. It just rings that bell. And when that happens you just give them the platinum ticket as fast as you can."
The Platinum Ticket holders in American Idol 2022 are:
HunterGirl
HunterGirl was the first contestant to win the Platinum Ticket in American Idol.
The 23-year-old country singer, Hunter Wolkonowski, impressed fellow country star Luke Bryan so much, he awarded her a platinum ticket at his Nashville Bar.
Kenedi Anderson
The second golden ticket was awarded to Kenedi Anderson, 17, who impressed the judges with her piano version of Lady Gaga's "Applause".
After her performance, Richie told a stunned Anderson: "You have graced us. Your voice, your look, your sound. Your 17-years-old. Congratulations you've answered our prayers."
Jay Copeland
Katy Perry awarded her platinum ticket to 23-year-old musician Jay Copeland who performed "Signed, Sealed & Delivered" by Stevie Wonder.
After his graduation, he received a standing ovation from the judges, with Katy telling him: "You have done a lot of studying. You could probably skip a day of school. American Idol has been on the air for 20 years, and we think you're the perfect candidate for something" as she handed over the platinum ticket.
American Idol airs Sundays and Mondays at 8 p.m. on ABC