Wichita singer Arthur Gunn advances to ‘American Idol’ Top 20, is clear judge favorite
It’s been a long time since Wichita could claim someone in “American Idol’s” top 20 field of contestants — 13 years, to be exact.
But on Sunday night, Wichita’s Arthur Gunn became the latest, joining Phil Stacey, a 1997 Northwest High School graduate who finished in sixth place on “Idol’s” sixth season in 2007, and the late Rickey Smith, a Wichita native and onetime Southeast High School student who finished in eighth place on the show’s second season in 2003. (Smith was killed in a traffic accident in Oklahoma City in 2016.)
When “Idol” — the popular singing competition that has produced stars like Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood — is able to launch its live rounds, Gunn will be one of the 20 singer competing for viewers’ votes, the title of “American Idol” and the fame that comes with it.
And Gunn, 20, whose real name is Dibesh Pokharel, appears to be an early darling of celebrity judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan. On Sunday night’s episode, Richie was effusive when telling Gunn he was advancing to the Top 20.
“You are pure light,” Richie said. “Your job is to come and anoint the world with your gift. We have had some very hard decisions to make, but you, my friend, are probably the easiest decision we ever made. You’re in our Top 20, and you’re our shining star.”
“Thank you for teaching me,” Gunn replied.
A publicist for “American Idol” said Gunn was not available for interviews this week but may be in a week or two.
On Sunday night’s episode, which was filmed in Hawaii in January, Gunn wowed the celebrity judges with a performance of Bob Marley’s “Is This Love.” Five members of his family cheered him on from the audience.
Before he went on stage, Gunn confided to celebrity “mentor” Bobby Bones during an interview that it was all a little difficult for him. Before “Idol,” Gunn was used to performing in coffee houses and bars.
“I have a hard time in front of a lot of people,” he said. “It’s kind of a very new thing for me.”
During his performance, Perry leaned to Richie and said, “He’s so pure.”
“I love him,” Richie replied. “I just love him.”
This season of “American Idol,” which is the 18th overall and the third to air on ABC, is in a bit of a holding pattern because of the coronavirus pandemic. Originally, the live shows were scheduled to start on March 30. But with most of the country shut down and crowds still not able to gather, producers aren’t sure when they’ll be able to start.
This Sunday, April 12, and on Sunday, April 19, “Idol” will air new episodes titled “American Idol: This is Me,” which will profile the top 20 contestants. In the meantime, “We are monitoring the situation and exploring multiple options within statewide guidelines. We will share a production plan as soon as it’s in place,” a statement from “Idol” reads.
Gunn was one of two Wichita-area singers to make it into “Idol’s” Top 40 and earn a chance to perform for the judges in Hawaii. Wellington’s Makayla Brownlee, 17, also was chosen, but she failed to advance to the Top 20.
Gunn and Brownlee were among the hundreds who auditioned for the show when producers came to Wichita for open auditions in September.
This story was originally published April 6, 2020 at 11:18 AM.
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