‘American Idol’ airs profile of Arthur Gunn co-starring Wichita, his parents and sisters
“American Idol” has its Top 20 contestants — including Wichita singer Arthur Gunn — but because of the coronavirus pandemic, the popular ABC singing competition is not able to continue with its live shows, where America votes to start paring down the list.
To fill the time while we wait, producers have put together clip shows called “American Idol: This is Me,” and the first one aired last Sunday, featuring a deeper dive into the life stories of the Top 20 contestants.
On Sunday, Gunn — whose birth name is Dibesh Pokharel — was featured in a five-minute package that included footage shot in Wichita as well as interviews with his parents and two of his sisters.
Gunn, who told The Wichita Eagle before the shows started airing about his journey to the United States from Kathmandu, Nepal, after high school, was a musician since the age of 2, his sisters, Rubi and Rupa, said in the package.
“My mom used to get him like small guitars and stuff,” Rupa said. “I remember him playing those and just singing random songs.”
The sisters said they always knew their brother was talented but were impressed by how far he’s come considering he never had any formal music training.
The package that aired last Sunday included lots of footage viewers have seen before, including a clip of Gunn walking down Douglas Avenue in Wichita, a guitar slung over his back.
But it also included some new shots, including footage of him singing The Black Crowes’ “Hard to Handle” during Hollywood week.
It also showed a backstage interview with Gunn before his performances in Hawaii, which earned him a spot in the Top 20. His parents and sisters were there to watch, and Gunn said it meant a lot to him that they could see him perform on such a big stage.
“My parents, they worked very hard to raise my four sisters and me,” he said. “I feel like I owe everything to them.”
The package concluded with footage of Gunn playing around on the beach in Hawaii and doing a back flip in the ocean.
It also showed his parents, Datram and Maiya, speaking to the cameras in their native language.
“This means a lot,” Datram said. “To see my son’s dreams come true, that’s one of the proudest things as a parent.”
A second round of contestant profiles will air this Sunday on ABC.
This story was originally published April 13, 2020 at 2:07 PM.
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