Wichita singer Arthur Gunn named runner-up on ‘American Idol’
Wichita singer Arthur Gunn was named the runner-up on ABC’s “American Idol” on Sunday.
And although he didn’t win the title, he came closer than any other Wichitan ever has.
The singer, 22, was first announced on Sunday’s finale as a member of the Top 5, and in the last few minutes of the show, host Ryan Seacrest revealed that he was in the Top 2.
His family, gathered with him on the back deck of his east Wichita home, seemed to think he had won and jumped around popping champagne after New York City singer Just Sam was crowned the winner.
The judges, though, predicted bright things for Gunn, who on the finale performed “I Don’t Want To Be” by Gavin DeGraw and a unique version of “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” by Creedence Clearwater Revival.
Judge Luke Bryan, a cheerleader of Gunn’s from the start, sang his praises again on Sunday.
“You’re a star,” he said. “You’re authentic. If there are any more like you in Kathmandu, please get on the phone and call them and tell them to come out next year.”
Gunn, whose birth name is Dibesh Pokharel, was born in Kathmandu, Nepal, and moved to Wichita six years ago. He was at the ”American Idol” auditions that rolled through Wichita last September.
Wichita has had several singers appear on “American Idol,” but before Sunday, the closest any had come to winning was Northwest High School graduate Phil Stacey, who placed sixth on the show’s sixth season in 2007.
Earlier on Sunday, Wichita fans of Gunn organized an impromptu car parade to rally behind him. And many Wichitans posted support for him on social media.
This story was originally published May 17, 2020 at 9:04 PM.
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