Wichita’s ‘American Idol’ star Arthur Gunn is getting another shot at the title
A year ago at this time, Wichita was distracting itself from the new realities of a global pandemic by watching Wichita singer Arthur Gunn compete on “American Idol.”
That season, during which contestants performed via video feeds from their homes around the country, ended with Gunn coming in second place to winner Just Sam.
But now, Gunn is getting another shot at the “American Idol” title.
Monday’s episode of the show featured a twist: 10 of last year’s top 20 finalists performed, then the public was asked to vote to allow one of them to take a spot as a top 10 finalist in this year’s competition, judged by celebrity singers Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. Gunn is one of those 10, along with Season 18 contestants like Louis Knight and Nick Merico.
Producers have said they want to give those contestants, who so gamely performed from their homes last year, a chance to play on the real “American Idol” stage in person. When it was his turn on Monday, Gunn performed a rendition of “Iris” by Goo Goo Dolls.
Voting lines opened Monday and will remain open until 5 p.m. on Monday, April 26. The winner of the vote will be revealed during a show set to air on Sunday, May 2.
Gunn recently posted about the twist on his social media accounts and encouraged people to text his contestant number, C6, to 21523. People can vote that way 10 times. They also can vote through the website idolvoteabc.com and by downloading the “American Idol” app and signing up.
Gunn, whose birth name is Dibesh Pokharel, was born in Kathmandu, Nepal, and moved to Wichita seven years ago. He was at the ”American Idol” auditions that rolled through Wichita in September 2019.
Since the Season 18 finale last May, Gunn has self released two albums but hasn’t been signed to any major record deal.
Wichita has had several singers appear on “American Idol,” but before Gunn was named runner-up last year, 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.
This story was originally published April 19, 2021 at 11:02 AM.
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