Kansas teen’s ‘American Idol’ run comes to end during first Hollywood week episode
Contestant McKayla Stacey’s journey with season 21 of “American Idol” ended Sunday, when she was cut in the show’s “Hollywood Week.”
McKayla, a sophomore at Andover Central High School, auditioned in October for the show, securing a golden ticket and moving past the auditions to the next round.
“i didn’t make it far, but i still gained so many memories and friends along the way,” McKayla captioned an Instagram post Sunday, saying there are more exciting things to come.
In a phone interview with the Eagle in February, McKayla said her goal was to pursue music full time, no matter what that would look like.
“I want to go on and somehow make a career out of it, whether that’s live performing, studio singing or even just teaching. Like I just love music, so the goal is to really just be able to do it for a living,” she said.
In the first part of “Hollywood Week,” contestants got to be mentored by past performers, including David Archuleta, Catie Turner and Phillip Phillips.
McKayla reunited with season six winner Jordin Sparks, who babysat her when she was a child and mentored her in stage presence.
In the episode, McKayla said having a connection with the show brought challenges.
“I do love having all this history with American Idol, but it does add all of this pressure,” McKayla said in the episode.
McKayla performed “Warrior” by Demi Lovato for the latest episode.
Music is a family business
McKayla’s history with the show runs deep. Her father, Phil Stacey, was a contestant on season six and missed McKayla’s birth to audition.
“I was born into American Idol,” McKayla said on the show.
Phil ended in sixth place that season in 2007. The number six was one of the reasons McKayla auditioned.
“[My dad] was on season six of American Idol, and since the show was switched to ABC, this is the new season six,” McKayla previously told the Eagle. “So I was like, I need to do it.”
After she was cut, her father told the cameras how proud he was of his daughter for making it to “Hollywood week.”
“I’m super proud of her, I think she’s amazing,” Phil Stacey said in the episode.
McKayla’s audition aired at the end of February, and she sang “She Used to be Mine” by Sara Bareilles, gaining two “yes” votes from Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, which earned her a ticket to Hollywood.
The next episode of “American Idol” premieres Monday night, and the contestants will face the duet competition.
“American Idol” airs every Sunday and Monday at 7 p.m. Central Standard Time on ABC and can be streamed on Hulu the day after airing.
