“[Idol] University has been waiting for you. It’s mesmerizing to watch because it’s not just singing. It’s stage presence, which is something we can’t teach,” Lionel Richie said.By
Melinda Lorge
Jordan McCullough; Photo Courtesy of American Idol via ABC
American Idol Season 24 is back, kicking off its third round of auditions at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. Among the hopefuls is Jordan McCullough, a 27-year-old worship director from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, who believes he has what it takes to win it all.
McCullough’s audition opened the two-hour episode, where he shared that he has been a longtime fan of the reality TV competition series. He even keeps up with past winners, posting a picture of himself meeting Jamal Roberts, who took the crown in Season 23.
Speaking with judges Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and Lionel Richie, McCullough recalled his musical beginnings, which he said began “in church.”
“That’s where I got my start,” he said. “I didn’t know that any of this was a possibility outside of the choir stand. Just four years old, I was singing in the choir, and yeah, that’s where it started.”
For his audition, McCullough brought his musical upbringing to the stage, announcing, “Well, we’re going to bring the choir stand here, and I’m going to sing ‘Goodness of God.’”
The song, originally by Bethel Music and Jenn Johnson and famously performed by CeCe Winans, immediately earned a nod of approval from Underwood, who has a broad appreciation for music spanning country, Christian, and even heavy metal genres.
From the first note, McCullough’s natural vocal ability was clear.
With soulful, resonant pipes and a commanding presence, he used subtle hand gestures to bring the lyrics to life, while a pianist accompanied him with elegance. McCullough’s belting voice filled the room, as he perfectly conveyed the emotion and devotion in the song. Mid-performance, Richie mouthed out the word, “Wow,” clearly showing he was moved by the depth of McCullough’s delivery.
“All my life You have been faithful / All my life You have been so, so good / With every breath that I am able / Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God,” McCullough sang, flawlessly hitting a soaring falsetto that made the judges lean in closer.
“Woo!” Underwood exclaimed. “That’ll wake ya!” Bryan added, teasing her, “She’s flying up out of that chair, levitating.”
“I was. How can you not?” she laughed. “You’ve been given an incredible gift, and I love that you use it. The first two words out of your mouth gave me chills. It felt like worship. It wasn’t forced, it was genuine, and we were all in the moment with you. I’m looking forward to more goosey moments as the competition continues.”
Bryan praised the size and classic tone of McCullough’s voice, calling it “big enough to fill up any room.” Richie agreed, adding, “[Idol] University has been waiting for you. It’s mesmerizing to watch because it’s not just singing. It’s stage presence, which is something we can’t teach.”
As expected, McCullough earned green lights from all three judges, securing his golden ticket to Hollywood before exiting the audition stage.
Fans can look forward to more of McCullough’s inspiring performances as American Idol returns with all-new episodes on ABC every Monday. As Underwood promised, more goosebump-inducing moments are surely on the way.