Season 23 of ”American Idol” ended with Jamal Roberts from Meridian winning the reality singing competition. Could Mississippi go back-to-back with a win in Season 24? It’s possible.
Daniel Stallworth, who was introduced as an elementary school music teacher from Moss Point, wowed judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan, earning praise and a ticket to the next round of the competition during audition rounds Monday, Jan. 26.
Stallworth sang “Don’t Stop Believin” by Journey at Belmont University in Nashville on the first day of competition in the new season. Needing a “yes” vote from only two of the judges to advance to the next phase in Hollywood, he received unanimous thumbs-up.
Richie was the first with praise, saying, “Your students are going to hail you as the greatest thing that has ever shown up in their lives.” Underwood, a previous “American Idol” winner, said “my teeth hurt, because I am smiling so much.” Bryan was the last to judge Stallworth, saying he was just “thinking about how lucky the kids are to have you.”
During an interview, Stallworth said that his students are his joy. “I’m doing this for my students, to let them know you can reach your goals. Never give up. Don’t stop believing.”
American Idol will return Monday, Feb. 2, with the second round of auditions. After four rounds of auditions, Hollywood Week is scheduled to begin Monday, Feb. 23.