One year after sailing through his first “American Idol” audition — one that the public never got to see — Julián Kalel of El Paso, Texas, bravely returned to the show on February 2, 2026, to try out for season 24.
After judge Luke Bryan said Kalel had been on his mind a lot, producers aired part of the 19-year-old’s successful season 23 audition. It was then revealed that even though Kalel easily earned a golden ticket to Hollywood from Bryan and his fellow judges, he had to leave the show to prioritize his mental health. His return was a powerful one, including his performance of an original song — “Lone Guitar” — about choosing to live after contemplating suicide.
Julián Kalel Shares His Healing Journey & Hope to Advance on ‘American Idol’
Bryan and his fellow judges, Carrie Underwood and Lionel Richie, were relieved to see Kalel return with his sister Julia, a violinist there to accompany him like she did during season 23. In footage from his original audition, Richie called him a “straight-up star” and Underwood said she felt like she was at his concert.
But all of the accolades Kalel received weren’t enough to push him through the mental health challenges he’s dealt with since he was in elementary school, he told producers, noting that he was diagnosed with anxiety and depression as a high school freshman.
“The things that the judges told me, I felt like my life was changing in that moment,” he said. “It was one of the greatest moments of my life. Unfortunately, though, I was not able to continue forward. There were shared concerns about my ability to balance a journey like ‘American Idol’ and my mental health.”
Kalel’s parents, Andres and Melodya, emotionally spoke about their son’s struggles, expressing relief that he came to them about feeling sad all the time. They were able to get him professional help, but his mom got choked up telling host Ryan Seacrest, “It’s been rough. We’ve had some rough years.”
Before performing “Lone Guitar,” a song he first shared with social media fans in the fall of 2025, he explained to the judges, “I wrote it at a very dark time in my life, where I was a crossroads of deciding whether or not to give up or keep going, and found that it’s as simple as just ‘stay one more day.’ That’s the message.”
Fans Were Overwhelmed With Emotion Over Julián Kalel’s Audition & Story
Kalel’s beautiful and heart-wrenching song had Underwood in tears and earned him another ticket to advance on “American Idol.” But she wasn’t the only one moved by his bravery and message.
Fans flooded social media after his audition aired at the end of the season 24’s second episode, including someone who wrote on Instagram, “Julian, you are absolutely incredible and hearing your story followed by your song has brought me to tears. You have such talent and you’re going to touch and save SO many lives. Keep going, my friend! This is only the beginning of an incredible journey for you 
”
Another viewer wrote, “God knew I needed this song tonight. I can’t thank you enough for staying. I needed this tonight. God, I know I’m here for something and I can’t figure it out but brining me here tor hear this. One more day. Thank you. I’m here. Thank you 
”