Julián Kalel made an emotional and triumphant return to American Idol, stepping back in front of the Idol judges again after stepping away from the popular singing competition show in 2025 to focus on his mental health and personal well-being.
The 19-year-old college student from El Paso, Texas, was greeted warmly by Idol judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan, all of whom instantly remembered him from Season 23 in 2025. “Do you remember this kid?” Underwood asked Bryan, to which he replied, “Yes, I thought about him a lot” before welcoming Kalel into the audition room with, “We are so happy to see you!”
The aspiring singer/songwriter took a moment to reminisce on his prior experience on Idol. “Last year I auditioned. I had no idea what to expect. Obviously I was terrified. When I talk about it with my sister, we both say that we’ve kind of just blacked out and gave a performance of our lives, I guess,” Kalel explained of his previous Idol audition, where he performed “Surrender,” an original song that speaks to anxiety and depression. At the time, all three Idol judges praised Kalel and dubbed him a bonafide “star,” and even predicted that he may win that season of the show.
Fast-forward one year, and Julián Kalel is back in front of the same judges with another original song and a second chance.
“The things that the judges told me, I felt like my life was changing in that moment,” he added, reflecting on that audition. “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 mental health was not in a great place at the time, as he struggled with severe anxiety and depression. “For me, anxiety is just like a big wave crashing on you, and you just drown. I was questioning the value of my life,” he admitted to Idol producers. “Music is my lifeline. It’s what keeps me grounded. I had so much to smile about with my audition, and I just knew I would really regret it if I didn’t give this another shot. I’m just hoping that whatever I’m doing just reflects the message of just not giving up and, most importantly, to not be defined by your struggles, but by your strengths. I choke up just thinking about it because I’m very lucky to be here. Life is a gift.”
Richie comforted Kalel, “For you to come back out here to try this. We are very happy and proud of you.”
Julián Kalel then went on to deliver an impressive performance of “Lone Guitar,” an original song that Kalel wrote during a “dark time in my life where I was at a crossroads of deciding whether or not to give up or to keep going and found that it’s as simple as just stay one more day. That’s the message.”
“What do you see when you look at me?/ The blessings that I’m letting go, Lord, you forgive so easily/ It’s getting harder to find peace/ Get the chance to grow old, I’m not the man I should be/ Never fail to travel hell and back every night/ Too far gone for praying/ Just a boy afraid to die,” Kalel sang with a voice reminiscent of Noah Kahan as he strummed his acoustic guitar, and his sister Karyssa played the violin. “… An empty chair, a family broken/pain is all I caused/I should stay, I should stay.”
Throughout the performance, Idol highlighted the judges’ reactions, with Carrie Underwood visibly emotional and Luke Bryan beaming with pride at how far Kalel has come.