Just one day after reaching the Top 16 at American Idol, Park City resident Wyatt Pike gave up the competition.
Host idol Ryan Seacrest made the announcement at the beginning of Monday night’s ABC show. “I have to tell you that finalist Wyatt Pike will not be competing. He had to give up. But we wish him all the best.”
The night before, 24 finalists were reduced to 16 during a two-hour broadcast. Pike was the second competitor in his group to advance. The judges complimented Pike’s rendition of “Use Somebody” by Kings of Leon. Katy Perry called him a “true singer-songwriter” and suggested that he be a leader in the competition. Luke Bryan said Pike would be “able to make music for the rest of his life.” And Lionel Richie said Pike has a style that judges liked to follow, and the 20-year-old was on his way to “something big.”
Late Monday night, Pike was silent about his departure from the show. Pike’s latest activity on social media was a post he made last Wednesday with images from the Park City area, saying “Something to feel this way about: home. Thank you for the roller coaster I’m on today. ”
KPCW tried to reach Pike and an American Idol publicist who helped facilitate interviews with Pike during the show, but received no response. Until last year, Pike was a volunteer DJ at KPCW. He spoke with Leslie Thatcher of KPCW Local news time on March 26 about his experience on American Idol. people The magazine reports that a representative of American Idol said that “Wyatt cannot continue for personal reasons.”