"American Idol" fans adored a Murfreesboro-residing contestant who has loved watching the reality singing competition show since he was a kid: 27-year-old Jordan McCullough. Graced by being a Platinum Ticket Winner through a vote by his fellow contestants during the first-ever Ohana Round on the 24th season of the ABC show, Jordan typically is a worship director at Zeal Church in Nashville.
As of May 4, Jordan was voted by viewers into the show's top three spots, enabling a hometown parade and concert at Siegel Indoor Soccer Complex.
For the finale on May 11, Jordan sang a trio with Daniel Stallworth and one of his personal singing heroes, Tori Kelly. "I always say, if I could be like any artist when the show is over, it'd be Tori Kelly. She's so highly respected for her faith."
“In church is where I got my (singing) start. I didn’t know this was a possibility outside of the choir stand," he shares, indicating he started singing when he was 4 years old.
Alicia Keys served as guest mentor and performer on the finale.
Jordan was one of 127 contestants to receive Golden Tickets for advancing to the Hollywood Week stage (this time held in Nashville as a "Music City Takeover"). Contestants were chosen from initial auditions to compete for a spot in the Top 30, while thousands auditioned virtually and in-person earlier in the season.
In April on the show, Jordan blasted a gospel-infused take on Queen’s “Somebody to Love" tune, which cemented his spot in the show's top nine rankings, based on public voting. After that performance, he was awarded a one-on-one mentoring session with American Idol alumna, singer and actress Jennifer Hudson. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member and Idol judge Lionel Richie described Jordan's "Somebody" performance as a “drop the mic moment.”
Jordan admitted he'd heard the song for the first time only the day before he selected it. “I wanted to find myself in rock-n-roll,” he says. “I feel like me, as a worship leader, and predominantly singing gospel, you don’t always see that in rock-n-roll.”
Idol judge Carrie Underwood lauded him: "You just proved anybody can rock.”
Celebrity mentors Pat Benatar and her husband, Neil Giraldo, heaped praise on Jordan during early practice rounds, encouraging him to command the music stage like having connective, emotional moments during church services. And he certainly did.
He quickly became backed by many in Murfreesboro and Middle Tennesse. Connie Neville Harle posted online midway through the contest: "Jordan, you already won American Idol in my book. Go murfreesboro. U represent us, so awesome."
Donut Country in Murfreesboro even dedicated a chocolate cream-filled doughnut named The Jordan McCream. Store owner Kristy Davis says they made about 200 special Jordan doughnuts for two days' distribution, and sold out of them pronto!
Among songs Jordan performed on American Idol Season 24:
- "Footprints in the Sand" (Leona Lewis); Top 5 Performance
- "A Song For You" (Donny Hathaway); Duet with Elliott Yamin
- "I Can't Make You Love Me" (Bonnie Raitt/George Michael)
- "Always Be My Baby" (Mariah Carey)
- "Colors of the Wind" (Disney's Pocahontas/Judy Kuhn)
- "Tim McGraw" (Taylor Swift)
- "Grandma's Hands" (Bill Withers); Ohana Round
After Jordan's hometown parade and concert May 6, he stated: "Thank you Murfreesboro! I feel the love, I receive your support and I’m forever grateful for you."
Jordan McCullough was said to have taken "American Idol to church" several times. His version of "I Can't Make You Love Me" during the Top 7 California-themed episode received high praise from judges, with Carrie Underwood noting she could "hear the Holy Spirit" and Jennifer Hudson, as the guest mentor, throwing her (signature gesture) shoes in appreciation.