‘American Idol’ Reveals Kelsie Dolin’s Fate After Life-Changing ‘Idol’ Journey

ABC’s American Idol viewers have witnessed something truly spectacular throughout the milestone Season 20: the evolution of Kelsie Dolin.  When…

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Lauren Jo Black

| Posted on

April 4, 2022

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Kelsie Dolin; Photo Courtesy ABC, American Idol

ABC’s American Idol viewers have witnessed something truly spectacular throughout the milestone Season 20: the evolution of Kelsie Dolin

When Dolin first auditioned, she was quiet, timid and unsure of herself. Thanks to some help from the judges, Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie, and some encouragement from fellow contestant, Betty Maxwell, Dolin came out of her shell by the Showstopper Round and truly transformed her on-stage persona. 

This round found the show narrowing down the 59 remaining contestants to officially name the Top 24. This marked the first time the contestants had the opportunity to perform alongside a full and in front of a live audience.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Kelsie Dolin (@officialkelsiedolin)

Following their performances, the contestants appeared in front of the judges for the “final judgement” as they learned their fate regarding the Top 24. 

For this round, Dolin, who is pregnant with her first child, chose to perform Lewis Capaldi’s “Before You Go.”

“I wanna make it to the Top 24 for myself, I kind of want to prove myself wrong,” Dolin admitted ahead of her performance. “I know I’m coming out of my shell. It’s scary but it’s good as well.”

The West Virginia native confidently displayed her vocals in front of her fellow contestants and judges. 

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Kelsie Dolin (@officialkelsiedolin)

“Thank you,” Dolin shared upon earning a standing ovation. 

“I think she got what she came for,” Perry said, referencing Dolin’s newfound confidence.

“Her growth… Wow,” Bryan pointed out. 

“Before American Idol, I didn’t talk to nobody, I shied to myself, because I had put it in my head that they were all judging me on the way I acted or the way that I looked. I cared too much about what people in the audience were thinking about me. I don’t give two craps now,” Dolin explained. 

“Kelsie, you have been our angel in residence here,” Richie said. “The best thing that we saw was that light come on inside of you. This is the new you, so I want to hear from you what this experience has meant.”

“I feel like I have something that I didn’t have coming here,” Dolin explained before Bryan asked, “you get some more confidence?”

“Yeah, I feel a lot better about myself,” Dolin admitted.

“As far as we’re concerned, you’ve already won the competition,” Richie added. “Unfortunately, It’s not going to be the next round for you.”

“That’s okay,” Dolin said. 

Kelsie Dolin, American Idol
Kelsie Dolin, American Idol

“We love you sweetheart,” Richie gushed. 

Before exiting the competition, Dolin explained how her American Idol journey was life-changing for her. 

“I think my life before American Idol was very closed up and shy and beat herself down. I’m just grateful,” Dolin reflected. “I want people who don’t believe in themselves to know that if you don’t believe in yourself, just take a little step, it don’t have to be great big then you can do anything you want to.” 

American Idol returns to ABC next week with the Top 24.

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Lauren Jo Black

Written by

Lauren Jo Black

Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.