WATCH: Elijah McCormick’s Rascal Flatts Cover Brings Lionel Richie To Tears On ‘American Idol’
In 2019, McCormick was involved in a tragic accident that nearly took his life. Now, he sings with a purpose.
Elijah McCormick; Photo by ABC, American Idol
American Idol auditions are underway and Idol hopeful Elijah McCormick left a lasting impression on the judges with his emotional rendition of a Rascal Flatts hit.
McCormick, who hails from Raeford, North Carolina, has been singing since he was about 6 years old but said that he truly fell in love with music when he was in high school. Unfortunately, that’s also the time he faced a life-changing event that nearly took his life.
Prior to his performance, the 21-year-old recalled a tragic car accident that left him severely injured.
“On graduation day 2019, I was in a bad car accident. The car caught on fire. I had to learn how to walk and talk again,” he explained.
The contestant’s mother, Teshauana, who also attended his audition, shared, “I got a phone call. I thought it was just a fender bender. But when I got there, it was terrifying.”
He was airlifted to the hospital and flatlined multiple times on the way. Following the accident, McCormick faced a long recovery that included 79 days in the hospital, and numerous surgeries.
“I really don’t know where I’d be if he hadn’t made it,” his mom tearfully added.
When he awoke, his first question was, “Mama, can I still sing?”
Eventually, Elijah McCormick found his voice again and made the decision to make music his purpose in life.
For his audition, McCormick chose to sing Rascal Flatts’ “Bless The Broken Road.” His vocals thoroughly impressed Idol judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie and left Richie in tears.
“Got me, boy,” Richie said as tears streamed down his face.
The judges then made their way across the room to offer McCormick hugs.
While seated back at the judges’ table, they each took a moment to comment on his audition.
“I just got to say it. I mean. The last person I saw approach singing like you was Willie Spence,” Bryan said, referring to the late Season 19 finalist.
Richie agreed, adding, “It’s the same approach.”
“I mean, you hit one of those notes, and I thought of Willie, and from then on, I couldn’t recover,” the “Stuck On You” singer admitted. “I was trying to look very dignified, and then you just beat me up some more. But let me tell you this. God brought you back nine times for you to do something amazing. I’m so glad you’re here with us. That was just one of those moments in my life that I’ll never forget.”
The singer then revealed that his mother signed him up for American Idol prior to his accident.
“I had my ID number and everything,” he told the superstar judges.
“You are just here fulfilling your destiny. This was always meant to be,” Perry declared.
After bringing in his mother at the request of the judges, McCormick’s fate on Idol was revealed.
“Your son, when he opens his mouth, he’s divine. God brought him back for a purpose in life, and it starts right here. I know you went through absolute torture. Well, God bless you, and your family, and that golden child right there,” Richie told her.
“The golden child deserves the golden ticket,” Perry added as all three judges voted “yes.”
After the judges’ decision was revealed McCormick and his mother shared a hug.
American Idol airs every Sunday at 8/7c on ABC.
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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