Lucas: Bluffton 'Idol' hopeful Lee Jean lands in the Top 24
Bluffton's Lee Jean took a huge step forward Thursday night on "American Idol."
As the competition for the reality TV show heated up, the 16-year-old made it through "Hollywood Week" and found himself among the Top 24 semi-finalists billed as "the best of the best."
Jean has been making regular appearances on the show since Jan. 27 when Hollywood Week began. Last week, he passed through the grueling "Group Rounds," and on Wednesday night he sailed through the show's "Solo Round."
Thursday night, things seemed to intensify as the threat of additional eliminations from the group of 51 loomed large. "Idol" hopefuls knew that more than half of them would be going home, but who would it be?
Jean was busy getting ready to head back to California toward the end of the week for additional appearances when Thursday night's show aired. The family has made several trips to Los Angeles as part of the competition's rigorous schedule.
When reached by phone, Jean said he was still "in shock" over his success.
"I still don't know what to think," he said, laughing. "It's just insane. I've always wanted to do something like this and now it's actually happening."
On Thursday night's show, "Idol" hopefuls again performed -- this time in front of a live audience.
After their performances, they were called in, one by one, to chat with judges who then told them in person whether they had made the cut.
"It was a bit nerve-wracking," Jean said. "You honestly don't know what to think. There are people that you wouldn't even imagine going home (who were going home)."
Jean also received a light scolding from megastar Jennifer Lopez after the teen shushed his audience twice.
"If they want to clap, let them clap," she told him.
Then judges told Jean he had secured a spot among the competition's elite.
Now Jean finds himself facing some of the toughest weeks ahead in the competition -- weeks that will include more performances, more critiques by the judges, more pressure and all while America is watching and analyzing on social media.
Still, the high school junior said he plans to continue doing exactly what he's been doing.
"I'm just going to do my best now, and I'll see where that gets me," he said. "I'm just taking everything day by day. Pretty much minute by minute."
Follow Mindy Lucas on Twitter at twitter.com/MindyatIPBG.
Related content:
- Lucas: Bluffton 'Idol' hopeful Lee Jean enters second week in Hollywood with parents, school behind him, Feb. 2, 2016
- Lucas: Look for Bluffton's Lee Jean on 'Hollywood Week' this week, Jan. 26, 2016
This story was originally published February 4, 2016 at 9:17 PM with the headline "Lucas: Bluffton 'Idol' hopeful Lee Jean lands in the Top 24."