Bluffton teen back in Los Angeles for Idol’s ‘Grand Finale Week’

Fans of Idol hopeful Lee Jean Jr. may be tuning in one last time to get a final peek at the Bluffton singer this week.

Jean, 16, was asked to return for the show’s “Grand Finale Week” and historic final run which kicks off Tuesday, but it remains unclear as to exactly what role he’ll take.

The show will come to an end after 15 seasons of making aspiring singers’ wishes come true, but not before going out in the grand style fans have become accustomed to.

As part of the finale week the show will air from 8-9 p.m. Tuesday April 5 with a walk down memory lane. Current and former judges, contestants and behind-the-scenes memories will be featured, according to the show’s website.

Then, Wednesday’s live one-hour show will kick off at 8 p.m. with “Part One” of the finale and Thursday’s two-hour show, also starting at 8 p.m., will reveal who will be crowned the new idol as part of “Part Two.”

Jean, who leapfrogged over thousands who turned out in cities across the country to audition, made regular appearances on the reality show before landing in the competition’s Top 8. He was eliminated March 10 after a seven-week run.

The Bluffton High School junior and his mother, Veronica Jean, left for Los Angeles on March 31, Veronica Jean confirmed by phone.

Finalists include Trent Harmon, of Amory, Miss., La’Porsha Renae, of McComb, Miss., and Dalton Rapattoni, of Dallas, Texas.

This story was originally published April 4, 2016 at 5:46 AM with the headline "Bluffton teen back in Los Angeles for Idol’s ‘Grand Finale Week’."