‘Idol’ Contestant Nick Merico and All the Fuss

Gettyimages | Lester Cohen

Last season, Nick Merico appeared before ‘American Idol’ judges for an audition and received encouraging feedback from Luke Bryan, Katie Perry and Lionel Richie. The 23-year-old was given the chance of a lifetime to advance his ‘Idol’ experience, but at the last minute he dropped out of the competition.

Now, the former Nickelodeon star is back for another try. Katie Perry is not very impressed, and Lionel Richie is none too happy even to the point where the All Night Long singer told Merico that “he did not like him.”

Gettyimages | Jason Merritt/TERM

According to Nick Merico, he walked away due to a family emergency that he could not go into detail about. In a Skype interview with Colt Balok, the former Nickelodeon star explained, “Unfortunately, something happened with my family that I can’t really disclose that forced me to back out of the competition. And I hate to say that, but that’s what happened. It’s the truth, man.”

Merico told the judges when asked why he left that, “I had to figure out a lot of things and really take the last year as a boot camp. You guys are so kind to me and I’m so grateful for this second opportunity. That’s why I’m here…to sing to you guys again today.”

Wikimedia | https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lionel_Richie_2012_2.jpg

While each judge was impressed with Merico’s rendition of Lauren Daigle’s You Say, they each warned the singer about his attitude. Lionel Richie went even further.

“We have a big problem, because, honestly, I don’t like,” Richie said. “For some weird reason, you’re not sitting well with me. I don’t like your voice. I’m being honest. I’m being very honest. I don’t like your attitude and I don’t really think you’re going to make it in Hollywood.”

When Richie asked Merico how he felt, Merico replied, “I feel hurt.”

“Good,” Richie responded. “That’s exactly what I want you to feel like because I want you to understand what it feels like when people don’t adore you.”

Gettyimages | Victor Chavez

Popstar Katy Perry did not seem too trusting of Merico either and said that his “ghosting” triggered her. The ‘Idol’ judges urged the singer to work on his ego before they officially send him off to Hollywood Week. Though the judges, or at least Lionel Richie, may have come off as being a little gruff, were they simply giving the young hopeful a reality check?

Sometimes it takes whatever it takes to bring about some humbling. Besides, it all ended with hugs and handshakes and Nick Merico made it through one hurdle and got a golden ticket.

Gettyimages | Amy Sussman

Nick does have some experience in the world of entertainment. He appeared in the 2011 ‘Charlie’s Angels’ series and is perhaps best known for playing the part of Daniel Miller in Nickelodeon’s ‘Every Witch Way.’ His other film credits include: ‘Trico Tri Happy Halloween (2018) and the 2019 short ‘First Timers.’

Merico sings and plays the guitar and piano. He already resides in Hollywood, California and has his own YouTube channel.

‘American Idol’ airs on Sundays at 8:00 p.m. EST on ABC.