He made it into the final 12 of this season’s American Idol.
But at the start of Monday’s live show, Ryan Seacrest announced that contestant Wyatt Pike had quit the talent competition.
Last week, the 20-year-old had posted photos to Instagram sharing he was back home in Park City, Utah.
Departure: Wyatt Pike, 20, has unexpectedly quit American Idol ‘for personal reasons’ after making it into the talent competition’s top 12
In sharing the news of Pike’s departure, Seacrest said: ‘Before we get to the results, I have to tell you that finalist Wyatt Pike will not be competing in the competition. He had to drop out, but we wish him the very best.’
Meanwhile, a rep for American Idol told People: ‘Wyatt could not continue due to personal reasons.’
No further details about the reason for his departure have been given by Pike himself who has not posted to his Instagram since last Wednesday.
Unexpected: Idol host Ryan Seacrest announced the news at the start of Monday’s live episode saying Pike ‘had to drop out, but we wish him the very best’
Promise: On Sunday night’s pre-recorded episode of American Idol, Pike went from the top 16 to the top 12 after performing Use Somebody by Kings of Leon
Home: Last week, Pike had posted photos to Instagram sharing he was back home in Park City, Utah. He hasn’t posted anything since then
Monday was the first live show in the current season.
Sunday night’s pre-taped episode had shown Pike making it from the top 16 into the top 12.
He had performed his own version of Use Somebody by Kings of Leon which received a rave review from the judges.
Talented: Pike, pictured with Seacrest on Sunday’s episode, received rave reviews from the judges
‘I think you do have a little bit of an angle in this competition that you’re an authentic singer-songwriter,’ Katy Perry told Pike.
‘I think whatever happens, you’re it,’ she added.
Luke Bryan said Pike was going to ‘be able to do music for the rest of his life’ while Lionel Richie reckoned the young man was on his ‘way to something big.’
Praise: ‘I think you do have a little bit of an angle in this competition that you’re an authentic singer-songwriter,’ Katy Perry told Pike. ‘I think whatever happens, you’re it’
Thumbs up: Luke Bryan said Pike was going to ‘be able to do music for the rest of his life’ while Lionel Richie reckoned the young man was on his ‘way to something big’
Source: Daily Mail
