‘American Idol’: Jordan McCullough on How ‘The Voice’ Rejection Shaped His Audition

Seven years before Jordan McCullough was named runner-up in Season 24 of American Idol, he auditioned for another singing competition: The Voice. Things didn’t work out so well for him on that journey, though, as he didn’t even make it past the Blind Audition phase!

Jordan sang for Kelly Clarkson, Gwen Stefani, John Legend, and Blake Shelton, but none of the superstar coaches turned around for his performance of “Let Me Love You” by Mario.

The worship leader told TV Insider that he was hesitant to try out for Idol at first because “I kind of knew I didn’t want to set myself up again.” Jordan admitted, “It stings a little bit when you put yourself out there in a vulnerable state like that.”

However, when an Idol recruiter saw him singing on social media and reached out, he decided to go for it, and he took the lessons he learned from being rejected on The Voice into this process.

“I think the first time, I was just trying to prove myself, prove myself worthy of being in that room,” he explained. “This time, you’re either going to love it or not, and I don’t have to prove nothing to nobody. I know the Lord loves me and I love him and he made this opportunity, so I’m just going to walk in it.”

Of course, that ended up paying off, because Jordan made it all the way to the finale this time around. He finished in second place behind Hannah Harper. And now that the show is over, Jordan is looking forward to what’s next.

“I didn’t really consider myself an artist before all this happened,” he admitted. “I just wanted to audition for American Idol. I never in a million years expected to be this far in the show. So what I keep hearing over the last few days is, ‘Ready or not, it’s here.’ So, ‘or not’ is where I’m at, but I’m excited to see what the future holds. I’m excited to get in the studio and start making some music. People really want it. I really want it. That’s what I’m looking forward to.”