TikToker Bryant Thomas Reveals Face, Gets Engaged During Idol Audition

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Bryant Thomas is ready to face the music.

I’ve been a huge fan of this TikTok creator for ages – he always posts these super cute videos of him singing in the shower, and his girlfriend, Alyona Palhof, films her reactions! It was amazing to finally see his face when he auditioned for American Idol season 24. He sang in front of Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan, and I was so excited for him!

On the January 26th premiere of the show, 26-year-old Bryant performed a cover of Phil Collins’ “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now).” He began the song hidden behind a pillar, then stepped forward to finish the performance. The singer, originally from Mobile, Alabama, and wearing blue aviator sunglasses, received a standing ovation from the judges. He then took off his sunglasses to hear their comments.

Carrie said, “Even though you were behind a pillar, your voice was full of feeling and energy – really well done!”

Bryant received three “yes” votes and a golden ticket, allowing his family, including Alyona, to join him on stage. He then surprised everyone by proposing to his girlfriend.

He said, “From the very beginning, I knew you were the person I wanted to be with. And honestly, I was determined to do this, no matter what happened.”

After Bryant proposed and Alyona said yes, she was thrilled with her engagement ring, gasping, “Oh my God, it’s beautiful!”

The popular singing competition that helped launch the careers of stars like Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Hudson is making a big change this season. For the first time ever, viewers will be able to vote for their favorite singers directly through social media.

According to showrunner Megan Michaels Wolflick, it’s important to connect with viewers on the platforms they’re already using. In an interview with Deadline on January 22nd, she explained that when the show started in 2002, texting was the cutting-edge way to interact. Now, they need to adapt to current technology and make voting and sharing opinions simple and convenient for viewers, allowing them to participate live from their homes using any device.

Hey everyone! As a new season of American Idol kicks off, I wanted to give you a little peek behind the curtain – a look at what really happens while they’re making the show. I’ll be sharing some insider info, so stay tuned!

According to former contestants, you only start getting paid on American Idol once you reach the live shows. Margie Mays, who competed in seasons 17 and 18, explained in a 2020 TikTok that contestants aren’t paid just for being on the show, but they do receive compensation for things like appearing in commercials or returning for finale performances. Travel expenses, like trips to Hawaii, are also covered, and contestants receive a daily allowance for food.

While there’s a significant prize for winning – $250,000 – it’s not a straightforward payout. Maddie Poppe, the winner of season 16, told Business Insider in 2022 that half the prize money is given upfront to help fund the winner’s record, and the other half is paid after the record is completed. Essentially, it’s an advance on the record deal that the winner is expected to earn back.

That’s not quite how it works. Actually, David Cook, winner of season seven, revealed that his initial audition wasn’t the first round – it was his fifth! There are several ways to try out for the show, including open calls, online virtual auditions, and through social media. However, if the producers like your audition and ask you to come back, you’re responsible for getting yourself there. David explained that once you reach Hollywood Week, the show covers your travel and lodging, but for the earlier city auditions, you have to pay for everything yourself.

So you’ve landed a golden ticket on American Idol – amazing! One of the first questions I get asked is, ‘What happens next, and who pays for everything?’ Let me break it down for you. Once the judges – right now that’s Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan – say yes, you’re headed to Hollywood Week in California. The good news is, the show does cover your travel! They fly you out, book your flights, and even get you from the airport to your hotel. Plus, your hotel and meals are all taken care of during Hollywood Week. Just to be clear, they aren’t handing out cash, but they are covering all of your essential expenses, which is a huge relief when you’re chasing your dreams!

In the beginning of the competition, contestants choose their own outfits. As Margie explained in a 2020 TikTok video, once they reach the live rounds – typically the Top 14 and beyond – the show provides stylists to handle their wardrobe, hair, and makeup. The goal is to completely transform their look from ordinary to star-worthy throughout the season.

However, stylists have a budget to work with. Soyon An, a former costume designer, told The Hollywood Reporter in 2013 that contestants were given $400 per episode for clothing. If they wanted an outfit that cost more than that, they had to pay the difference themselves. This is because the show is about building a personal brand and image for each contestant.

 

Once the results are announced on the show and contestants are eliminated, they quickly pack up and leave. According to a former contestant, Margie, those cut during Hollywood Week are often sent home as soon as flights can be arranged – they leave the theater and head straight to a hotel before flying out. Later in the competition, things change slightly. During the Hawaii round, everyone flies back to Los Angeles together, regardless of whether they made it to the Top 20. And if a contestant is eliminated between the Top 20 and Top 10, they usually leave pretty quickly. However, those who reach the Top 10 and are then cut are likely to stay in the competition apartments until the finale, as they’ll be brought back to perform.

As a lifestyle expert, I often get asked about the realities of being a young performer on shows like American Idol. It’s fascinating to see how these talented teens balance chasing their dreams with, well, actually being teens! Because of child labor laws, contestants need to be at least 15 to compete, which means many are still in school. I’ve learned that Idol takes this seriously. Danielle Finn, a Top 24 contestant, told Clark Beckham that they had to have a school right on set! They were limited to 10-hour filming days, and if they went over, they’d be pulled aside. Any free time was immediately filled with schoolwork. Victoria Johnson, who made it to the Showstopper round, had a similar experience. Even though she was on spring break during Hollywood Week, she still had to complete her required school hours – she even joked about just doing puzzles since she was ahead in her classes! She’s now taking all her classes online to accommodate the filming schedule, which is a common solution for young contestants juggling both worlds.

Throughout the history of American Idol, the contestants’ living arrangements have varied greatly, from apartments and hotels to luxurious mansions. One house, used during season eight, was particularly extravagant, featuring amenities like a basketball court, bowling alley, home theater, and both indoor and outdoor pools. Contestant Lil Rounds recalled the season eight mansion as “soo awesome” in a February 2024 Instagram post, but also noted they didn’t get much sleep. More recently, contestants seem to be staying in hotels. For example, season 22 winner Abi Carter and finalist Julia Gagnon shared a room during the competition.

Life was incredibly hectic for contestants on American Idol. Season two winner Ruben Studdard described a whirlwind schedule that included choosing songs, rehearsing, recording commercials, and filming promotional packages. He recalled receiving songs on Thursday, making final selections by Sunday, and then heading to the studio to perfect the tracks. By Tuesday morning, they’d do a complete run-through of the show, well before the episode aired. Then, the cycle would start all over again with eliminations on Wednesday.

As the competition narrowed, the workload didn’t decrease – it actually intensified. Jena Irene Asciutto, a runner-up from season thirteen, explained that as contestants were eliminated, those remaining had to fill more time in each episode. She noted that around the top eight, they began filming Ford commercials every Sunday, adding to the already demanding schedule.

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2026-01-27 19:47