The American Idol season 21 platinum ticket recipients earned their advantage during Hollywood Week, and it's time to get to know these four talented singers. American Idol introduced the platinum tickets to honor season 20. Only one talented singer from each audition city receives a platinum ticket to Hollywood instead of a golden ticket from the judges, Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan. These special tickets give the recipients, Cam Amen (New Orleans), Kaylin Hedges (Nashville), Tyson Venegas (Las Vegas), and Elijah McCormick (New Orleans/America's Platinum Ticket), the advantage of sitting out the first round of the challenging Hollywood Week. They also had first choice for their duet partners.

American Idol season 21 featured the first-ever America's Platinum Ticket. The vote occurred during the American Music Awards, which aired on November 20, 2022. Fans had 24 hours to vote for their favorite of three contestants to earn a platinum ticket. Elijah was crowned the winner, and sang a beautiful rendition of "Bless the Broken Road" by Rascal Flatts for his audition. He competed against Matt Wilson, who sang "For Tonight" by Giveon, and Haven Madison, who sang an original song called "Fifteen." As Elijah, Cam, Kaylin, and Tyson continue on their American Idol journeys, there's a lot to learn about these superb singers.

Related: 10 Best Moments From The American Idol Season 21 Premiere

1 Cam Amen - American Idol Platinum Ticket Recipient

Cam is a 27-year-old server originally from Indianapolis, Indiana, but he moved to Omaha, Nebraska with his girlfriend. During American Idol, Cam, whose given name is Cameron Osterloh, told the judges that he was in and out of foster care while he was growing up. He and his siblings were taken away from their mother. When Cam was 18, he left and took his brother and sister in to raise them and get them through high school, and did this for five years. At his audition, Cam sang a moving version of "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen.

Cam shares videos of himself singing both at home and at different venues on his TikTok and Instagram accounts. He has sung songs such as "River" by Bishop Briggs, and "Unchained Melody" by the Righteous Brothers. The American Idol contestant also shared a video of himself playing an original song on the piano. Cam's Instagram page also documents his American Idol journey.

2 Kaylin Hedges - American Idol Platinum Ticket Recipient

Kaylin is a 15-year-old-year-old high school student from Pound Ridge, New York. Her father is in the army and is stationed overseas. On American Idol, Kaylin revealed that her dad deployed with the military in order to help her get to New York. During her audition, she sang an emotional rendition of "I'm Already There," by Lonestar, which she dedicated to him. Kaylin's dad surprised her and her mom by coming to her audition.

According to Kaylin Hedges official website, she's a triple threat artist, who also writes her own original songs and musicals. She's best known for her BroadwayWorld Award-winning performance as Annie in the Hollywood Bowl's production of the show. Kailyn also received rave reviews for her role as Haley Westerbrook in the new musical Loch Ness, which is Broadway-bound.

Kaylin's interests include hanging out with her friends, playing board games with her family, or binge-watching shows on Netflix such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Gilmore Girls, or anime. Her website states, "Most importantly, Kayla is a normal teenage girl with big dreams who is unapologetically herself. She is not afraid to pull out her raptor walk or talk hours about her love of how cute sharks are." Kaylin's Instagram and TikTok accounts include videos of her singing popular music, songs from Broadway shows, and original music.

3 Tyson Venegas - American Idol Platinum Ticket Recipient

Tyson, a 17-year-old from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, always loved music. At his audition, Tyson told the American Idol judges that he had speech delay when he was younger, and he used music to help him. Tyson's mother shared that the only way he could be himself was when he was on stage. For his audition song, Tyson sang a stunning rendition of "New York State of Mind" by Billy Joel, while playing the piano.

Tyson is no stranger to singing competitions. According to The Philippine Star, when he was seven, he became the youngest winner of the Canadian talent competition PNE Star Showdown. In 2020, Tyson appeared on The Voice Teens Philippines on Team Apl.de.ap. During his blind audition, all three judges, Lea Salonga, Sarah Geronimo, and Apl.de.ap pressed their buttons before Tyson was finished with the first line of his song, "A Change Is Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke. However, he left the competition before the Knockouts round for reasons that weren't disclosed on the show.

On his TikTok and Instagram accounts, Tyson announced that his self-titled album is now available on all platforms. Tyson's new album includes original songs. He also shares himself singing cover songs on his social media accounts, as well as photographs and videos from his American Idol experience.

4 Elijah McCormick - American Idol Platinum Ticket Recipient

American Idol season 21's America's Platinum Ticket winner Elijah is a 21-year-old ophthalmologist technician from Raeford, North Carolina. On American Idol, Elijah revealed that on his high school graduation day in 2019, he was seriously injured in a car accident. He had to learn to walk, talk, and sing again. Elijah flatlined nine times throughout the ordeal, and had ten surgeries, leaving him in the hospital for 79 days. When Elijah could talk again, the first thing he asked his mother was if he could still sing.

Elijah's TikTok and Instagram accounts have many videos of him singing songs, including "Ordinary People" by John Legend and "Lost One" by Jazmine Sullivan. Elijah also documents his American Idol journey on his social media accounts. He includes photographs and videos of himself and his fellow contestants, whom he considers his friends.

The American Idol season 21 platinum ticket holders are extraordinarily talented singers who are sure to make it very far in the competition. They proved to the American Idol judges early on that they are in a class of their own. Once again, Lionel, Katy, and Luke made fantastic choices for their platinum ticket recipients. Elijah has already won America's heart by winning the first public vote of the season. It will be thrilling to see how far Cam, Kaylin, Tyson, and Elijah make it, and if one of them becomes the next American Idol.

American Idol airs Sundays and Mondays at 8 p.m. EDT on ABC.

Sources: Cam Amen/TikTok, Cam Amen/Instagram, Kaitlyn Hedges, Kaylin Hedges/Instagram, The Phillippine Star/John Patrick Magno Ranara, Tyson Venegas/Instagram, Elijah McCormick/Instagram