Many American Idol fans were upset that season 18 runner-up Arthur Gunn landed a coveted spot in the Top 7 of season 19. The announcement was made by Ryan Seacrest on the recent "Disney Night" episode, which saw the season 18 contestant advance to the next round over three fan-favorite contestants from season 19. Following the show, some fans instantly took to social media, where they described Arthur's return as unfair to the current group.
The Wichita, Kansas resident vied for the country's votes two weeks ago, when a few season 18 finalists competed to return and round out the Top 10 of season 19. This plot twist occurred because they didn't get the full Idol experience in 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the contestants were forced to film their performances from their childhood bedrooms, garages, and porches. They never got to sing on the big stage with a live band, for instance. Arthur, who lost to Just Sam, won this particular vote and joined the Top 10 for "Disney Night." His rendition of "Remember Me" from the Pixar animated film Coco then earned him a Top 7 spot over eliminated contestants Alyssa Wray, Deshawn Goncalves, and Cassandra Coleman.
On the heels of the Top 7 reveal, several American Idol fans headed to social media to voice their displeasure. A number of viewers were in agreement that even though Arthur didn't get to perform on the Idol stage last year, he still enjoyed the massive platform that comes with appearing on the series. They felt that he already had somewhat of an established fanbase, which is something that singers like Alyssa, Deshawn, and Cassandra were still in the process of building. Others slammed his version of "Remember Me," calling it "emotionless" and "melody-free." See some of the tweets below.
It's clear that many American Idol fans feel very passionate about this year's fresh crop of contestants. A frontrunner from his audition has been 21-year-old Willie Spence, who wowed the audience during the "Disney Night" episode with a powerful performance of "Circle of Life" from The Lion King. Despite being compared to vocal giant Luther Vandross, the Georgia singer has managed to remain humble. Another strong vocalist is 20-year-old Grace Kinstler, who flawlessly crushes every song thrown her way.
While Arthur certainly boasts talent, many have compared his stylings to previous American Idol winner Phillip Phillips, who has gone on to have a thriving music career. From his vocal stylings to his mannerisms on stage, there are many similarities that could help or hinder Arthur's success in the competition. Regardless, his followers united to give Arthur a second chance through their votes. They'll surely fight to ensure it's not wasted. Now, the question is, can the ever-growing fanbase of Willie, Grace, and the other season 19 contestants fight harder?