\n<\/p>\n
Not for everyone? After winning over the judges \u2014 and viewers at home \u2014 Kenedi Anderson<\/strong><\/a>, Wyatt Pike<\/strong><\/a> and more contestants have dropped out of American Idol<\/em> <\/a>for various reasons over the years.<\/p>\n The first notable musician to leave the competition series on her own early was Marlea Stroman<\/strong>, who appeared on season 4 of American Idol in 2005. Her second round departure was due to her son\u2019s health.<\/p>\n \u201cIt wasn\u2019t that big [of a cold], but I wasn\u2019t there, and when babies are sick, they need their mommies,\u201d Marlea told The Post-Standard<\/em> at the time of her then-12-month-old son.<\/p>\n More recently, standout Kenedi Anderson, who judge Luke Bryan<\/strong><\/a> dubbed \u201cthe biggest star we\u2019ve ever seen\u201d during a March 2022 episode, removed herself from the show early.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cFor personal reasons, I\u2019m unable to continue on American<\/em> Idol<\/em>. This has been one of the hardest decisions I\u2019ve ever had to make, but I know it\u2019s necessary,\u201d she wrote in a statement in April 2022. \u201dI\u2019m so grateful to American Idol,<\/em> the judges, the producers, the amazing contestants, and all the fans who have supported me.\u201d<\/p>\n The high school senior added: \u201cThank you for giving me such an amazing opportunity to share my voice, chase my dreams, feel so much joy and happiness doing what I love, and make lifelong friends along the way.\u201d<\/p>\n A source close to production subsequently told Us Weekly<\/em> that the series was \u201cdisappointed to see Kenedi leave.\u201d Bryan, who judged season 20 with Katy Perry<\/strong> <\/a>and Lionel Richie<\/strong><\/a>, told USA Today<\/em> that the trio was \u201cheartbroken\u201d by Anderson\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n \u201cThese kids, they got a lot coming at \u2019em. I think, potentially for her career, her being a part of our family is as good as the route or the way to the top can be,\u201d he told the newspaper\u00a0at the time. \u201cBut, if you\u2019re having doubts and anxieties and other things \u2026 we\u2019re heartbroken as a show because she was so dynamic and great.\u201d<\/p>\n Perry added that Anderson \u201cwas a great one,\u201d but noted her early exit will give other contestants a chance to shine.<\/p>\n \u201cI do think that we have such incredible other voices that have now even stepped forward a little bit more,\u201d the \u201cRoar\u201d songstress told the outlet. \u201cIt\u2019s just really another opportunity for one of these incredible contestants, and we wish nothing but the best for her. \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n