'American Idol' contestant Wyatt Pike releases new song after exiting show for 'personal reasons'
The singer's new song 'Friday Nights' comes one week after he departed the show
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Wyatt Pike released a new song roughly one week after exiting "American Idol" for "personal reasons."
The 20-year-old singer was considered a front-runner ahead of the show naming its top 12 finalists for its 2021 season. The talented singer’s recent cover of the Kings of Leon song "Use Somebody" wowed the judges panel and America before he ultimately announced he would not continue.
On Monday, hours before "American Idol" aired, Pike took to social media to debut a new original song titled "Friday Nights."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"As promised, here's a video of my tune 'Friday Nights'! I had fun filming this for you yesterday, hope you enjoy! 'Friday Nights' is available on all streaming platforms!" he captioned the video on Instagram.
Fans of the singer responded positively to the fast-paced acoustic song with many noting that they wished he’d been able to continue on "American Idol" given the debut of yet another exciting performance.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Longtime host and producer, Ryan Seacrest, broke the news to audience members last Monday.
"Before we get to the results, I have to tell you that finalist Wyatt Pike will not be competing in the competition," he said. "He had to drop out — but we wish him the very best, OK?"
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Utah native released a statement on social media touching on his departure.
"I had to leave the @AmericanIdol competition for personal reasons but am so thankful I get to play music for the rest of my life," Pike wrote Wednesday on Instagram. "Fellow contestants — miss you all, good luck!"
'American Idol' contestant Wyatt Pike released a new song one week after departing the show. (ABC/Christopher Willard)
Following his stunning performance ahead of his departure from the show, judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie offered high praise for Pike.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Perry said Pike was "an authentic singer-writer. I think whatever happens — you’re it."
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Bryan told the young musician, "I remember one of the coolest things ever happened to me is the day I realized that I get to do music forever, under any circumstance. I’m telling you, Wyatt, you are going to be able to do music for the rest of your life."
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Richie said Pike was "something big" in the making.
Fox News’ Jessica Napoli contributed to this report.