- - Mor Ilderton Delivers Emotional Audition for “American Idol” After Dropping Out of Season 26 of “The Voice”

Daniela AvilaFebruary 18, 2026 at 12:20 AM

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Mor Ilderton, who unexpectedly dropped out of The Voice on season 26, auditioned for American Idol

During his audition, Ilderton revealed a new piece of his backstory

Ilderton got a "yes" from all three judges and will be moving on to Hollywood Week

Mor Ilderton is giving a singing competition show another try.

During the Monday, Feb. 16 episode of American Idol, Ilderton — who unexpectedly dropped out of season 26 of The Voice — auditioned for judges Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie.

"I was raised by my grandma. I've had a great childhood and the fact that I'm here right now is freaking awesome," he said, before adding, "since I was 2 years old I was put under full custody with my grandma and I grew up calling her Mom."

He added of his grandma, "She is an amazing woman. I mean, I was a mischievous kid. I put her through so much. Whoever I am reaches back to her always."

Mor Ilderton on 'American Idol'

Disney/Eric McCandless

Then, his grandmother Sandy — who flew in to surprise him during the audition — said Ilderton was "very talented" and she wanted "to be there for him."

When asked what he would sing for his audition, Ilderton, 22, said it was a "meaningful song" that he wrote called "Strong."

"I lost my biological mom when I was 2 years old," he said. "My dad ended my mom's life. It's about seeing my mom's picture for the first time and not knowing her and kind of looking at a stranger and pouring out my emotions of that through this song."

Though he stumbled when he first started, his performance moved the judges and they gave him a standing ovation.

"Very cool that you took that time and pulled that together," Richie, 76, said, later adding, "as unnerved as you may feel, I love your delivery, I love the timbre of your voice — and more importantly, that writing was very cool."

Underwood, 42, added, "I feel like you went somewhere else when you were singing. It's like we weren't here. In a good way."

The "Play It Again" singer, 49, told the contestant that he has all the "tools" — including looks, style, hair, heart and voice. He also said he's got the "support" and called his grandma out to surprise him.

Mor Ilderton and his grandma Sandy on 'American Idol'

Disney/Eric McCandless

In shock, Ilderton gave his grandma a big hug.

Then, with one thing left to cover, all three judges gave Ilderton a "yes" — meaning he was moving on to Hollywood Week.

This isn't Mor's first time on a singing competition show. In 2024, Ilderton appeared on season 26 of The Voice. However, before the Knockouts, his coach Gwen Stefani revealed he "had to go home" and did not provide a reason for his exit.

Though Ilderton did not address his exit from the show, he did begin promoting his solo music on social media shortly after.

American Idol airs on Mondays at 5 p.m. ET on ABC.

on People

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”