Abner Juda Gil (born July 5, 1984), known professionally as A.J. Gil, was a contestant on Season 1 of American Idol.
Audition[]
A.J. auditioned in Seattle. He sang the American National Anthem, also known as "The Star-Spangled Banner". Randy and Paula stood up and clapped. It is not known precisely how the judges voted, but at least two of them voted "yes", sending him through to the next round.
Hollywood Round[]
A.J. was shown in a group during the second part of Hollywood Week, in which he is captured visibly forgetting his lyrics. Despite this, he advanced onward. Later on, he managed to progress into the Top 30.
Top 30[]
A.J. was in Group 2, and sang "All or Nothing" by O-Town. He received enough votes that week to make the Top 10.
Top 10[]
For Motown night, A.J. sang "My Cherie Amour" by Stevie Wonder. He received enough votes to be considered "safe" for that week.
Top 8[]
For 1960s night, A.J. sang "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" by Marvin Gaye. He landed in the Bottom 3, alongside Christina Christian and Ryan Starr. However, he received the lowest amount of votes, and thus was eliminated at this stage of the competition.
After the Show[]
A.J. struggled with homelessness after being swindled by a crooked manager, relying upon friends and siblings to persevere. Meanwhile, he worked on mixtapes and participated in charity functions related to American Idol.
Initially leaning R&B, A.J. later shifted his focus to a fusion with Christian music.
Trivia[]
- Much like Jim Verraros before him, Simon Cowell criticized A.J. for being a weaker vocalist. After A.J. followed Jim via the pattern of an alleged "sympathy vote into the Top 10" spurred on by backlash from Cowell's harsh critiques, this prompted Cowell to go on a rant during R.J. Helton's critique on the Group 3 episode in an effort to prevent a recurrence.
Quick Links[]
| Season 1 |
| Finalists |
| ·Kelly Clarkson ·Justin Guarini ·Nikki McKibbin ·Tamyra Gray ·R.J. Helton ·Christina Christian ·Ryan Starr ·A.J. Gil ·Jim Verraros ·EJay Day |
| Semifinalists |
| ·Christopher Aaron ·Kelli Glover ·Alexis Lopez ·Angela Peel — ·Alexandra Bachelier ·Chris Badano ·Natalie Burge ·Khaleef Chiles ·Rodesia Eaves ·Brad Estrin ·Adriel Herrera ·Kristin Holt ·Jamar ·Jazmin Lowery ·Tanesha Ross ·Melanie Sanders ·Mark Scott ·Gil Sinuet ·Tenia Taylor ·Justinn Waddell – ·Delano Cagnolatti |