Adam Sanders (born May 17th, 1993) was a contestant on Season 12 and Season 16 of American Idol.
Season 12 Audition[]
Adam auditioned in San Antonio. He sang "I'd Rather Go Blind" by Etta James. All four judges voted "yes", sending him to the next round.
Season 12 Hollywood Round[]
Though not shown performing, he was shown in the same Group of Ten as Dr. Calvin Peters. He was later shown in a group called "Oz" with Frankie Ford, Charles Allen and Papa Peachez singing "American Boy" by Estelle, ft. Kanye West. Every member of his group advanced except for Frankie. Although his final solo performance was not televised, he was shown advancing along with Devin Velez, Gurpreet Singh Sarin, Devan Jones and Cortez Shaw. He managed to survive to the Top 28 Guys. However, the judges told him he needed to have a sing-off with Josh Holiday in order to determine whether he would make the Top 20 Guys. He sang "Taking Chances" by Celine Dion. He was eliminated and did not make the Top 20 Guys, alongside David Leathers, Jr., Devan Jones, Marvin Calderon, Peter Garrett and Tony Foster, Jr.
Season 16 Audition[]
Adam auditioned in Savannah as his drag persona Ada Vox. He sang "House of the Rising Sun". All three judges voted "yes", sending him to the next round.
Season 16 Hollywood Round[]
Adam was shown in a montage of contestants who survived the Groups of Ten. He was also shown in a group with Kay Kay singing "Want to Want Me" by Jason DeRulo. Although his final Solo Round performance was not televised, he was placed in the same holding room as Jonny Brenns, Mara Justine, Thaddeus Johnson, Noah Davis, Ron Bultongez, Samothias and Laine Hardy. Everyone in their room advanced. During the Showcase Round, he sang "Creep" by Radiohead and at the Final Judgment, it was revealed that he did enough to make the Top 24.
Top 24[]
Adam was shown in Group 2. He sang "Feeling Good" by Nina Simone and "Defying Gravity" by Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth in a duet with Lea Michele. The judges deemed him good enough to become a Top 14 finalist.
Top 14[]
Adam sang "The Show Must Go On" by Queen during the Live Show and "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" by Jennifer Holliday during the Results Show. Although he did not make the Top 6 in voting, the judges selected him to become a Top 10 finalist.
Top 10[]
Adam sang "Circle of Life" by Elton John from The Lion King. He was eliminated at this stage of the competition.
Trivia[]
- Adam was the final televised contestant on Season 16.
- Adam sang all his performances in Season 16 in character as his drag persona Ada Vox. It was the third time a drag persona participated on American Idol since Amnesia Sparkles and JDA and the first time one advanced to the Semifinals and the Finals.
- Adam auditioned for the eighteenth season of America's Got Talent, again as his drag persona Ada Vox, but his audition was never televised.