Jairon Jackson (October 20, 1991—October 29, 2022)[1] was a contestant on Season 11 of American Idol.
Audition[]
Jairon auditioned in Aspen. He sang an original song called "So Hard". All three judges voted "yes", sending him to the next round.
Hollywood Round[]
Jairon was shown in the second part of Hollywood Week, in a group called "M.I.T." (or Most International Team) with Heejun Han, Richie Law, and Phillip Phillips singing "Broken Strings" by James Morrison and Nelly Furtado. Despite a rocky performance, everyone in their group advanced. Later on, he was in a deliberation room that received good news and managed to make the final seventy.
Las Vegas Round[]
Jairon was shown in a group with Heejun Han, Neco Starr, and Phillip Phillips singing "I Only Have Eyes for You" by The Flamingos. Everyone in his group advanced.
However, after all the groups performed, the judges deliberated and controversially decided to reverse the advancements of several contestants. Jackson was one of these casualties, and was eliminated just short of the final solo round.
Death[]
Jackson and two of his half-siblings (Terrance King, 30; and Darren King, Jr., 28) were found dead of suspected drug overdoses.[2] Jackson died just nine days after his 31st birthday.