'American Idol' Contestant Turned Instagram Star Quigley Reveals Show Made Her Stop Singing for Years

Instagram influencerQuigleyis speaking out about her “humiliating” experience onAmerican Idol. Though the experience brought on a great deal of pain and stress, the social influencer noted on Wednesday that she learned valuable lessons from the setback that helped her develop into one of Instagram’s most well-known personalities. “There might have been mention of how I looked ‘pretty’ or ‘cute’ but it was clear they thought that I was not a good enough singer or performer to be on the show,” she wrote, referencing the judges’ frequent mention of her appearance in their critiques.

'American Idol' Contestant with Autism Wows Judges with His Vulnerability: 'You Are Enough'

Sam Finelli is ready to chase his dreams. “I kind of shy away from singing with people,” Finelli, a bakery cashier, told the judges. “I’ve done some karaoke around our town. That’s about it. I’m going to be honest with you all, I never thought I’d be here in a million years.” Sam Finelli.ABC/Eric McCandless “Sam has been diagnosed with autism,” his mom told the cameras. “He’s high-functioning but he has struggled.

'American Idol' Crowns a Champion! Laine Hardy Wins Season 17

Laine Hardy has wonAmerican Idol! During Sunday’s finale, the Louisiana native was crowned the winner for ABC’s 2nd season ofIdol. Hardy, who appeared on the 16th season ofAmerican Idol, wasn’t planning on auditioning for the show a second time. However, after accompanying a friend to her audition, judgesKaty Perry,Luke BryanandLionel Richieasked if Hardy would be willing to give it another try. “He got good,” Perry, 34, said during his unplanned audition.

'American Idol' Favorite Alex Miller Brings the Joy with Holiday Track 'That's What Christmas Is For'

Alex Miller.Photo: Courtesy Billy Jam Records Country traditionalistAlex Milleris a musical gem that can tell a darn good story. And one of theAmerican Idolsweetheart’s best ones is the one he tells of Christmas two years ago, when the Kentucky kid with the irresistible country twang wished and hoped to find a spanking new Gretsch guitar under the tree. “Christmas came around that year and I ain’t found no guitar-shaped objects under the tree,” Miller, 18, enthusiastically recalls to PEOPLE during a recent interview, mere weeks after snagging a record deal in Nashville.

'American Idol' Favorite Wade Cota Opens Up About His 140 Lb. Weight Loss — and What It Means for His Career

Wade Cota.Photo: David Majour It was 2019, and Wade Cota was at the top of his game. As a top-five finalist on season 17 ofAmerican Idol, it seemed as if everyone was talking about the kid with the soulful voice and the mighty stature. But then, Cota overheard something that rocked him to his core. “There was a podcast where someone was talking aboutAmerican Idolfrom the night before and about how incredible my performance was,” Cota, 30, recalls during a recent interview with PEOPLE.