Aaron Wayne Kelly (born April 2, 1993) is an American singer who finished fifth on the ninth season of American Idol. Prior to Idol, Kelly was a finalist on America's Most Talented Kid at age 11.
Early life Kelly was born in Davenport, Florida. Because of the difficult circumstances between his biological parents, Kelly was legally adopted at the age of 5 by his aunt and uncle, moving to Nashville, Tennessee, and then Sonestown, Pennsylvania. He has sung professionally since the age of 9, performing at festivals and fairs and opening for such acts as Charlie Daniels, Loretta Lynn, Emerson Drive, Bill Anderson and The Marshall Tucker Band. At 11, he was a finalist on PAX-TV's America's Most Talented Kid.
Kelly once had a job selling soda on a beach near his home.
Kelly lists his hobbies as soccer and photography and his musical influences as Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood and Celine Dion.
American Idol Kelly was a participant in The American Idol Experience at Disney's Hollywood Studios at The Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. At the end of the day he was the highest vote recipient in the finale show, which entitled him to receive the dream ticket, which got him to the front of the line for the real American Idol auditions in Orlando in June 2009. Kelly is the third contestant from Pennsylvania, and was the youngest contestant to make it through to the Top 12 on American Idol until Thia Megia made the top 12 at 15.
On May 5, 2010, Kelly was eliminated from American Idol after landing in the bottom two with Michael Lynche. Kelly finished fifth place in the competition. On the season finale of American Idol on May 26, 2010, Kelly sang "How Deep Is Your Love" with Siobhan Magnus, who were then both joined by the Bee Gees.
Although he was close to everybody, he was especially good friends with Katie Stevens, Siobhan Magnus, Alex Lambert, Tim Urban, Andrew Garcia, and Lee DeWyze. He was also the youngest ever to reach the top 5.
Performances Week #ThemeSong choiceOriginal artistOrder #ResultAuditionN/A"The Climb"Miley CyrusN/AAdvancedHollywoodGroup Round"Get Ready"The TemptationsN/AAdvancedHollywoodSecond Solo"Angel"Sarah McLachlanN/AAdvancedTop 24 (12 Men)Billboard Hot 100 Hits"Here Comes Goodbye"Rascal Flatts2SafeTop 20 (10 Men)"My Girl"The Temptations8SafeTop 16 (8 Men)"I'm Already There"Lonestar6SafeTop 12The Rolling Stones"Angie"The Rolling Stones11SafeTop 11Billboard Number 1 Hits"I Don't Want to Miss a Thing"Aerosmith4SafeTop 10R&B/Soul"Ain't No Sunshine"Bill Withers10SafeTop 9Lennon–McCartney"The Long and Winding Road"The Beatles1Bottom 3 Top 9 Elvis Presley "Blue Suede Shoes" Carl Perkins 5 Safe Top 7 Inspirational "I Believe I Can Fly" R. Kelly 4 Bottom 3 Top 6 Shania Twain "You've Got a Way" Shania Twain 5 Safe Top 5 Frank Sinatra "Fly Me to the Moon" Kaye Ballard 1 Eliminated
Post-Idol After being eliminated, Kelly appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. On May 10, 2010 he performed on Late Show with David Letterman, Access Hollywood, and May 11, 2010 on The Wendy Williams Show. Kelly says he plans to record a country album and started the American Idols Live! Tour 2010 on July 1, 2010. Kelly sang "Somebody Like You", "Walking in Memphis" and "Fast Cars and Freedom." He also sang in group performances of "The Climb" and "It's My Life".
Kelly was signed to Creative Artists Agency.
Discography
Singles Year Single 2010 "I Can't Wait for Christmas" 2012 "Coincidence" 2021 "The World Is Round"2023 "The Last Thing I Would Say" "Can't Make a Meant to Be"
Notes Kelly was saved first from elimination. Due to the judges using their one save to save Michael Lynche, the Top 9 remained intact for another week.
References
External links Aaron Kelly on Twitter Official Aaron Kelly Website Aaron Kelly at American Idol