As Aaron Kelly soared on "American Idol," a feel-good story was forming.
This is a case of adoption-gone-right, of people stepping in to help family. Kelly was ousted Wednesday (see previous blogs), finishing fifth; here's the story I sent today to papers:
By MIKE HUGHES
Fresh from “American Idol,” Aaron
Kelly could offer an endorsement for adoption.
“My mom has been very supportive,”
he told reporters today, after finishing fifth on the show. “She's
given up so much, to make sure we had everything.”
That's his adoptive mom, formerly his
aunt. When there were problems at home, his aunt and uncle stepped
in; they adopted Kelly (then 5) and his older brother.
That let them stay together and let
them still see their birth parents. It also, apparently, gave them
stability at home. “I've had a good life,” said Kelly, 17.
Born in Florida, he moved to Nashville
and then to Sonestown, Pa. The singing started when he was 9, he
said, “but it wasn't anything serious.”
It did get serious soon and he started
writing songs; original songs will be a strength in the future, he
said. “We're not allowed to do them on the show.”
Then came a turning point: At the
“American Idol Experience” unit of Disney World, audiences voted
Kelly the best of the day. That gave him a “gold ticket,” moving
him to the top of the real “Idol” auditions. “That helped a
lot,” he said.
He kept advancing – while still
having to spend three hours a day on schooling. Some people see that
as a big disadvantage, but he viewed it as a welcome distraction.
Others “had to worry about so many things. I (just) had to worry
about astronomy.”
Judges were kind; so was Harry Connick
Jr., a mentor. “He said I have a great voice and said 'it's almost
angelic.'”
Many of them, however, did urge him to
do show more confidence and charisma. This week – focusing on
Sinatra songs – they said he had the notes without the swagger.
During Wednesday's Sinatra medley,
Kelly soloed on the line: “When I was 17, it was a very good year.”
Soon, he learned he was last in viewer votes and was off the show. At
that point, he had been 17 for 33 days; all in all, this could turn
out to be his very good year.