American Idol fans received an unexpected conundrum Monday night after host Ryan Seacrest confirmed that one of the current contestants had withdrawn from the competition — without revealing who.
ABC’s top 26 participants were unexpectedly reduced to 25 as a result of the departure, giving 16-year-old Paige Ann a chance to join Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan’s “first substitute.”
Paige, who was originally eliminated during the show’s Hollywood week after singing closely with Megan Danielle, later admitted she was shocked when she was suddenly called out.
“I said goodbye to the idol and everything,” said the confused teen. Then I got an invitation to come back. everything happens for a reason.’
Indeed, but who did you replace? The answer was quickly provided, and the mystery instantly solved, in an Instagram post made on Tuesday.
Revealed: Beckett McDowell is named after the mystery contestant who dropped out of the current series of American Idol — and has some very famous family members
Antiquity: He is the son of legendary British actor Malcolm MacDowell, best known for his role in Stanley Kubrick’s 1971 blockbuster A Clockwork Orange.
Infamy: McDowell as delinquent Alex DeLarge in Kubrick’s adaptation of author Anthony Burgess’s acclaimed novel, Miserable
Taking to the social media platform, 19-year-old Beckett McDowell confirmed that he is the aspiring singer who performed on the show, but pulled out before his performances could be broadcast.
Sharing an Instagram story with followers, he wrote: “To all of you wondering, yes I was on @americanidol and I made the Top 26.
“I won’t say why I didn’t decide to continue competing but what I will say is that it was my choice.”
He added, “I am forever grateful to my family @americanidol and will always look back on the experience with the utmost gratitude and fondness.”
So who is Beckett McDowell? Well, far from being a mysterious teen with a natural talent for singing, he’s a California native who has good connections with some very famous family members.
Located in Ojai, a picturesque town in Southern California’s Ventura County, Pickett is the son of legendary British actor Malcolm MacDowell, best known for his starring role in Stanley Kubrick’s hit 1971 film A Clockwork Orange.
Family: Beckett with father Malcolm and older brother Charlie, husband of Emily in Paris actress Lily Collins (LR: Charlie McDowell, Malcolm McDowell and Beckett McDowell)
CONNECTED: Brother Charlie MacDowell with wife Lily Collins, Beckett’s sister-in-law since 2021
Talented: Beckett seems to be an accomplished musician in his own right and often shares pictures and videos of him playing guitar on social media
CLOSING: The teen regularly shares photos of his long-term girlfriend Launa Fiorello-Taylor from her various appearances at festivals and parties across Southern California.
Hi: Little Beckett with his famous dad Malcolm in an undated social media photo
He is the third of five McDowell children from two marriages, including director Charlie McDowell, Beckett’s older brother and husband of Emily in Paris star Lily Collins.
With Lily officially established as the young singer’s sister-in-law after marrying Charlie in 2021, he also has a familial relationship with the famous actress’ father, Phil Collins.
While it is not known if Phil gave him any valuable advice, Pickett appears to be an accomplished musician in his own right and frequently shares photos and videos of himself playing guitar on social media.
He also appears to be active on music streaming platform Spotify, where a handful of his songs — among them Wildfire, Weirdo, and Pale Blue Eyes — are available for streaming.
Recent updates on social media from February indicate that he’s been busy shooting music videos and working in a professional-looking studio, all while he’s on American Idol.
I love you: Beckett shared a touching tribute to his girlfriend as they celebrated their first anniversary as a married couple in 2022
Busy: He also appears to be active on music streaming platform Spotify, where a handful of his songs — among them Wildfire, Weirdo and Pale Blue Eyes — are available to stream
AT SERIOUS WORK: Recent social media updates from February indicate that he has been busy shooting music videos
NEW TAKE: He also shared photos of himself working out in a professional-looking studio, all while he was on American Idol.
The teen also shares photos of his long-term girlfriend Launa Fiorello-Taylor from her various appearances at festivals and parties across Southern California.
Beckett has been dating the 19-year-old since 2021, and often makes his feelings for her known on his Instagram account, which has 5,238 followers.
In one such post, shared on their one-year anniversary as a married couple, he wrote, “A whole year?! I can’t believe it’s been a whole year with you, and it went by so fast.”
I love you Launa, you still inspire me everyday and I can’t wait for another million days with you. Happy Anniversary darling, I love you so much.
American Idol continues Sunday, April 23, on ABC.
