‘American Idol’ Finalist Caleb Kennedy Exits Show Amid Video Controversy

Caleb Kennedy, a 16-year-old contestant on “American Idol,” has dropped out of the show after a controversial video surfaced of him. He was with someone wearing a white hood that resembled Ku Klux Klan garb.

Caleb Kennedy’s Video

The video seen below is allegedly not the original version made by Caleb and his friends. It’s the one that’s making the rounds though.

The Herald-Journal saw the original version of the video which did not have music or words in it. 

Kennedy Drops Out Of ‘American Idol’

“Hey y’all this is gonna be a bit of a surprise, but I am no longer going to be on ‘American Idol,'” Kennedy said as he announced his exit. “There was a video that surfaced on the internet and it displayed actions that were not meant to be taken in that way. I was younger and did not think about the actions, but that’s not an excuse.”

“I wanna say I’m sorry to all my fans and everyone who I have let down,” he continued. “I’ll be taking a little time off social media to better myself, but saying that, I know this has hurt and disappointed a lot of people and made people lose respect for me. I’m so sorry! I pray that I can one day regain your trust in who I am and have your respect! Thank you for supporting me.”

Related: Billy Crystal Rips Cancel Culture: Comedy Is ‘Becoming A Minefield’

Kennedy had made it all the way to the top five of “American Idol,” meaning that there are now four contestants remaining.

Kennedy’s Mother Speaks Out

The teenager’s mother Anita Guy told the Herald-Journal that the video “was taken after Caleb had watched the movie The Strangers: Prey at Night and they were imitating those characters. He loves everyone and has friends of all races.” She also said he was 12 years old when he made the video.

“It had nothing to do with the Ku Klux Klan, but I know that’s how it looks,” she added. “Caleb doesn’t have a racist bone in his body.”

Kennedy sings country music and who earned the respect of judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan for both his vocal and songwriting abilities.

“The most promising thing about you, Caleb, is you sound like you,” judge Luke Bryan said after Kennedy performed with Jason Aldean.

He garnered fans for performing original compositions like “Nowhere,” which earned him a golden ticket to Hollywood.

“You better finish that song ‘Nowhere,’ because that song is going to take you somewhere,” Perry said after his audition. 

Related: Comedian Dave Chappelle Stands Up In Defense of The First (and Second) Amendment

Cancel Culture Has Gone Too Far

The video was reportedly made when he was 12, but that didn’t stop it from ruining Kennedy’s life today.

His presence seems to have been wiped from all “American Idol” social media.

It’s both unfortunate and terrifying that cancel culture has gone so far that an underage teenager can have his “American Idol” dreams ripped away simply for being in a video in which he is next to someone in an outfit that resembles the Ku Klux Klan’s garb.