‘Too Broadway.’ Georgia singer Betty Maxwell laments not advancing on ‘American Idol’
Singer Betty Maxwell ended her run on “American Idol” after she failed to snag a spot in the competition’s Top 24.
The Georgia native and former Miss America said she’s “incredibly thankful for the journey” after judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie chose not to send her through to the next round.
“This entire experience has been life changing for me,” she wrote on Facebook after the series’ latest episode, which aired Monday, April 4. “I made amazing friends, I pushed myself in ways (when I was sick and exhausted) that I didn’t know I could and sang my heart out… but most importantly I got to show the judges and the world, my heart.”
“I love you all and I can’t thank you enough for always loving and supporting me,” Maxwell wrote.
Lamenting her loss, the former Miss Georgia winner said she was told that her voice “sounded too Broadway” and wasn’t quite what the judges were looking for at this stage of the competition. Maxwell is trained in classical opera, according to her Miss America profile, and has mentioned her dreams of one day voicing a Disney princess.
She first auditioned during the “Idol” stop in Nashville, where she blew the judges away with her rendition of Kelly Clarkson’s “A Moment Like This,” McClatchy News previously reported. She also showcased her country roots with a cover of Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus Take the Wheel.”
Maxwell went on to advance to Hollywood Week, where she survived the duets and showstopper rounds.
Looking to the future, the former pageant queen said she hopes her time on the show caught the attention “of someone who is looking for a voice like mine… @disney.”
“American Idol” airs Sundays and Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
This story was originally published April 5, 2022 at 10:18 AM.