Wilmington teen’s ‘American Idol’ journey ends… for now

March 27, 2018

WWAY News,

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Everyone knows it’s tough living with a secret. But Joshua Ward, a Wilmington teen who made the first cut on ABC’s “American Idol,” kept quiet the fact that he not only got a golden ticket and made it to Hollywood Week, but that the week in California ended in disappointment.

Ward, 16, was one of 169 contestants picked by judges from thousands of hopefuls at auditions across the country last summer and fall to advance on the reality show.

The Ashley High School sophomore was featured briefly on last night’s episode of “American Idol.” His clips showed a range of emotions beginning with the thrill of being in Hollywood.

“This is gonna be the most amazing week of my life. This is so exciting!” a smiling Ward told the camera. “This is it. This is the dream, and it’s coming true now.”

But moments later, after a brief shot of Ward, who a graphic mistakenly said was from “Williamton, NC,” on stage in front of judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, Ward was part of a montage of heartbroken contestants who learned they were going home and would not advance.

“I’m a little disappointed right now. This meant so much to me,” Ward said.

But through tears, he showed poise and determination.

“I’m not gonna give up at all,” he said. “I’m gonna be back next year. I promise.”

Ward was likewise positive in a couple of Tweets last night, including a reply to American Idol’s account, which tweeted the show’s support for him and a couple other contestants, and another in which he leaned on his faith.

Thank you @AmericanIdol for the experience of a lifetime. I can’t wait for what the future holds and to hopefully come back next year. ❤ https://t.co/sG7Sp97K5O

— Joshua Ward (@joshuapaulward) March 27, 2018

God has a plan. He will be made much of through this experience… I promise I will be back ❤ pic.twitter.com/j86viKSdfO

— Joshua Ward (@joshuapaulward) March 27, 2018

Ward had been featured in “American Idol” promos over the last couple of months, but wasn’t allowed to say publicly that he’d made it to Hollywood Week until this weekend.

In an interview with WWAY before last night’s episode aired, Ward said making the cut was a big accomplishment for someone who grew up watching the show, which is in its first season on ABC after a 14-year run on Fox that ended in 2016.

“Obviously I would love to win,” Ward said. “That would be amazing. But I really do want to do this for the rest of my life. This is my dream. This is my passion.”

Ward will take his passion to the Azalea Festival Parade in downtown Wilmington on Saturday, April 14. He is scheduled to sing the National Anthem.

“American Idol” airs Sundays and Mondays at 8 p.m. on WWAY ABC.