Freddie McClendon, a 19-year-old singer-songwriter from Greenwood, South Carolina, turned his American Idol audition into a moment of raw emotion and undeniable talent on Sunday, March 23, 2025. Airing at 8 p.m. on ABC during Season 23’s third episode, the Belmont University student’s performance of his original song “You Never Loved Him” left judges Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Carrie Underwood—and viewers nationwide—reaching for tissues. With a golden ticket to Hollywood now in hand, Freddie’s journey is just beginning, but it’s already one of the standout stories of 2025’s Idol season.
The Audition That Moved Millions
Freddie stepped onto the Idol stage in Nashville last night, guitar in tow, with a story that hit hard. “One of my favorite memories—I was 15, and my dad took me to Nashville for the first time,” he told host Ryan Seacrest before singing, per GoldDerby. “Seeing Music City and Broadway—he said, ‘Freddie, that’s gonna be you one day.’ It’s happening today!” The Greenwood High grad, now studying songwriting, didn’t just come to chase a dream—he came to honor his late father, Kenneth Davis McClendon, who was killed in 2023.
His original, “You Never Loved Him,” poured out that bond. “I’ve been writing music since I was a freshman in high school, but I really got serious about a year ago after my dad passed,” Freddie told the judges, per Index-Journal. The lyrics—a soulful tribute to his father’s life—struck a chord. Carrie Underwood fought back tears, Luke Bryan called him a “modern-day Paul Simon,” and Lionel Richie urged him to bring his family in, per MassLive. “That’s soul,” Richie said as the room felt the weight of Freddie’s vulnerability. Three yeses later, he was Hollywood-bound, shouting, “Dad, we’re going to Hollywood!”
A Hometown Hero’s Big Night
Greenwood rallied behind Freddie for the big reveal. A watch party at Sports Break on Crosscreek Connector ran from 7-10 p.m., packed with locals cheering as his audition aired, per Index-Journal. “It’s absolutely amazing,” Freddie told the outlet pre-show. “The Idol family is fantastic—it’s a dream come true to perform for Carrie, Luke, and Lionel and meet Ryan Seacrest.” He admitted he hadn’t seen the final edit: “It’ll be a surprise to me too—I’m excited to react with millions watching.”
Posts on X echoed the buzz. @AmericanIdol shared, “Freddie McClendon’s emotional tribute to his late father moves us all,” with a link to the performance clip. @LukeBryan posted, “Thank you Freddie for being brave enough to share your family’s story—that big smile and nice family are heading to Hollywood.” @TweetThisBabe raved, “A touching song… 3 yes’s and Freddie’s going to #Hollywood!” The sentiment online was clear: Freddie’s not just a contestant—he’s a heart-stealer.
Freddie’s Idol path started small. He spotted a Facebook ad last summer, submitted an online form with a video of Elvis Presley’s “Trouble,” and got the nod to meet producers in Nashville this fall, per Index-Journal. Now a sophomore at Belmont, he’s turned personal loss into art. His album Present Memories, written after his father’s death, reframes the narrative. “After my dad passed, I had a lot of frustration—all people talked about was his death,” he told Court TV. “I wrote this to tell the story of his life.” Last night’s song was a taste of that mission.
The audition wasn’t just technical chops—though his voice and guitar work shone—it was pure feeling. “When you perform for a big crowd, you read the room,” Freddie said. “But with three music icons staring you down, you’re all vulnerable. It’s surreal.” Underwood, a new judge this season after winning in 2005, connected deeply. “I’m so proud I could tell my dad’s story, and it meant the world that it resonated with Carrie,” Freddie said post-audition, per MassLive.
What’s Next for Freddie?
With Hollywood Week looming—typically filmed in late 2024 and airing in April—Freddie’s got momentum. He’s re-releasing “You Never Loved Him” as a single on April 4 and gigging with his band, The Whereabouts, at Howard’s on Main in Greenwood on April 12, per HereGreenwood. “It’s a cool opportunity,” he told Index-Journal, and last night proved he’s got the goods to back it up.
Season 23, which premiered March 9 after an Oscars preview on March 2, is already a rollercoaster of talent. Freddie’s moment, though, stands out—a kid from South Carolina turning pain into purpose. Catch the episode on Hulu if you missed it, and watch this space: Freddie McClendon’s American Idol story is just getting started.