Former American Idol contestant Kenedi Anderson is already making moves in her career, apparently, following her unexpected exit from the reality singing competition's 20th season.

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Kenedi, a 17-year-old singer whom American Idol's judges dubbed the next potential "superstar," confirmed earlier this week on Instagram that she left the show "for personal reasons."

Kenedi, however, was still featured on Monday night's American Idol episode in which half the Top 24 contestants performed in Hawaii, and then on Wednesday, she released a little snippet of an original song she has in the works.

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"Here is the chorus of a song I wrote not too long ago," Kenedi said in a Wednesday video that has since been deleted on TikTok, according to the Daily Mail.

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The song's lyrics reportedly include, "I need to find, need to find something better than what I had, and with no strings attached."

"Don't I deserve that?" she sang in her powerhouse voice. "Something with no strings attached."

Kenedi has yet to reveal the true meaning behind her new song, but she teased the track on social media just a couple of days after Ryan Seacrest first announced she will no longer be participating on American Idol 20.

During Monday night's Idol broadcast, producers decided to air Kenedi's gripping rendition of "Human" by Christina Perri since the solos had been pre-taped at Disney's Aulani Resort in Hawaii.

"You might have noticed that there was no voting information during Kenedi's performance just now," Ryan explained in a special announcement following her stunning performance.


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"Since we taped these shows in Hawaii earlier, Kenedi has decided to withdraw from our show for personal reasons. We send her well wishes. We have incredible talent on this historic season."

Kenedi subsequently wrote to her followers on Instagram how removing herself from the competition was "one of the hardest decisions" she's "ever had to make."

"But I know it's necessary," Kenedi said after citing "personal reasons" for her premature departure.

"I'm so grateful to American Idol, the judges, the producers, the amazing contestants, and all the fans who have supported me," she continued in her Instagram statement.

"Thank you for giving me such an amazing opportunity to share my voice, chase my dreams, feel so much joy and happiness doing what I love, and make lifelong friends along the way," Kenedi concluded.

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American Idol's production company Fremantle Media also told People that producers are sad to see such a talent like Kenedi go.

"We are disappointed to see Kenedi leave, but we are excited to watch this celebratory 20th season unfold with the incredible talent vying to be the next American Idol," the company said in a statement.

Kenedi first shocked Idol judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan with her powerful and soulful voice during the initial round of auditions, when she played the piano and sang "Applause" by Lady Gaga.

Katy, Lionel and Luke gave the blonde beauty a standing ovation and gushed about her potential in the music industry.


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"I mean, my head is spinning... We've definitely got us a superstar on our hands!" Luke, 45, said after Kenedi's audition.

And Katy, 37, exclaimed how she felt "threatened" by the young vocalist, adding, "I'd like to be your manager and your producer! I don't know how you haven't been recruited. You check every box... Get ready to become your own hero."

And Lionel, 72, said the teenager had "answered" the judges' "prayers," saying she could very well be the next "thing" in the music business.

Katy appeared to suggest Kenedi could become the next Kelly Clarkson -- who won American Idol's first season and went on to have an incredibly successful career -- during a recent interview with People.

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"I was listening to everyone's sound check, and everybody sounded good," Katy shared in Hawaii.

"But there were a few where I was like, 'Oh my God.' There's one in particular I have my eye on. I think that she is probably the biggest star that American Idol has ever found!"

American Idol currently airs on Sunday and Monday nights at 8PM ET/PT on ABC.

American Idol will reveal its Top 20 contestants for Season 20 on Sunday, April 17.

The show's Top 14 singers will then be unveiled on Monday, April 18, with home viewers picking 10 of the contestants and the judges choosing four more hopefuls to advance in the competition.














About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.