Charlotte native Blake Proehl auditions on American Idol: Did he make it to Hollywood?

"American Idol" returned for season 22, featuring Charlotte native and former NFL player Blake Proehl, who wowed judges and earned a ticket to Hollywood.

Charlotte native and former NFL player Blake Proehl made a splash on the 22nd season premiere of "American Idol" as he auditioned for a chance to go to Hollywood. Proehl, a former standout at Providence High School, played wide receiver at East Carolina University before signing with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent. His family has deep ties to football, with his father, Ricky, and brother, Austin, also having played in the NFL.

However, a career-threatening ACL injury led Proehl to shift his focus to music. During his audition, he credited his grandmother for helping him find his voice, stating that music saved him during a difficult time. Proehl performed an emotional ballad by country artist Brett Young, playing the piano while sitting next to his grandmother. The judges, Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie, were all impressed by his performance, with Perry even expressing her goosebumps.

All three judges gave Proehl glowing reviews, praising his natural talent and genuine delivery. They unanimously agreed to send him to Hollywood, with Perry predicting that he could be a top 10 contender in the competition. Proehl was visibly moved by the experience, vowing to frame the ticket and place it in his grandmother's house as a tribute to her support.

The judges' enthusiasm for Proehl's audition was evident as they discussed his potential after he left the room. The episode ended with a teaser for the next episode, leaving viewers eager to see more of Proehl's journey on "American Idol."

The next episode of "American Idol" is set to air on ABC, and fans are undoubtedly looking forward to seeing more of Proehl's musical talents as the competition progresses.

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