Just 14 competitors remain on the American Idol Season 16 cast and while there’s no denying they’re all talented, there’s one contestant standing above the rest.
That contestant is 18-year-old Jurnee Siani, who first won the judges over with her rendition of Andra Day’s Rise Up.
The small-town teen continues to impress the judges and those viewing from home and is now considered a contender for the top spot in the American Idol Season 16 finale.
Jurnee Siani, an 18-year-old from Littleton, Colorado, is thought to have a shot at winning American Idol Season 16
Here’s what you nee to know about Jurnee Siani.
Who is Jurnee Siani?
Jurnee Siani is an 18-year-old American Idol contestant from Littleton, Colorado. She’s happily married to a woman called Ashley Weathers, who is a military veteran.
The pair met at a party, Jurnee revealed on American Idol.
‘We always say we started dating the first day we met,’ she shared.
After a while, Ashley got down on one knee and popped the question. Jurnee revealed the romantic way her then-girlfriend proposed during an early episode of the competition series.
‘She proposed to me on this big, pretty waterfall and we ended up getting married. My wife is a soldier in the Army and she’s actually set to deploy soon. I’m so proud of her because there’s a lot of people that wouldn’t be able to go out there. I know I wouldn’t be able to go out there and do that.’
Jurnee has been open about her sexuality on and off the show.
During her American Idol audition, she opened up about her early struggles with her sexual orientation, saying: ‘At the time I would be dating guys just to test and make sure I wasn’t missing out on anything.
‘It wasn’t until my freshman year that I knew for sure that guys were not for me. They are not my cup of tea. So I came out to my family who was extremely accepting and it’s just been rainbows, pun intended, ever since.’
Before coming on the show, Jurnee was working as a hostess. Music has always been her passion, though.
When she was a junior in high school, Jurnee auditioned for American Idol for the first time. She sang If I Were a Boy by Beyonce and Ariana Grande’s Almost Is Never Enough.
She got a golden ticket, but didn’t win the competition.
Jurnee’s also been featured on a Westworld.com list of the best Denver, Colorado-area hip-hop acts.
In addition to her solo pursuits, Jurnee was a part of a wedding band called the Moses Jones Band.
Jurnee American Idol Top 14
Jurnee solidified her spot in the American Idol Season 16 top 14 on Monday. She took to the stage to perform a celebrity duet with Lea Michele. The pair sang the Glee actress’s song, Run to You.
The judges were floored by the performance.
‘The sky’s the limit,’ judge Lionel Richie told her.
Jurnee American Idol audition
Jurnee first began garnering buzz with her audition. When she stood before the judges for the first time, she sang her rendition of Andra Day’s Rise Up.
American Idol top 14
Jurnee Siani
Michael Woodard
Catie Turner
Michelle Sussett
Is incredible how a dream I’ve had for so long it finally became true. Thanks for putting your hands in this, God. pic.twitter.com/MVgjIrQhgq
— Michelle Sussett�� (@MichelleSussett) March 16, 2018
Ada Fox
Maddie Poppe
Dennis Lorenzo
Mara Justine
Garrett Jacobs
Caleb Hutchinson
Cade Foehner
Marcio Donaldson
Gabby Barrett
When are the American Idol live shows?
The American Idol live shows are due to begin on April 22, 2018. During that episode, the top 14 will be subject to the first viewer vote of the season.
American Idol Season 16 finale
The American Idol Season 16 finale will take place over two nights. The first part will air on May 20, 2018 at 8pm ET. The second will air May 21, 2018 at the same time.