Here today. Gone tomorrow. That’s the reality Salisbury native Jeremiah “Jay” Copeland is grappling with after he was voted off “American Idol” by viewers at home on Sunday.
In episode 18, which aired live, it appeared America didn’t love him as much as they did Nicolina, Leah Marlene, HunterGirl, Fritz Hager and Noah Thompson. Additionally, Thompson and Hager were the only two contestants who performed virtually, because they tested positive for COVID-19.
Copeland came into Sunday’s episode as one of the remaining seven contestants. He and Christian Guardino were eliminated, cutting the group down to five.
Copeland’s fans on Facebook were both heartbroken and encouraged.
“Jay Copeland You are Amazing! You are just beginning, can’t wait to see you do bigger things,” an optimistic supporter wrote.
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“W0W!! They know better than that SMH.. Ask anybody I use to be a True American Idol Fan. This is WRONG!! Jay by far was the BEST!!” a disappointed fan wrote.
“Jay you made it farther then most! This has brought you so much exposure! God has got something in store for you,” another fan said.
Katy Perry: Jay is ‘phenomenal’
Copeland sang two songs Sunday. He performed Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing” in round one, followed by Boyz II Men’s “A Song for Mama” as a tribute to his mom, Christina Ryder, for Mother’s Day in round two.
“Idol” judges had nothing bad to say about either of Copeland’s rounds, especially when he paid homage to his mom.
“We’re so proud of you, Jay. The growth for you has been phenomenal,” judge Katy Perry said after he delivered “A Song for Mama.” “I feel like you have found exactly who you are and you’re never going back.”
Fellow “Idol” judge Luke Bryan noticed during the Boyz II Men tune that Copeland added some new musical notes to his repertoire that weren’t there a few short weeks ago.
“You’re hitting everything perfectly right now,” Bryan raved.
His superstar peer Lionel Richie recognized Copeland’s talent has gradually evolved.
“You have finally stepped into your own. You’ve got your timing right. You’ve got your stage presence right,” Richie said.
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But the celebrity judge once again teased that Copeland stole another of his suit jackets. This time it was the flower-print jacket he wore for his “A Song for Mama” performance.
“More importantly man, if you go into my closet one more time,” Richie joked. “It bothers me.”
Before singing the Boyz II Men tune, Copeland had a picnic with his mom where he revealed to her his song choice.
“She’s a hard-working woman. She raised me single-handedly,” he said.
Jay meets Will.i.am
For Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing,” Copeland received advice from new show mentor Will.i.am.
While singing for the seven-time Grammy winner, Copeland had trouble hitting a high note in the tune. Will.i.am encouraged the Platinum Ticket holder to start high and then bring his voice low.
In other words, start in the stratosphere and then land on earth.
“Practice with the aliens up there at the top. (Then) come down to the mortals,” Will.i.am explained. Copeland was cracking up by the extraterrestrial advice, which led to him giving the Black Eyed Peas superstar a hug and telling him: “I love you so much.”
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But things started off a little rocky when he first met Wil.i.am, because the Salisbury University grad was wearing a sleeveless vest, showing off his toned arms, which has been a running joke this season.
“I’m not doing too good, now that I saw you .You’re telling me that I should stop eating cookies,” Will.i.am said after meeting Copeland.
“You can eat cookies,” Copeland said with a laugh.
“Not if I want to walk around with no sleeves on, showing muscles,” Will.i.am fired back.
But he ended up giving Copeland his props by telling him: “You have an awesome voice.”
Idol judge Perry expressed the same sentiment as Will.i.am, after Copeland injected his advice into the Whitney Houston tune.
“You were doing it,” Perry said. “You did justice to a Whitney Houston song.”
Richie to Jay: ‘You are a star’
But Copeland staying on the show wasn’t up to the “Idol” judges on Sunday. It was up to America.
Richie warned the Platinum Ticket holder on episode 16 that he shouldn’t worry if he doesn’t win the show, because he’s already a star.
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Since he’s no longer on the show, only time will tell how things will pan out for Copeland.
“When you’re in this competition you think about numbers. Forget numbers. You have a career. You are a star, automatically,” Richie said. “Now what I want you to understand now is it’s how far you will go, not in this competition, but in the career of this music business.”
Andre Lamar is the features/lifestyle reporter. If you have an interesting story idea, email Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com.
