Abigail "Abi" Carter (born July 31, 2002) is an American singer who won season 22 of American Idol in 2024.[1] She was the first woman in four years to win the competition.[2] She is from Indio, California, and graduated summa cum laude from Cal State San Bernardino, Palm Desert Campus, with a bachelor's degree in Marriage & Family Therapy.[3]
Abi Carter | |
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Carter at the 2024 U.S. gymnastics Olympic trials | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Abigail Carter |
Born | Indio, California, U.S. | July 31, 2002
Genres | Pop |
Occupation(s) | Singer |
Years active | 2024–present |
Website | abicartermusic |
Early life and education
editCarter was born on July 31, 2002,[4] and raised in Indio, California,[4] and is the second oldest of seven children in a "very religious family"[5] living with a single mother,[6] Andrea Engel Carter.[7] She has three sisters and three brothers, one of whom, Daniel, is a YouTube video creator.[8]
Carter says that her mother has always supported her in music; Andrea bought Abi her first keyboard. Abi began private piano lessons when she was 7 or 8; Marta Basham,[9] her former piano teacher, spoke to the press and was in the audience for an American Idol show. Referring to her mother's help, Carter told the Coachella Valley Weekly that she "wouldn't be the person I am today without her guiding me along the way".[10]
Carter said that when she was about 11, while cleaning her house, she was listening to "Battle Scars" by Guy Sebastian and Lupe Fiasco. At the time, she noticed patterns in music and music theory principles in pop music. Since then, she has continued playing by ear and improvising.[11]
She went to school at George Washington Charter School in Palm Desert, California until third grade and then was homeschooled. She attended La Quinta High School in La Quinta, California for less than a semester and returned to being homeschooled. About that time, her parents separated. She said that she left high school so that she could also work part-time, help care for her siblings, buy a car, and chauffeur her siblings to school and appointments.[11][12]
She finished high school early[3] and studied psychology at California State University, San Bernardino, Palm Desert campus.[13] In May 2023, she graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in Marriage & Family Therapy. She was planning on pursuing a master's degree next, but chose to first devote a year to her music, hoping to be able to make it a career.[3]
Before Idol
editIn 2016, Carter and her mother, who is also a singer, performed for the McCallum Theatre's Open Call Talent Competition, an annual event in Palm Desert. Abi was 13 and her mother 35, and they won "Best Vocal Act" that year. She tried out for Open Call to help her mother overcome her stage fright.[7] Abi has been an Open Call finalist five times.[14][15]
When Carter was 19, she decided to devote more time to her passion for music, so she quit her job as a gymnastics instructor and started busking.[16][11][3] She also gained valuable experience performing at country clubs in the Coachella Valley, as well as at the bar at Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar in Palm Springs, and at Kitchen 86 + Bar in Palm Desert,[11] the "first restaurant that hired her to play music".[17] Her goal was to earn a living by singing, and when local restaurant owners encouraged her to sing in their restaurants, she thought she had reached her goal.[16]
She also performed at VillageFest, a weekly street fair in downtown Palm Springs.[18][19][20] When she first began playing at VillageFest, she started with "12-30 songs" she already knew and just "played them on repeat for four hours straight". Then she began to realize she knew more songs and "actually could play anything that people asked for as long as I had heard it before. I didn't know I could do that."[21]
When some social media videos of her playing were well-received, she was pleasantly surprised and encouraged, so she decided to post cover videos to see what would happen. When she posted a video of her singing the 2023 song "Vampire", by Olivia Rodrigo, American Idol casting producer Ariel Panzer saw the video and invited her to audition for the show. After a couple Zoom meetings with American Idol producers, she decided to audition in Santa Barbara, and, as she puts it, "The rest is history."[16]
Her music is inspired by the following artists: Taylor Swift, Sara Bareilles, Gracie Abrams, Lizzy McAlpine,[22] Carrie Underwood, My Chemical Romance, Paramore,[4] and Billie Eilish.[23] She has been a fan of Billie Eilish since she was a young teenager.[24] Her favorite American Idol alums are: Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, David Archuleta, Adam Lambert, and Jordin Sparks.[4] She has also named Manchester Orchestra as an inspiration.[25] Her favorite karaoke song is "Bring Me to Life" by Evanescence.[26]
American Idol contest
editIn late 2023, after the judges had listened to two days of auditions,[27] Carter performed as the last person of the Los Angeles auditions.[21] She sang Billie Eilish's "What Was I Made For?", a rendition that impressed all three judges, with Lionel Richie declaring, "We don't have to vote."[27] Wide Open Country reported that she made the song personal by adding complex runs to the melody and using her falsetto range.[28] When she finished the song, Katy Perry approached her and said, "Thank you for being an example of singing from your heart. What were you made for? You were made for this. One hundred percent."[27] Luke Bryan said to Lionel Richie, "That may be the winner of American Idol." Perry turned around and said to Bryan: "Luke, she's Top 10, right?" Richie and Bryan agreed that Carter could win the show. Bryan also mentioned that he had never heard the show's crew clap before.[29] Richie said to Carter's family: "That's the best we've ever heard on this show. ... I'm not kidding."[27] Carter was awarded a golden ticket without the judges voting,[27] and a week later her golden ticket was upgraded to a platinum ticket.[6]
On March 23, Carter's first concert was held in her home town of Indio. It was a fundraising event where nearly 1,000 people attended.[30]
On April 7, after making it into the Top 24,[31] she sang "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)" by Hillsong United. Perry told Carter, "I don’t know if I'm allowed to say it, but you're my favorite. I just think you're so gifted."[32]
In the Top 20, Carter sang a slowed-down version of "Welcome to the Black Parade" by My Chemical Romance,[33] and Perry cried a little during the song. Carter sang the song as a tribute to her grandfather, who died in 2021, and to her grandmother, who died after American Idol filmed in Kapolei, Hawaii.[34]
In an interview after she had made it into the Top 3, when Carter was asked if there was a particular performance she was most proud of, she mentioned two songs: her audition performance of "What Was I Made For?" because the song relates to her true identity as a performer; and "Bring Me to Life" because it helped her to perform outside her normal comfort zone and discover many layers of herself.[16]
A hometown visit is a tradition for the Top 3 contestants, with a parade and concert,[9] and one stop in the Coachella Valley was at her old school, George Washington Charter School. She described the impact of her story on children:[17]
'I looked at all these little kids and I remembered when I was a little kid in that same room, auditioning for my very first talent show. I just kind of thought to myself, if somebody from my same background came to my school when I was a kid and basically told me that what I wanted to do in the future was possible from where I'm at, I might have done it sooner. I might have been more confident, I might have not wasted time thinking that my life would never go further than where I was at,' Carter said. 'To be that for some kids was incredible to me.'
During the Grand Finale, Billie Eilish expressed her love and support for Carter in a prerecorded video message:[23]
Hi Abi, it's Billie. I wanted to say congratulations for making the 'Top 3' on American Idol. This is such a big deal. I'm so happy for you. It's so amazing to see you in the finale after you sang my song, 'What Was I Made For?' in your audition. I love you so much. I wish you nothing but the best, and I just can't wait to see what happens tonight. I'm here to support you forever, and I love ya. Have fun.
Carter sang three songs in the season finale of the contest, ending with her original song, "This Isn't Over".[35][36] On May 19, 2024, Carter became the season 22 winner and sang "What Was I Made For?" again.[37] Will Moseley came in second and Jack Blocker finished in third place.[38] Carter is the first recipient of a platinum ticket to win the competition,[39] the first woman in four years to win, and the eighth female winner overall.[2] Immediately after her win, Bryan said to Carter: "I think this is the first time the person that we thought was gonna be the winner actually was."[40]
Carter was frequently predicted to become one of the Top 3 contestants[41] or possibly even the final winner. Parade Magazine wrote: "The bottom line is that any of the three could win it and be deserving of the honor, but my prediction is it should be Abi. As stated above, she's got it all, she's the whole package, and most importantly, enough experience to go with it."[42]
American Idol season 22 performances and results | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Episode | Theme | Song | Original artist | Order | Result |
Audition | Contestant's choice | "What Was I Made For?" | Billie Eilish | N/A | Advanced |
Showstopper | "If I Could Turn Back Time" | Cher | |||
Top 24 | "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)" | Hillsong United | 8 | Safe | |
Top 20 | "Welcome to the Black Parade" | My Chemical Romance | 17 | ||
"My Mind" | Yebba | 12 | |||
Top 14 | Rock and Roll Hall of Fame | "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" | Elton John | 14 | |
Top 12 | Billboard #1 Hits | "All Too Well" | Taylor Swift | 1 | |
Top 10 | Contestant's Birth Year | "Clocks" | Coldplay | 7 | |
Top 8 | Judges' Song Contest | "Bring Me to Life" | Evanescence | 5 | |
Top 7 | Dance Song | "My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark" | Fall Out Boy | 3 | |
Adele | "Hello" | Adele | 14 | ||
Top 5 | Disney | "Part of Your World" | Jodi Benson | 1 | |
"The Chain" | Fleetwood Mac | 8 | |||
Finale: Top 3 | Bon Jovi | "Bed of Roses" | Bon Jovi | 3 | |
Song for Hometown | "Somewhere" | Multiple Artists | 6 | ||
Finale: Top 2 | Original Song | "This Isn't Over" | Abi Carter | 8 | Winner |
After Idol
editAfter her win on May 19, she was flown to New York City for a publicity tour. There she was able to take in a Broadway theatre show.[17] She also appeared on Good Morning America[43] and Live with Kelly and Mark. There she performed her new single, "This Isn't Over"[44] and revealed she had expected Will Moseley to win, describing him as "amazing".[45] She also sang and threw out the ceremonial first pitch at a New York Mets baseball game.[17]
On May 31, 2024, her first time returning home after her win, Carter sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" and dropped the ceremonial first puck at the opening of a hockey game between the Coachella Valley Firebirds and the Milwaukee Admirals at the Acrisure Arena in the Coachella Valley.[46][47]
On June 20, she performed during the first intermission of the American Hockey League Calder Cup playoffs for her hometown team, the Coachella Valley Firebirds, where she also announced her first full concert would be held at Acrisure Arena on July 27.[48][49] On June 27, she sang the national anthem at the 2024 United States Olympic trials for gymnastics.[50]
On July 27, she held her first full concert, "No Amount of Dark", at Acrisure Arena. It was described as a "stellar" performance.[51] The concert's title comes from the lyrics of one of her songs.[52] She sang her recent singles, covers of popular songs, and some unreleased songs.[53][54] Canadian pop singer Laur Elle was the concert's opening act.[55][56]
On August 10, she performed a cover of Madonna's "Like a Prayer" for D23.[57]
Public image
editKaty Perry said her "voice is unlike anything I've heard in pop music" and compared Carter to Ariana Grande, whom Perry considers "the best singer of our generation".[58]
Personal life
editCarter is in a relationship with boyfriend Cooper McCollum from Allen, Texas.[8]
After American Idol, she moved to Los Angeles, where she is writing songs and working in studios with writers.[21]
Discography
editReferences
edit- ^ Callahan, Erinn (March 4, 2024). ""End the Contest": 'American Idol' Fans Preemptively Crown Their Season 22 Winner". American Songwriter. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ a b Piner, Chris (May 20, 2024). "Abi Carter Breaks Silence on 'American Idol' Win and Being First Female Champion in Over 4 Years". American Songwriter. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Lane, Liv (May 23, 2024). "'Idol' Winner Abi Carter Reveals Heartbreaking Story Behind Her New Song (Exclusive)". Heavy. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Bronson, Fred (April 23, 2024). "Meet 2024's 'American Idol' Top 10 Contestants". Billboard. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ^ Norwin, Alyssa (April 22, 2024). "Who Is Abi Carter? The Talented Singer Is the Winner of 'American Idol' Season 22". Yahoo! Entertainment. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ a b Cohn, Paulette (February 25, 2024). "'American Idol' Judges Award Platinum Ticket to the 'Best Thing We've Ever Heard'". Parade. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ a b Daye, Julia (February 26, 2024). "American Idol Judges Stunned by 21-Year-Old California Singer: "May be the Winner"". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- ^ a b Househ, Aysha Ashley (February 26, 2024). "Barbie Cover Secures Platinum Ticket for Abi Carter, Here's What to Know About the American Idol 2024 Contestant". HiddenRemote. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- ^ a b Sasic, Ema (May 14, 2024). "'American Idol' finalist Abi Carter visits her former school". The Desert Sun. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
- ^ Gutierrez, Noe (March 28, 2018). "Abigail Carter". Coachella Valley Weekly. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Sasic, Ema (March 5, 2018). "Indio's Abi Carter Was Serenading the Palm Springs Area Long Before "American Idol" Debut". The Desert Sun. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- ^ Anthony, Allie (May 1, 2024). "Abi Carter finds encouragement from Coachella Valley heading into 'American Idol'". KESQ-TV. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ "CSUSB alumna Abi Carter wins 'American Idol'". California State University, San Bernardino. May 20, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ^ Norman, Jeffrey (May 10, 2024). "'Love is' ... Open Call 2024 at the McCallum Theatre". The Desert Sun. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ Sasic, Ema (April 16, 2024). "Local finalists discuss McCallum Theatre 'passion project' Open Call". The Desert Sun. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Exclusive: One-on-one interview with American Idol's Abi Carter". YouTube. Forest Park Studios (official account). March 6, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Sasic, Ema (March 22, 2024). "'American Idol' winner Abi Carter reflects on finale, hometown visit to Indio, what's next". The Desert Sun. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- ^ Albani-Burgio, Paul (May 14, 2024). "'American Idol' finalist Abi Carter visits her old Palm Springs VillageFest street corner". The Desert Sun. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
- ^ Karcher, Carmela (May 21, 2024). "The Valley's Voice: Abi Carter's Inspiring Journey To Being Crowned The American Idol". NBC Palm Springs. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
- ^ Gray, Eric (May 14, 2024). "Local American Idol Contestant Abi Carter Gives A Shout Out To Palm Springs Village Fest". Palm Springs Tribune. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
- ^ a b c "From Street Performer to Stardom: An Exclusive Interview with American Idol Winner Abi Carter". YouTube. The Desert Brew, NBC Palm Springs (official account). June 23, 2024. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
- ^ Casalena, Em (May 19, 2024). "3 Quick Facts About 'American Idol' Finalist Abi Carter". American Songwriter. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ a b "That's her Idol!!! Billie Eilish supports Abi Carter on #AmericanIdol!". YouTube. American Idol (official account). March 6, 2024. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ "'American Idol' Winner Abi Carter REACTS To Billie Eilish Message & Viral Audition". YouTube. Access Hollywood (official account). March 6, 2024. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ Callahan, Erinn (July 21, 2024). "'American Idol' Winner Abi Carter Reveals the 3 Artists Who Have Inspired Her Most". American Songwriter. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
- ^ Freguia, Isabelle (July 26, 2024). "American Idol Winner Abi Carter Performs at Acrisure Arena". Palm Springs Life. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Robinson, KiMi (February 26, 2024). "American Idol Judges Say Contestant Covering Billie Eilish's "Barbie" Song is "Best We've Ever Heard"". USA Today. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- ^ Vaughn, Grace Lenehan (February 26, 2024). "American Idol: Luke Bryan Says This 21-Year-Old Singer Might be the Winner". Wide Open Country. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- ^ "Abi Carter Stuns With "What Was I Made For?" (From Barbie)". YouTube. American Idol (official account). March 6, 2024. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ Price, Miyoshi (March 23, 2024). "An Indio native performs at her first concert before heading to American Idol". KESQ-TV. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
- ^ Davidson, Denton (April 7, 2024). "American Idol 22 episode 8 recap: The Top 24 perform for America's vote – Part 1 [Live Blog]". GoldDerby. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
- ^ Casalena, Em (April 8, 2024). "Katy Perry's Admission Leaves "American Idol" Favorite in Tears: "I Don't Know If I'm Allowed to Say It"". American Songwriter. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
- ^ "Abi Carter: Slowed Down Ballad Of "Welcome To The Black Parade"". YouTube. American Idol (official account). March 6, 2024. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ Swift, Andy (April 14, 2024). "American Idol's Top 20 Revealed! Were the Right Four Singers Eliminated?". TVLine. Retrieved April 16, 2024 – via Yahoo.
- ^ Daye, Julia (May 17, 2024). "'American Idol' finalist Abi Carter sings of resilience in new single 'This Isn't Over'". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ Gutierrez, Noe (May 22, 2024). "Congratulations Abi Carter – American Idol 2024!". Coachella Valley Weekly. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
- ^ "Abi Carter Wins American Idol 2024". The Music Man. May 20, 2024. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ Brandle, Lars (May 20, 2024). "Abi Carter Wins 'American Idol' 2024". Billboard. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ Freedman, Adrianna (March 31, 2024). "American Idol Fans Will be Shocked to Learn These Platinum Ticket Details". Good Housekeeping. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ Casalena, Em (May 21, 2024). "Abi Carter Dishes on Luke Bryan's Eye-Opening First Words to Her After Winning 'American Idol'". American Songwriter. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
- ^ Cohn, Paulette (May 12, 2024). "'American Idol' Judges Predict the Top 3 for 2024". Parade. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^ Cohn, Paulette (May 14, 2024). "Who Will Win 'American Idol' 2024: Our Predictions After Watching Every Episode". Parade. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^ "Abi Carter and Will Moseley talk 'American Idol' journey". Good Morning America, S14 E142. May 21, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^ "American Idol Winner Abi Carter Performs 'This Isn't Over'". Live with Kelly and Mark. May 21, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^ "American Idol Winner Abi Carter". Live with Kelly and Mark. May 21, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^ Ventura, Bianca (May 31, 2024). "American Idol winner Abi Carter drops puck, sings national anthem at CV Firebirds playoff game". KESQ-TV. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^ "American Idol's Abi Carter sings national anthem, drops puck at Firebirds playoff game". YouTube. KESQ-TV (official account). May 31, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^ Powers, Shad (June 21, 2024). "'American Idol' winner Abi Carter to play at Acrisure Arena on July 27". The Desert Sun. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
- ^ Piner, Chris (June 21, 2024). "'American Idol' Winner Abi Carter Performs Original Song for Hometown Crowd, Makes Special Announcement". American Songwriter. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
- ^ "Image from 2024 United States Olympic trials for gymnastics". Wikimedia Commons. June 27, 2024. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
- ^ Coulter, Tom (July 28, 2024). "'American Idol' Abi Carter delivers stellar arena headlining show". The Desert Sun. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ "Abi Carter reflects on 'American Idol' S22 Win and her upcoming concert". KTLA. July 8, 2024. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
- ^ Kottmann, Niki; Coulter, Tom (July 28, 2024). "'American Idol' Abi Carter complete Acrisure Arena concert setlist". The Desert Sun. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ "CSUSB alumna Abi Carter shines in Acrisure Arena concert performance". CSUSB. August 1, 2024. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
- ^ Palinkas, Lorianne (July 9, 2024). "American Idol's Abi Carter Announces Exciting News About Upcoming Career Milestone". Screen Rant. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
- ^ "Abi Carter Announces Laur Elle as Special Guest Opener for July 27 Show". Acrisure Arena. July 8, 2024. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
- ^ Weprin, Alex (August 10, 2024). "From 'Encanto' and Disney Villains to 'Monsters, Inc.' and Tony Stark: All the New Disney Theme Park Lands and Attractions Announced at D23". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
- ^ Ledbetter, Carly (May 23, 2024). "Katy Perry Praises The 'Best Singer Of Our Generation'". HuffPost. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ Carter, Abi (March 6, 2024). "It's All Love (Official Lyric Video)". YouTube. Abi Carter (official account). Retrieved May 27, 2024.
- ^ Carter, Abi (May 18, 2024). "This Isn't Over (Official Music Video)". YouTube. Abi Carter (official account). Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ Carter, Abi (May 22, 2024). "This Isn't Over (Official Lyric Video)". YouTube. Abi Carter (official account). Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ Carter, Abi (August 13, 2024). "Peppermint Sky (Official Music Video)". YouTube. Retrieved August 13, 2024.