Reviewed by: Nathan Watson
Samford students headed to Hollywood after auditioning for American Idol
Reading time: 4 minutes
Samford University has plenty to brag about this season. One transfer student and another who left school to pursue his dreams aced their American Idol auditions for season 24, which premiered Jan. 26.
The students, Alex Kanaday and Jackson White, did not appear in the audition episodes, but they both received the “Golden Ticket” nonetheless and will advance to the next stage.
Here is everything you need to know about these rising stars!
Alex Kanaday
Kanaday, a recent transfer student to Samford, is a commercial music major with a songwriting concentration. She began the audition process “almost by accident,” The Samford Crimson wrote, when her mom signed her up for a Zoom call.
“Very late August, I got home from school one day, and I kind of forgot about it.
“I just got on the Zoom, and I did the whole introduction thing. I was talking to a producer of the show. The 1st round, she said, ‘Hey, sing a song,’ but she ended up making me sing 4 songs.”
Alex Kanaday to The Samford Crimson
After several virtual rounds, she was invited to audition in Nashville in November with a panel of celebrity judges, Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan.
She performed an original song, “Sky,” for her audition, which she told The Samford Crimson was written for her late father.
“This experience was unlike anything I’ve done before. I sang an original song and earned a golden ticket. It truly felt like everything was coming together. As a commercial music major with a songwriting concentration, this opportunity is a dream come true.”
Alex Kanaday to Samford University
Jackson White
A Nashville native, White is a singer-songwriter and former student at Samford University. Just two weeks before classes started for his sophomore year, he decided not to return to Samford and instead opted to return to Tennessee to pursue music full time, The Samford Crimson reported.
He got noticed by American Idol’s casting team from a video he posted back in May 2025 singing “Don’t Know Why” by Nora Jones.
“From the video, somebody reached out from the American Idol casting team, and I was like, ‘Dude, I love American Idol,’ but it all started just from posting a video.”
Jackson White to The Samford Crimson
For his audition, White performed the timeless classic “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley, accompanied by his father on guitar.
“That’s probably like the most excited for something that I’ve been, maybe ever.
“It was definitely a little bit of nerves, but more exciting than anything. It felt like I was in a movie, and it was crazy, but I was really like just pumped.”
Jackson White to The Samford Crimson
When to catch Jackson + Alex on American Idol
Episodes of American Idol air every Monday on ABC — in Birmingham, our affiliate channel is ABC 33/40, which also serves the Tuscaloosa and Anniston areas — at 7 PM.
The singers did not announce the specific episode they would first appear in, but since they’re moving on to “Hollywood Week,” we’re sure to get a glimpse of them on the silver screen.
The first Hollywood Week episode airs this upcoming Monday, Feb. 23, at 7 PM. One other episode for Hollywood Week will air the following Monday, March 2.
For those who prefer the streaming experience, episodes are available to stream the following day on Hulu and Disney+.
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