The ‘Best Soul Singer of the Season' Gets 'American Idol's First Platinum Ticket

Odell Bunton Jr.

The Platinum Ticket was introduced to American Idol two years ago in celebration of the talent competition’s 20^th anniversary. It is an exclusive ticket only given to three performers each season. What makes it more special than the Golden Ticket is that the artist who is awarded it gets to skip the first round of performances during Hollywood Week and watch from the audience to check out their competition.

The Platinum Ticket is back for Season 7 on ABC (Season 22 overall) and judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan awarded the first of three tickets to 28-year-old Odell Bunton Jr. from Arlington, Texas, an airport security guard, who wowed them with his performance of Sam Cooke’s “Bring It On Home to Me.”

Odell, who is the father of five—an 11-year-old son, a 5-year-old daughter, a 4-year-old daughter, a 3-year-old daughter, and a 2-year old son—just slipped under the wire at 28 years old.

“I got here by the grace of God,” Odell tells the judges. “I was 6 years old when I decided I wanted to be a singer. First, I sang songs. Then I started leading songs and leading praise and worship. Shout out to my mom [Donna], she sat us down and taught us how to sing at the same time.”

Odell fell in love with music and began working on a career when he was just 13 years old, knowing even at that young age that that was what he wanted to do. But, he took a break from music around the time his oldest daughter was born.

“I wanted to focus in on being the best father I could be. My kids are definitely the most important thing in my life. The second most important thing is providing a great future for them. Currently, I work the overnight shift at the [Dallas International] airport. It has not been easy trying to provide for five. It’s been a struggle.”

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Part of Odell’s struggle is that he and his wife Shantiqua and their five kids are currently living in a hotel.

“I never thought I would be in a situation like this,” he continues. “Holding my head up, keeping it up, has been one of the toughest things I have ever experienced in my life. It’s one of the toughest things to learn. You know what? 'Your kids are with you. Just get them out of here because they deserve it.' They’re amazing kids.”

So, getting a Gold Ticket to Hollywood meant everything to Odell. It gave him hope.

Truth be told, he was overwhelmed when Lionel, Katy and Luke gave him a standing ovation for his performance of “Bring It On Home to Me”

Lionel walked over to him and said, “You have what we call p-o-tential. Potential son. I was not expecting all of that from the security chief. But that was real old school.”

Katy said, “I would say that you’re the best soul singer that we have this season.”

Lionel agreed, “Absolutely.”

Luke, too, said, “Yes you are. I wrote incredible. It was one of those things where I had a chill hit my rib cage and then you hit another one and my leg went numb. I don’t know where you’ve been doing this and why you’re 28… I hosted the CMA Awards and Jelly Roll stood up there at 39 and he won Best New Artist. It’s never too late. You’re a great singer.”

Lionel added, “Your kids, your family, they’re going to be so proud of you. I cannot wait for them to see daddy on TV. I think that’s what’s going to happen.”

Odell got three yeses, including a hallelujah yes from Lionel, meaning he had a Gold Ticket to Hollywood.

Then one week later, at WFAA in Dallas, Odell and his family were on the news to talk about his American Idol audition, which he described as a “dream.”

Then cut to Luke, Katy and Lionel via satellite. Luke told him, “We loved your audition. We gave you a Gold Ticket to get you to Hollywood, but we loved your audition so much, we decided to give you an upgrade. This year, we’re giving out three Platinum Tickets and you get one of the three Platinum Tickets. You earned it. Celebrate with your family. We love you.”

Odell had tears in his eyes saying, “I don’t have the words right now. I’ve been working really hard.”

American Idol airs Sunday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC, next day on Hulu.

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