El Paso native Julian Kalel advances to Hollywood on ‘American Idol’<\/a><\/p>\nEl Paso’s Julian Kalel hits ‘American Idol’ top 30, sings up mental health awareness<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
During Hollywood Week, Kalel performed in front of judges Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie \u2014 and his emotional performance moved him forward into the top 30.<\/p>\n
\u201cI mean all I can say is that I’m really really glad that I decided to return and give myself another chance. I knew deep down that I’d regret it if I if I didn’t take that shot. And I mean I couldn’t have done it without my sister alongside me. I don’t know if people could tell. I could tell when I was watching but I was so nervous,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Kalel has been open about his battle with anxiety and depression, including a time when he believed those struggles defined him. Now, he\u2019s working to change that narrative through his music \u2014 and through what he wishes he could tell his younger self.<\/p>\n
\u201cUm, if I could sit down with my younger self right now, I know right now he’d be pretty scared and pretty hurt, but I would say your feelings are real right now,\u201d Kalel said. \u201cThey’re valid. But they do not define who you are and they don’t define your future and what you see ahead of you. No matter how dark that future may look or feel. Talking about my own struggles through lyrics is a big reason.\u201d<\/p>\n
He also said music became an even bigger outlet after a life-changing car crash shifted his perspective and pushed him to express what he had been holding inside.<\/p>\n
Kalel said he especially hopes young people \u2014 and young men in particular \u2014 hear his message that speaking up matters.<\/p>\n
\u201cI’m still here pushing this message, but especially for young men asking for help is strength. It’s not a weakness and if you’re struggling, please tell someone because just one conversation can change. I mean, your future really can change even the day after,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
For Kalel, returning to \u201cAmerican Idol\u201d wasn\u2019t about proving anyone wrong \u2014 it was about growth and timing.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe in change and sometimes, you know, you might feel like you’re ready for the moment and you just aren’t and you know it’s just not the right timing. God has other plans,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Now, with El Paso in his corner, Kalel said he hopes his story encourages others to keep going \u2014 even when it feels like the easier choice is to stop.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just stayed one more day, you know, I just worked on that I realized that that wasn’t true. You know, they don’t define my future, and I want to prove that through music and through resilience and through kindness and through compassion, you know, just it’s really amazing what? Staying another day can do for your life,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Kalel continues his journey on \u201cAmerican Idol\u201d on Monday nights.<\/p>\n
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