Wareham's 'American Idol' hopeful Teddy Mathews waits for chance to shine

Mar 27, 2018

Wareham soul singer Teddy Mathews still hasn’t been featured on "American Idol" this season, including in Monday night’s episode, but he remains hopeful he might make an appearance soon.

"American Idol" premiered on March 11 on ABC, with judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie. Mathews, 21, was sent to Hollywood for a taping after a successful audition in New York City.

“If you audition for @americanidol, but they don’t air your performance did it even happen? Short answer: yes. So thankful to say I got my golden ticket with a big YES from all three judges!!! Maybe, just maybe, you’ll catch me during #hollywoodweek,” Mathews posted on his Instagram account on Monday.

During Monday’s episode, fans watching caught two, brief glimpses of Mathews sitting in the Dolby Theater in Hollywood cheering on fellow contestants. However, he didn’t receive airtime otherwise.

Mathews’ mom, Alicia Thatcher, said her son did receive attention from camera crews during his New York audition.

“They had us walk through the streets and have conversation while we were in New York City and they filmed us,” she said. “But we don’t really know how they’re putting everything together. Everything is really, really hush-hush.”

Thatcher even had a brush with the celebrity judges.

“The judges came out of the elevator and I was right there,” Thatcher said. “I was less than an arm’s length from Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan.”

Thatcher said she waited outside the audition room with Mathews’ friends while he had the audition and that he had a conversation with the judges. Mathews received a golden ticket to go to Hollywood and continue on “American Idol,” but Thatcher can’t say how far he got in the competition.

For now, Thatcher is enjoying watching the “American Idol” auditions along with everyone else.

Hollywood Week continues on “American Idol” Sunday, April 1. The episode will air at 8 p.m. on ABC.