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05/27/2015 08:00 AMNick Fradiani, Jr., didn’t plan on trying out for American Idol XIV, never mind taking home the title, which he did after a May 13 two-hour season finale episode packed with star-studded performances.
Fradiani’s road to becoming the 2015 American Idol happened by chance. One of his friends asked him to accompany her on guitar for her Skype audition, Fradiani told Idol host Ryan Seacrest. The producers then asked Fradiani if he sang, too.
“I just did it, and then I won,” said Fradiani to Seacrest on www.ryanseacrest.com. “One little thing like that, and my life is altered.”
Local fans were celebrating, as well. In addition to the season-long viewing party held at Spotlight Theatres in Hartford, The Marketplace at the Guilford Food Center co-owner Dee Jacobs organized an outdoor viewing party in the St. George Catholic Church parking lot just off of the Guilford Green on May 13. Word of the hometown support made it back to the very busy new American Idol.
“It was like a love-fest last night after it was over,” said Fradiani’s dad, Nick Fradiani, Sr. “The after-party was surreal. He was ecstatic and happy about the support from Guilford. He’d heard about the big screen and viewing party at St. George’s, and he’s still talking about the homecoming.”
May 1 was dubbed “Nick Fradiani Day” in Guilford, and more than 10,000 of his fans came out to the Guilford Green for a parade and concert featuring Fradiani, Jr.’s, band, Beach Avenue.
In interviews with Seacrest, a video message from Fradiani and 105.9’s Renee Dinino, and on his Facebook page, Fradiani extends his gratitude to his family, his friends, and his fans, especially those who supported him from his home state of Connecticut.
“This journey has been something I’ll never forget,” he said with Dinino by his side. “Without you guys, without your support, I wouldn’t be here. You’ve single-handedly changed my life. I can’t thank you enough. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.”
Fradiani, Sr., said their history with Dinino goes back to the 2011 Battle of the Bands, when the father-and-son duo were part of a band that competed.
“She’s been behind him since then,” said Fradiani, Sr. “She said if he made the finals, she’d be there, and she was. She’s been great.”
Fradiani, just weeks out of returning to Guilford for his hometown concert, won American Idol with his family in the audience, and both he and his family were emotional as he and runner-up Clark Beckham awaited the results.
“It’s been a long journey, and they’ve been on it with me—my family and my friends who came out there,” Fradiani told Seacrest. “When that song came on and the confetti was flying, it was emotional. I saw my mom and my dad, and it was a lot; it was crazy.”
Fradiani performed his first single, “Beautiful Life,” which was written by Chris Carrabba of Dashboard Confessional—one of Fradiani’s favorite bands. “Beautiful Life” is the 2015 anthem for the Fifa Women’s World Cup, which begins on June 6 in Canada.
Fradiani, Sr., credits the record label, Big Machine, with “knowing Nick’s heart and who he is.” Fradiani will head to Nashville to begin work on his album.
Last week, Fradiani posted that he was “still in shock” on his Facebook page, Facebook.com/NickFradianiMusic, and again thanked his fans.
“I can’t begin to thank you all enough for your support throughout American Idol. You all have changed my life forever. I can’t wait for you to begin this journey with me. I know I’ll always have you guys behind me. I’ll make sure to give you everything I have in my career. Thank you.”
In addition to working on his album, this summer, Fradiani will tour with American Idol Live!, which features the final five contestants, including Fradiani, Beckham, Jax, Rayvon Owen, and Tyanna Jones. American Idol Live! features 37 shows throughout July and August, coming to the New England area from July 22 to Aug. 5 with shows in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, and Rhode Island. For dates, visit www.americanidol.com/tour.
“Nick’s going to do big things, and we’re really thankful for how this turned out,” said Fradiani, Sr., who hopes to continue making music with his son. “We’ll see how it all plays out from here. For now, we’ve got to let this all sink in and process it—an American Idol comes from Guilford—that’s pretty crazy and the best part of it all. It put our town on the map a little bit more.”