Murphy Native Braden Rumfelt Shines During Hollywood Week on American Idol

MURPHY, N.C. — Murphy native Braden Rumfelt took center stage Monday night on American Idol’s first Hollywood Week episode, airing Feb. 23 on ABC, delivering a performance that left judges and audiences buzzing. 

The 22-year-old substitute teacher from Murphy, North Carolina, stepped onto the American Idol stage in Nashville’s Belmont University Fisher Center during the high-stakes opening round of Hollywood Week — a two-part elimination designed to narrow the field from 127 hopefuls toward the Season 24 Top 30.

Rumfelt chose Sam Smith’s “I’m Not the Only One” for his Hollywood Week performance, showcasing a rich, controlled vocal delivery that earned him a standing ovation from judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan.

Afterward, Bryan — a seasoned country star and one of the show’s judges — made a striking prediction about Rumfelt’s prospects, telling his fellow judges that the Murphy native “may win” the season, a rare early-stage accolade that underscored the impact of his performance.

Rumfelt’s journey to this moment has been marked by resilience. Earlier in the competition, he shared how multiple surgeries to correct a congenital leg condition ended his ambitions of playing professional sports and led to struggles with anxiety during recovery — challenges he said fueled his dedication to music and performance.

Before reaching Hollywood Week, Rumfelt first impressed judges during his audition with a heartfelt rendition of Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush,” accompanied by his twin brother, Kellen Rumfelt, who has been a longtime musical partner and supporter.

The Feb. 23 episode ended on a suspenseful note as producers withheld confirmation of Rumfelt’s advancement to the next round, leaving viewers and fans awaiting results in the Ohana Round in next week’s show.