As an American Idol fan, it is always fascinating to find out what your favorite contestants are up to.
While some go on to become well-known superstars, others retreat from public life, while others pursue a low-key musical career away from the Hollywood buzz.
One such contestant was Anilee List, whom we met on season 19 of American Idol. Not only is she gorgeous, but she also has a powerful voice, as evidenced by her various performances, including her rendition of ‘’Blue’’ by Aaron Taylor.
It was quite a disappointment that she didn’t get enough votes to progress to the top levels of the music competition.
Anyway, we did a little digging and found out exactly what happened to Anilee List on American Idol. Read on for a blow-by-blow account of what this promising contestant is up to now.
Who is Anilee List on American Idol?
The American Idol judges agreed that Anilee List was very close to becoming a global superstar.
While she did make it to the Top 24, her journey on the famous music competition show ended when she failed to secure enough votes to progress to the Top 16.
Anilee List was born in Los Angeles and began performing when she was 4 years old. She attended elementary and middle school at Playa Vista’s Westside Neighborhood School while also training in musical theater and contemporary music.
After high school, she moved to Boston to attend the Berklee College of Music as a member of the class of 2022. List majors in vocal performance and teaches vocal lessons, which is hardly surprising—we can all agree that this gal has a very strong and robust vocal range.
Despite not progressing across the ranks on American Idol, Anilee boasts many accomplishments. For starters, she was named a 2018 U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts, one of only 20 to have accomplished such a feat that year. The previous year, in 2017, List was a finalist in the National Young Arts Foundation.
She has a strong background in a cappella music. In high school, she was part of an a-cappella music group known as Legacy, which bagged the prize for the High School A-Capella International Championship in 2018. At college, she is also a member of Pitch Slapped, a well-known a cappella group.
Her other accomplishments include performing at the Kennedy Center, Hollywood Bowl, Lincoln Center, and Carnegie Hall not once but twice!
Clearly, despite being relatively new in her musical career, this young lady has already built an impressive resume.
The Real Reason Anilee List Didn’t Make It to Top 16 On American Idol
At the American Idol 19th season audition performance, Anilee List wowed the judges with her rendition of Aaron Taylor’s song, Blue, allowing her to qualify for Hollywood Week and then on to the Top 24.
Some of her outstanding performances included a duet with Joss Stone, where they sang one of the classic duets, ‘’Tell Me Something Good” by Rufus and Chaka Kahn, and “My Future” with Billie Eilish. She was truly ready to make a name in music.
But List, a neo-soul music fan, also admitted that Hollywood Week was a bit overwhelming, making her feel a little lost.
Her duet with celebrity singer and songwriter Joss Stone was supposed to restore List’s confidence, but still, something was missing.
“Although you were in your element and making beautiful music, you were thinking, and you don’t need to do that. Just flow with it,” judge Lionel Richie said of Anilee’s performance.
The other judges agreed. Judge Katy Perry and Luke Bryan chimed in and told List, “You are very close to next-level greatness with your awesome voice, but you’ve got to enjoy it.”
Aside from the comments from judges, Americans, too, wanted a little bit more from the California native, but clearly, she didn’t impress the public enough to get their votes to secure a spot on the Top 16.
This Is What Anilee List is Upto These Days
It seems like just the other day, American Idol season 19 contestants graced our television screens.
Well, a lot has happened in the two years since we last saw Anilee List. For one, she went off to college in 2022 to join the prestigious Berkley College of Music in Boston, which is a major goal for anyone wanting to pursue a professional music career!
List was one of five students from the renowned college to be chosen as a golden ticket winner for American Idols. Her peers, Brennan Helper and Grace Kinstler, qualified for the Top 16, but List failed to secure enough votes.
Anilee is a busy gal these days, juggling between classes at Berklee, where she majors in vocal performance and works as a teaching assistant at the same institution.
She is also very active in causes that matter to her, such as the Black Lives Matter movement and the Tourette’s Association of America.
List was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome when she was 10 years old. Although the condition initially took a jab at her confidence and her tics made her want to keep to herself, the story of James Durbin uplifted her.
Durbin was the first contestant on American Idol with Tourette Syndrome. His performance throughout the show up until his elimination was impressive, giving List the motivation to go out there and fiercely pursue her music career.
“I was very inspired. He gave me hope that this condition doesn’t mean I have to give up on my dreams of singing,” Anilee quipped.
Durbin and List eventually met at a Tourette Association of America fundraiser, where they both performed. List says that her involvement with the association has really boosted her confidence over the years.
Is Anilee Dating Andrea Valles From American Idol Season 19?
Anilee List has found love, and she seems happier than ever!
In an Instagram post, she officially confirmed that she and fellow former contestant Andrea Valle are a thing.
She posted a series of romantic pictures of themselves with a caption reading, “In case you were wondering <3.’’
The photos, one in which Valles is kissing List on the cheek, were met with hearty comments from List’s fans and fellow American Idol contestants.
Valles hails from Houston and was qualified to be in the Top 24. She performed ‘’Blinding Lights’’ by the Weekend and ‘’Lay Me Down” by Sam Smith.
The two look so sweet and happy together, and they are definitely #couplegoals.
Despite not making it to the top of American Idol, Anilee List is doing very well for herself right now, from the look of things. We wish her all the best!
