Aftermath of American Idol Season 22: What Became of Winner Abi Carter?

American Idol season 22 champion Abi Carter has been making waves in the music industry since her triumphant victory in May 2024. A remarkable 21-year-old talent hailing from Indio, California, Abi stood out as the first-ever recipient of the platinum ticket to win the competition. Her audition performance of Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?”captivated the judges—Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan—setting the stage for her eventual victory over runner-up Will Moseley and third-place finisher Jack Blocker.

Throughout American Idol season 22, Abi delivered a series of standout performances, showcasing her diverse vocal range with songs such as “Oceans (Where Feet May Fall),””Bring Me To Life,”and “Hello.”Notably, she performed her original single “This Isn’t Over,”which she co-wrote with Samuel Michael Shrieve, during the finale, marking its debut at No. 23 on the Digital Song Sales chart. As she advances her music career, let’s take a look at what Abi has accomplished since her win.

Abi Carter’s Music Releases Post-Idol

Debut Album Release in November 2024

Since her crowning as the American Idol winner, Abi has been prolific in her music production, rolling out singles like “Peppermint Sky,””some people need drugs,”and “Comfortably Numb.”The music videos for “Peppermint Sky”and “some people need drugs”further add to her artistic portfolio. In an October 2024 Instagram announcement, Abi revealed that “Comfortably Numb”would be the next single from her debut album, titled Ghosts in the Backyard, scheduled for release on November 15, 2024.

Reflecting on her journey, Abi shared that her 2020 quarantine inspired her to create a bucket list, though she had no clear path to achieving it at the time. In her heartfelt post, she expressed, “On November 15th, I’ll be able to cross it off my bucket list:) this album is both a time stamp and a milestone for me, exploring empty relationships, heavy nostalgia, and every up and down that led me to the incredible journey of making music for you. I could cry just thinking about it, and I hope this song and album mean as much to you as they do to me.“

First Concert Performances Following American Idol

Stagecoach 2025 Performance

Abi’s first post-Idol concert, titled “No Amount of Dark,”took place at Acrisure Arena on July 27, 2024, which she celebrated in a montage of video clips set to her song “Peppermint Sky.”In her August Instagram post, Abi expressed her disbelief at the show’s success, stating, “Still can’t believe last weekend was real. Thanks to all the people that brought this show to life. Tour dates coming soon; look out for a show in a city near you ;).”

In September 2024, she shared exciting news about her appearance at Stagecoach 2025, California’s renowned country music festival, scheduled for April 25, 2025. Abi will share the stage with headliner Zach Bryan, further showcasing her growing prominence in the music scene. “I’m officially dreaming!”she wrote in her announcement.

Event Appearances and Community Engagement

High Visibility Post-Show

In addition to her musical endeavors, Abi has remained active in public events. She performed at D23 in August 2024 and took part in New York Fashion Week that September. A notable moment occurred when she sang the National Anthem during Game 3 of the National League Championship Series between the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers at Citifield on October 16, 2024 (credit: worldbaseball_com).

Demonstrating her commitment to giving back, Abi surprised employees of Eisenhower Health in California with tickets to her concert on July 27, 2024. This act of appreciation was shared by Acrisure Arena on Instagram, where she expressed her gratitude for the hard work of the healthcare staff.

Upcoming Tour: Ghosts in the Backyard

Touring Across the Country

As 2025 unfolds, Abi announced her exciting Ghosts in the Backyard Tour, promoting her debut album. She shared the tour dates on her Instagram, which will kick off on February 25 in San Diego and include multiple cities like Nashville and Atlanta. Abi’s tour aims to create intimate experiences for her fans in smaller venues, enhancing the connection between the artist and her audience.

In her enthusiastic post, Abi wrote, “AHHHHHH I’M GOING ON TOUR!!!!!,”inviting fans to grab presale tickets. The response from her audience has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing excitement for the upcoming performances. Fellow contestants such as top 10 finalist Kayko and top 24 finalist Blake Proehl have also joined in the celebration, indicating their support and plans to attend.

A fan pointed out that the tour’s opening date coincides with the one-year anniversary of Abi’s American Idol debut—a remarkable milestone in her journey. “How insane,”Abi replied, reflecting on her growth and achievements since then. With her relentless dedication, it’s clear that Abi is on the path to establishing a lasting legacy in the music industry.

Though just beginning her career after winning American Idol season 22, Abi Carter has already made an impressive mark through her music, performances, and public engagement. Possessing an exceptional voice and memorable stage presence, she holds great potential to become one of the most successful winners in the show’s history.

The next installment of American Idol, season 23, is set to premiere on Sunday, March 9 at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.

Sources: Abi Carter, Abi Carter, Abi Carter, worldbaseball_com, Acrisure Arena, Abi Carter

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