Julián Kalel

S24 · Eliminated (13th–14th)

As of May 20, 2026

Julián Kalel Almanzán performs as Julián Kalel. He received a golden ticket on American Idol season 23 and did not continue to Hollywood Week while he was struggling with his mental health. He returned for season 24, reached the top 14, and was eliminated with Jake Thistle during Songs of Faith. He released Surrender on August 23, 2024 and Lone Guitar on September 1, 2025. In 2025 he partnered with the National Alliance on Mental Illness around Lone Guitar. On May 11, 2026 he performed at the season 24 finale and released Heartstrings.⁠[1][2][3]

Career

Before the show

  1. August 23, 2024He released the single Surrender on August 23, 2024. He had performed it at his season 23 audition.⁠[3][6]
  2. September 1, 2025He released Lone Guitar on September 1, 2025. In 2025 he partnered with the National Alliance on Mental Illness around that release.⁠[1][3]

After the show

  1. May 11, 2026On May 11, 2026 he performed at the season 24 finale and released the single Heartstrings.⁠[1][3]

Discography

No releases are documented yet.

Awards

Checked October 8, 2026; none found.

Other activity

  • 2025On season 23 he received a golden ticket and did not continue to Hollywood Week. He said he was struggling with his mental health.⁠[1][2][6]
  • 2026On season 24 he reached the top 14 and was eliminated with Jake Thistle during Songs of Faith.⁠[1][2]

Sources

6 sources

  1. Inside Julián Kalel’s journey from Stanford to American Idol — The Stanford Daily, published May 20, 2026. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (8)
    • Article: “Julián Kalel Almanzán”
    • Article: “golden ticket”
    • Article: “struggling with my mental health”
    • Article: “top 14”
    • Article: “National Alliance on Mental Illness”
    • Article: “Heartstrings”
    • Article: “bandmates from a group they call “leband” — Dext”
    • Article: “Lone Guitar”
  2. The Truth Behind Julián Kalel Leaving American Idol—and His Return — American Songwriter, published May 11, 2026. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (3)
    • Article: “never made it to Hollywood Week”
    • Article: “Songs of Faith”
    • Article: “Kalel and Jake Thistle were eliminated”
  3. iTunes album search: Julián Kalel — Apple. Release database. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (8)
    • Surrender: "releaseDate":"2024-08-23T07:00:00Z"
    • Lone Guitar: "releaseDate":"2025-09-01T07:00:00Z"
    • Surrender: "copyright":"℗ 2024 Blue Sky Music Group"
    • About You (Julian Kalel via Blue Sky Music Group): "collectionName":"About You - Single"
    • About You (Julian Kalel via Blue Sky Music Group): "releaseDate":"2024-11-01T07:00:00Z"
    • About You (Julian Kalel via Blue Sky Music Group): "copyright":"℗ 2024 Julian Kalel via Blue Sky Music Group"
    • Girl Without a Face: "copyright":"℗ 2026 Julian Kalel"
    • Tourniquet: "releaseDate":"2026-03-23T07:00:00Z"
  4. List of American Idol finalists — Wikipedia, updated June 10, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (1)
    • Contestants table, row Julián Kalel: Season 24, Place finish 13th-14th
  5. American Idol season 24 — Wikipedia, updated July 18, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (1)
    • Top 14 – Songs of Faith (March 30) section and table (Eliminated); Elimination chart, row Julián Kalel: Pl. 13 (shared), 3/30 column: “The eliminations were announced during the April 6 broadcast.”
  6. Julián Kalel makes triumphant return to American Idol — Music Mayhem, published February 2, 2026. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (2)
    • Article: “Surrender”
    • Date: “stepping away from the popular singing competition show in 2025”

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