Pataskala teen auditions for upcoming season of 'American Idol' in second bid for show

A Pataskala teen auditioned for the 23rd season of "American Idol" that begins airing in March, she announced on Instagram last month .

Cali Morris, 18, may appear in one of the season's early episodes, which usually feature contestants' auditions. In her post, Morris said she sang in front of judges Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, each of whom are well-known musical artists, during her audition.

The season's first episode premieres at 8 p.m. March 9 on ABC, the company announced in November . A special preview of the upcoming season will air after the Oscars on March 2.

This season's audition is not Morris' first on the show. At 15, Morris auditioned for the show's 20th season , though producers did not air her performance, she reported in another Instagram post .

The judges at the time — Katy Perry, Bryan and Richie — awarded Morris a golden ticket, moving her onto the show's first round. However, she tested positive for COVID-19 and could no longer participate. 

In 2022, Morris reported the show's casting team asked her to audition again for a following season, but she declined the offer in order to focus on her performance skills. She released her first single, "Pieces," that year.

In recent years, Morris has performed at various venues around central Ohio, including The Barn on York in Pataskala, while writing new songs, according to her website . She first began singing at 3 and later enrolled in voice and piano lessons while connecting with a Los Angeles-based producer.

Focusing on her musical career, Morris enrolled in Watkins Memorial's online program through Southwest Licking Digital Academy. 

"I feel like if I were to go back on (the show) I feel like I would feel a lot more comfortable," Morris said in 2022. "Ever since 'American Idol,' I've been performing more in public. I've been singing at restaurants or bars, so I feel a lot more comfortable and I feel like I've gotten out of my shell."

Advocate reporter Josué Perez can be reached at  jhperez@newarkadvocate.com .

This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Pataskala teen Cali Morris auditions for 'American Idol' for 2nd time