'American Idol' contestant moves judges to tears with tribute to father Davis McClendon murdered in 2023

Freddie McClendon stuns American Idol judges with tribute to father, whose death gained national true crime attention.

Freddie McClendon, a 19-year-old contestant on American Idol, delivered one of the most emotional performances of season 23 with an original song dedicated to his late father, Davis McClendon. The performance, which aired during the fourth week of auditions, left all three judges visibly moved.

Davis McClendon was killed on 7 May 2023 in Greenwood, South Carolina. His body was discovered crushed between his own car and another vehicle in what was ruled an intentional act. The investigation led to the conviction of William “Bud” Ackerman Jr., the estranged husband of Meredith Haynie, who had been in a relationship with Davis at the time. The case gained national attention and was later featured on CBS’ 48 Hours, as well as multiple true crime podcasts and documentary series.

Freddie’s song, titled “You Never Loved Him,” aimed to shift the focus from how his father died to who he was in life. “Thank you for bringing that and for sharing your heart,” judge Carrie Underwood said through tears. Lionel Richie appeared speechless, and Luke Bryan praised McClendon’s “honest” delivery, calling him “a modern-day Paul Simon.”

The emotionally charged moment stood out in an episode that also featured Carnie Wilson’s daughter performing “Hold On” with a group and a brief return from former finalist Bo Bice. Still, it was McClendon’s tribute that provided the night’s most powerful storytelling.

The segment has sparked conversation online, with viewers praising McClendon’s courage and composure. As the competition continues, his performance is already being seen as a defining moment of the season.