Wyatt Pike is finally talking about his shocking surprise release of “American Idol” – and he’s towing the party line.
Frustrated fans of the self-proclaimed “20-year-old Utah boy” shouldn’t expect too much relief from his first official statement.
“I had to leave the @AmericanIdol competition for personal reasons, but I’m very grateful to play music for the rest of my life,” Pike posted on Instagram on Wednesday. “Competing contestants: miss them all, good luck!”
This inaccurate announcement was made to The Post earlier this week by representatives of the series, when Pike quit smoking just before the top 12 was announced.
“Wyatt could not continue for personal reasons and we can not comment further,” was the official word on Tuesday.
However, Pike representatives declined to comment, as rumors on social media said it broke COVID-19’s restrictions on flying home and spread like wildfire.
The mysterious exit came after the young performer’s moment of pause: on Sunday’s pre-recorded show, Pike surprised the judges ’panel with his confident rendition of Kings of Leon’s 2008 hit“ Use Somebody ”.
“Before I get to the results, I have to tell you that finalist Wyatt Pike will not be competing in the competition,” presenter Ryan Seacrest, 46, the first live show of the season, announced without ceremony. “He had to give up, but we wish him the best, okay?”
After Pike’s final performance, Judge Lionel Richie, 71, predicted the young singer was heading for “something big.” Meanwhile, Katy Perry, 36, went so far as to proclaim that Pike was “a true singer-writer. I think whatever happens, it already is. “
Finally, Luke Bryan, who came out Monday due to a positive test of COVID-19, with Paula Abdul, judge of OG “AI”, made what now seems a somewhat prescient statement.
“I remember one of the funniest things that happened to me was the day I realized I could make music forever, under any circumstances,” Bryan, 44, told Pike. “I’m telling you, Wyatt, you can make music for the rest of your life.”
It looks like Pike has taken Bryan’s words into account.
And he offered a teaser of hope for his passionate fan base in his most recent Insta post: “Thank you all for your support … don’t stop having musical stuff soon!”.