American Idol viewers were first introduced to Munfarid Zaidi during the season premiere last month when he was memorably picked up and cradled like a baby by judge Harry Connick, Jr. at the conclusion of his successful audition. Zaidi would also be prominently featured in last week’s “Hollywood Week” episode, where he sang the Ike and Tina classic “Proud Mary.”
So many viewers were surprised when there was no trace of the 19-year-old University of Texas student during either of this week’s two episodes, leaving viewers to assume that he was eliminated. It was a strange way to treat a contestant who was marked as an audience favorite early on.
I wasn’t the only one who was confused and/or annoyed:
@AmericanIdol what happened to Munfarid Zaidi. How can you not even acknowledge that he is not here.
— Sheri Jarrett (@nursejarrett) February 14, 2014
https://twitter.com/MattAlgren/status/434179948438245376
@AmericanIdol what happened to munfarid zaidi????
— Joanne Millner (@JoanneMillner) February 14, 2014
Where is munfarid zaidi. Want on #Americanidol final judging
— Faye Smith (@faceeg78) February 14, 2014
I love you Munfarid Zaidi. Can't believe he didn't make it. </3 </3 </3
— Ramona Datu (@ramonanaa) February 13, 2014
Munfarid, if you are reading, email us! We’d love to hear the full story.
Follow Lakshmi Gandhi on Twitter @LakshmiGandhi and follow The Aerogram at @theaerogram or on Facebook. Email The Aerogram at editors@theaerogram.com.
