Top 5 ‘American Idol’ Contestant, Caleb Kennedy, Leaves Show After “White Hood” Video Surfaces On Social Media

A person talking on a cell phone

Welp, that’ll be the end of that.

American Idol hopeful Caleb Kennedy, the country rocker who’s performed everything from Chris Stapleton to Willie Nelson on the show, is officially leaving after a rather inexcusable video surfaced on social media.

The video, which 16-year-old Kennedy says is from when he was younger, shows Kennedy alongside one of his buddies, who is wearing a white Ku Klux Klan hood. Whether it’s a legitimate KKK hood or not makes no difference, it looks just like one.

The caption reads: “Bow,” followed by “oh my.”

READ NEXT: More from American Idol

Kennedy has since addressed the situation.

He released the following statement regarding his departure:

“Hey y’all, this is gonna be a bit of a surprise, but I am no longer gonna be on American Idol,.

There was a video that surfaced on the internet and it displayed actions that were not meant to be taken in that way. I was younger and did not think about the actions, but that’s not an excuse.

I wanna say sorry to all my fans and everyone who I have let down. I’ll be taking a little time off social media to better myself, but saying that, I know this has hurt and disappointed a lot of people and made people lose respect for me.

I’m so sorry! I pray that I can one day regain your trust in who I am and have your respect! Thank you for supporting me.”

Kennedy was a Top 5 contestant, so according to TMZ, the upcoming episode Sunday will feature the remaining Top 4 with only one contestant getting eliminated to round out the Top 3.

He debuted a new original titled “Mama Said” on the most recent episode of the show, a song that Lionel Richie said he should record right away.

Doesn’t look like that’ll happen any time soon…

And, he wouldn’t be the first country singer on American Idol this season to land in some hot water…

‘American Idol’ Contestant Cecil Ray Arrested For Breaking Into Home Of Ex-Girlfriend, Striking Her In The Face

According to TMZ, American Idol contestant Cecil Ray Baker was arrested after he broke into the home of his ex-girlfriend and hit her in the face when she refused to let him see the child “he believes is his.”

@atx.mer

People aren’t who they always seem to be on TV. Im tired of always being silenced. You even denied my daughter being yours #cheater #americanidol #fyp

♬ rihannas audio – MHMMMM

He had previously dedicated his audition performance on the show to his daughter who was two months old at the time:

He also dedicated a follow-up performance of Tyler Childers’ “Shake The Frost” to her as well.

A beer bottle on a dock

STAY ENTERTAINED

A RIFF ON WHAT COUNTRY IS REALLY ABOUT

A beer bottle on a dock