KAYKO Biography
Samuel Kelly-Cohen (real name), professionally known as KAYKO, was born on June 14, 2000, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He is a singer-songwriter and music producer who is a contestant in American Idol season 22. KAYKO graduated from North Broward Preparatory School and later attended Berklee College of Music in Boston.
KAYKO Age | Birthday
Born on June 4, 2000, KAYKO is 23 years old as of April 2024. He celebrates his birthday on June 4th every year.
KAYKO Mom
KAYKO’s mother, Annie Kelly, passed away in 2019, and his music became a healing force. He wrote and dedicated his American Idol Top 24 original song, “HOW TO LIVE WITHOUT YOU”, to his late mother, whom he ventured to Hawaii with the last time he was there.
KAYKO Height
KAYKO stands at a height measurement of 5 feet and 10 inches (approximately).
KAYKO’s Biography Summary
- Full Name: Samuel Kelly-Cohen
- Birthdate: June 4, 2000
- Age: 23 years old
- Parents: Annie Kelly (mother)
- Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Ethnicity:
- Height: 5 feet and 10 inches (approximately)
- Education: Berklee College of Music in Boston
American Idol Journey
Audition
- Armed with his alt-pop sound, KAYKO sang his original song, “Time of Your Life,” during the audition. His impressive performance earned him a golden ticket to the next round.
Hollywood Week
- At the Idol Arena during Hollywood Week, the singer continued to impress.
- KAYKO’s heartfelt original song, “What If?”, made sure he advanced to the next round of the competition.
Showstopper Round
- KAYKO’s emotional performances resonated with viewers.
- He poured his heart into every note, using music as a lifeline to heal from grief and hardship. His rendition of “Gives You Hell” showcased his raw talent.
Top 24
- Mentor: KAYKO was mentored by the talented singer-songwriter Tori Kelly in Group 1.
- Performance: During the competition, KAYKO delivered an emotional and heartfelt performance of his original song, “How To Live Without You.”
- Results: His captivating performance resonated with viewers, and he received enough votes to be considered “safe” for another week.
Top 20
- Performance: KAYKO delivered an emotional and heartfelt performance of his original song, “Over You.”
- Results: His captivating performance resonated with viewers, and he received enough votes to place amongst the Top 10 in the results, making him a Top 14 finalist.
- Celebration Round: In celebration, he reprised his original song, “What If?”
How to Vote
Voting for KAYKO’s easy! You can vote online at AmericanIdol.com/vote, through the American Idol app, or via text. Simply text KAYKO’s contestant number to “21523” during the voting window. Remember, you can vote up to 30 times per week – 10 times on each platform.
- Online Voting: Visit AmericanIdol.com/vote and cast your vote for KAYKO. You’ll need to create an ABC account if you haven’t already.
- American Idol App: Download the official American Idol app from the App Store or Google Play. Create an account and sign in. Click “Go to Vote Now,” find KAYKO, and assign the number of votes you wish to cast.
- Text Voting: Text the number assigned to KAYKO (shown on screen during the episode) to “21523.”
KAYKO Before American Idol
- Origin: Originally from Fort Lauderdale, FL, and now living in Nashville, TN, KAYKO got his start with the band “Your Best Friend’s Favorite” Band, where he became known for his distinctive blue hair.
- Accidental Audition: He accompanied his friend Abby Blake to her Nashville audition to play the piano. However, after Abby’s audition, the judges—Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Katy Perry—asked if he was also a singer
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