The singing competition "American Idol" can be pretty intense, but Nathan O'Neal, a worship pastor at Fuel in Lakeland, is breezing by it because he is doing what he loves - honoring God through music.
"My favorite thing about music is that it makes people feel things and it takes them places," O'Neal told ABC Action News. "You can hear a song and it will take you back to a memory from 10 years before."
O'Neal has been in love with music since he was three years old. He is serving God in church by making joyful noise, but this year, he decided to try something different by joining "American Idol." "The American Idol journey has been a whirlwind. [It's] exciting, scary, nervous, just awesome and all around a lot of fun," he said.
His audition was certainly unique, as he simply uploaded his audition video for the producers to see online. They liked what they saw and heard because he got the call to perform in front of the celebrity judges, Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. "I actually was not that nervous when I got in front of the judges. I was more nervous when I got in front of the producers," he recalled.
O'Neal, who draws inspiration from singers such as Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran and Christian music artist, John Mark McMillan, is really excited for what's in store for him in the "American Idol" competition. But no matter what happens, O'Neal made a commitment to stay true to his roots.
"I'm doing exactly what I love... so my perfect world? I would still be here in five years leading worship here at Fuel," he said.
O'Neal will be one of five Tampa Bay contestants in Hollywood, and he is now one step closer to becoming the next winner of American Idol.
