What Todrick Hall Had To Say About His Time On American Idol

From an eponymous MTV reality show to countless hits, there's no denying that Todrick Hall's career has reached impressive heights since his time on Season 9 of "American Idol." However, he famously didn't make it too far in the competition, narrowly missing the top 12 contestants (per Playbill). 

Perhaps one of the most memorable things about Hall's time on "American Idol" was Simon Cowell's lack of enthusiasm for the contestant. Granted, that's not exactly out of character for the famously straight-shooting judge. However, many fans were nonetheless taken aback by Cowell's comments that Hall was, "A Broadway singer ... I see you more as that than a recording artist" (via YouTube). In fact, in response to another clip of Cowell criticizing Hall for reworking Kelly Clarkson's "Since You've Been Gone," one fan quipped, "I respect his ability to not get mad at Simon because I don't think I would ever dream of having that much strength."

Sure enough, in more recent years, Hall himself has made it clear that he's not afraid to clap back at his detractors. Case in point: amid the drama that ensued after his stint on "Celebrity Big Brother 3," he took to Instagram to declare, "I have no desire to prove myself to people who were never rooting for me to begin with." So, with that in mind, just what has Hall said of his short-lived experience on "American Idol?" 

Todrick Hall might have taken Simon Cowell's criticisms on the show like a champ, but that's not to say he didn't voice his frustrations soon after his elimination. Far from it. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly shortly after his departure, he shared that he believed the way Cowell had shared his views had impacted the audience's perception of him. 

"If he [had] said, 'Todrick, you're like the male Lady Gaga, you're so over the top. You're so theatrical and there's no one else out there like that...,' then a lot of people would respond to that," Hall mused. However, as those who witnessed his journey on the show will remember, that's not how it went down. Hall also told the outlet that, when Cowell had compared him to a Broadway star, he wasn't doing so in a complimentary way, noting his "negative tone." And, given Cowell's influence, Hall explained that his elimination was inevitable. "I firmly believe that what Simon says ... really, really influences America," he pointed out at the time. 

That said, the criticisms were the spark Hall has since said he needed. "After I left 'American Idol,' that was the fire that was lit within me to say, 'I have to prove Simon wrong one day,'" he told Metro in 2020. And, funnily enough, they went on to work together on "The Greatest Dancer," with Hall as a judge and Cowell as producer. How's that for flipping the script?

Todrick Hall might not have won "American Idol," but, from the very start, he was committed to making the most of the platform it gave him. Per Billboard, in his time since, Hall has released several albums, had multiple viral music videos, judged episodes of "RuPaul's Drag Race," and also helped to choreograph for Beyoncé! 

In his 2010 exit interview from "American Idol" with Entertainment Weekly, Hall stated that, from the beginning, he'd seen the opportunity as a way to gain some recognition. "It's what you make of it," he acknowledged. Hall also noted that even among those who had gone further in the competition, there was no guarantee that they'd continue to hold the audience's interest, long-term. "A lot of the people who have been on 'American Idol' have, unfortunately, not been very successful after the show is over," he acknowledged. 

As such, he knew that "American Idol" was just the first step of many he'd take on the way to the top. Speaking to Billboard, he revealed that the experience reminded him to keep moving forward, even after successes. "Every time one of my videos go viral, I don't sit back and relax and wait for someone to start knocking on my door. I immediately start on my next project," he said. Early elimination or not, there's no denying that Todrick Hall has made the most of his platform — and boy, has it paid off!