Pataskala teen to release first single after 'American Idol' experience

Molly Wilson
Correspondent

After an "American Idol" audition and years of voice lessons, Cali Morris is set to release her first single with hopes to break into the music industry. 

Morris, a 16-year-old resident of Pataskala, Ohio, will be performing her first single “Pieces” at The Barn on York, 5103 York Road, on Aug. 12. 

Morris began singing around her childhood home when she was only three-years-old, she said. However, unlike most young girls who enjoy singing in their bedrooms, Morris was determined to make singing a profession. 

When Morris was in fifth grade, she performed a song for her mom in her bedroom — a moment that made singing less of a hobby and more of a career. Shortly after, Morris was enrolled in voice lessons, piano lessons and connected with a Los Angeles-based producer. 

Cali Morris, 16 of Pataskala, is set to release her first single “Pieces” at The Barn on York, 5103 York Road, on Aug. 12.

To focus more on her career, Morris decided to enroll in online school through Watkins Memorial’s online program Southwest Licking Digital Academy. 

“Through the years I kept on singing. I would literally walk around and be like ‘I'm gonna be a singer one day,’” she said. 

When she was 15-years-old, Morris auditioned for the 20th season of "American Idol," which aired on ABC in February. 

Morris impressed the three judges — Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie — enough to receive a unanimous vote to make it onto the show. However, Morris tested positive for COVID-19 and was unable to complete any further rounds of the competition, ending her journey on the show. 

“I feel like if I were to go back on I feel like I would feel a lot more comfortable,” Morris said. “Ever since 'American Idol,' I've been performing more in public. I've been singing at restaurants or bars, so I feel a lot more comfortable and I feel like I've gotten out of my shell.” 

Morris was asked to participate in the upcoming season of "American Idol" by its casting team, she said. However she turned down the opportunity to work more on her performance skills, though she plans to audition in a few years. 

Now 16, Morris is preparing to release her first single, which she spent around a month writing alongside her producer Colin Boyd. To record the song, Morris and her mom flew Boyd into Pataskala for a five-day recording process. 

“During the time I was going through a breakup and it's really best to write a song sometimes when you're going through things,” Morris said. “That's the best part, when you can write a really good song and perform if you're going through something.”

Her song "Pieces" will be available on all major streaming platforms on Aug. 12.