A Peoria High School graduate is competing in one of the biggest competitions on television.
Born in Chicago, Victor Solomon grew up singing for his family and friends in church for most of his life in Peoria. He developed an early love for gospel music into a 2021 finalist spot on the singing competition "The Voice," and a career in the arts.
Now, he’s competing to be the next "American Idol."
“I just continued to perfect my craft, work on my craft and even start recording music and things like that,” said Solomon. “So, yeah, that’s how we got here.”
As Solomon describes it, the American Idol audition “fell into his lap.” He’s working to build a following by posting his music and performances on Instagram. A casting producer for American Idol saw his content and reached out.
“At first I was a little hesitant because I’m working on some music,” said Solomon. “I thought it’d be a good idea to continue to build a fan base and take my career to the next level.”
Solomon has taken several steps to build a career in the arts. In college at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, he had an opportunity to sing the song "Glory" by Common in front of musician John Legend. In 2022,, the 26-year-old made the leap and moved to California to pursue music full time.
“It’s been paying off pretty well. I’ve been able to travel,” said Solomon. “I’ve been able to work with some companies, some entertainment companies out here and go on tours and things of that nature. I also lead worship at my church now.”
The connection to church and gospel music fostered in Solomon’s childhood is still strong in his adult life. He said there’s really no other music that makes him feel the same way.
“It’s truly an amazing genre of music that I love to listen to,” Solomon said. “I love to listen to it to inspire me, to encourage me when I need it. Also to just be in God’s presence and I love singing it to share the message of Jesus Christ.”
Solomon did not bring a gospel song with him to the American Idol auditions, eventually settling on the song "Hello" by Lionel Richie. He said it was a big risk, but not being afraid of risk carried him through a long audition process.
It started with an online audition. Then a virtual audition in front of producers, then an audition in front of executive producers. It all culminated in performing in California in front of celebrity judges Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood in December.
While he obviously can’t reveal the results of that audition, Solomon said the preparation was intense.
“It’s a lot of prayer. It’s a lot of conversations with God for me,” he said. “Because I know that God is a source of my strength and he’s the reason why I even have this gift.”
Solomon said he also had to get in a mindset of standing out, of remaining in the judges' minds long after he was off the stage.
“How do I get that golden ticket?” he said. “That was my main thought process.”
If the entire experience has taught him anything, Solomon said, it’s that you have to take risks to pursue a career performing and making art. He said there’s “no handouts” when it comes to the industry.
“I was not going to just magically appear to be this artist and this superstar,” said Solomon. “There’s some work that needs to be put in and there’s some risks that have to be taken.”
Solomon’s audition at 7 p.m. Sunday, March 16 on ABC as part of season 23 of American Idol.
