OCALA, FL (352today.com) – It’s safe to say the last few months have been an absolute rollercoaster for Ocala singer Emery Robbins.
The 18-year-old saw himself in the headlights of stardom after securing a golden ticket to Hollywood following a successful American Idol audition in the Music City. This achievement is almost unbelievable when you learn the first time the Ocala native picked up a guitar, learned some chords and sang was a mere three years ago.
What’s even more impressive is his longevity in the singing competition. Thousands auditioned for American Idol, and Robbins ended up in the remaining pool of 56 during Hollywood Week.
Throughout the competition, Robbins was showered with praise from celebrity judges like Katy Perry, who after an audition gave Robbins a standing ovation and claimed that he was “born to do something like this.”
While Robbins was cut from the competition and his performance didn’t make the show’s final edits, he leaves American Idol with his chin up and head held high.
“It’s been phenomenal to walk this journey and not know a ton about it,” said Robbins. “It’s been stressful and confusing, but at the end of the day, with God, it was made a lot easier. Things were right with my heart. Things were right with my mind.”
When reflecting on his time on the show, Robbins said he is “super grateful” for the experience American Idol gave him. From his family witnessing his performance of Neon Moon by Brooks & Dunn on the showstopper round to experiencing Hollywood for three weeks, Robbins said he saw life through a much different lens.
“Hollywood is not Ocala. That’s show business, and I’ve learned that these past few months,” said Robbins. “At the end of the day, I’m not Hollywood. I’m not what they’re looking for. I wasn’t going to do the things that they wanted me to do and say the things they wanted me to say.” Robbins believes this is a big factor as to why his auditions were never aired on television.
Regular viewers of the reality show are used to seeing contestants collapse under stress. Robbins says that’s not TV drama. He admits it’s anxiety inducing.
“For the first round, you would sit in an audience with everyone else competing and they would just call your name out. They would bring you a guitar and a microphone,” said Robbins. “You’d say what you wanted to sing. Sing it. Then you had to wait until everybody else went.”
Robbins said he was one of the last people called up and the waiting was the hardest part.
“I had to watch all my friends go before I even had a chance to. That was intimidating because they’re phenomenal, and like I said, I didn’t have a lot of confidence going into the audition.”
When it was all said and done, however, Robbins was pleased with his performances in Hollywood. He sang an acoustic version of You Look So Good in Love by George Strait in the initial round of Hollywood Week and Neon Moon for the showstopper round. He says both received positive reactions from the panel of judges.
Robbins said with every passing day, his relationship with his religion grew stronger and that’s his biggest success from the competition.
“Even in the most stressful situations, even in the most unpredictable situations, I have found that God is more faithful than he has ever been,” said Robbins.
Robbins also came away with lasting friendships. He said he built bonds in Nashville which then carried over to Hollywood. Robbins’ roommate was Will Moseley who has made Idol’s top 24. He’s also staying in touch with competitors Jack Blocker and Blake Proehl who he grew close to while away from home.
“We’re all put together in this space. We’re all like-minded and we’re all very similar,” said Robbins. “You spend multiple nights in a hotel room and multiple hours filming with them trying to figure out what they’re going to do. You ride this magical journey with them, and you just become a better person because of it.”
Robbins hopes the people who have supported him continue to watch the competition unfold regardless of his absence from the show.
“Everyone in the top 24 are outstanding people and they deserve it,” said Robbins.
Can we expect to see Robbins on Idol in the future?
“This has been a great experience that has given me a lot of confidence in who I am as a musician. But this is something that I don’t see myself doing again,” confesses Robbins. “It’s not because I didn’t enjoy it or because it wasn’t fun. I just think God has a different plan. I think if there are other ways that I can honor Him and honor music, then I’m going to try different things.”
Robbins is working on original music and continues to perform with his church band at Church @ The Springs in Ocala every weekend, including a performance on Easter Sunday.
Robbins and his mentor, Matt Overfelt, are putting together a worship night for young people called “Citywide.” It will take place on Sunday, April 28, at the YMCA. Robbins says he’ll perform along with musicians from several Ocala-area churches for a full evening of worship and music. Last year, the event attracted about 1,500 middle, high school and college-aged faithful. Robbins is hoping for a similar turnout this year.
Robbins says he was overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and community support during his Idol journey.
“Thanks to Ocala. You guys have been awesome, and I couldn’t have asked for a better community to support me. Thank you for the support, the love and the prayers. I can’t wait to make you guys proud again sometime soon.”