“Idol” fan favorite becomes star in controversial show

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Former “Idol” contestants Kree Harrison, Ace Young and Kellie Pickler returned to the show to perform together in 2016

former “American Idol” Heartthrob Ace Young has had a successful stage career on and off Broadway since coming in seventh place in Season 5. But in perhaps his most challenging role to date, Young has returned to New York for a show so controversial that its opening night has been canceled seven times in other countries.

Young Land’s Leading Role in Vatican Falls

Beginning October 27, 2022, Young will star in “Vatican Falls,” a controversial play about the decades-long Catholic abuse scandal based on factual accounts from survivors of abuse by priests and other church leaders. The play was written by award-winning playwright Frank J. Avella described by Broadway World as a “suspense thriller” in which a survivor plots revenge against “the rulers” who allowed countless children and young adults to be raped and tortured.

Vatican City will eventually premiere in a nearly month-long off-Broadway run at The Tank in New York City. The show has had seven attempted world premieres in four cities since 2011, most notably in Rome, Italy when producers had to to pull the plug because of death threats. Tickets are now available for limited engagement.

On September 29, Young a Photo in his Instagram Stories of herself in rehearsals with Carlotta Brenton, writing, “#carlottabrenton is not only a great actor but also an incredible visionary to co-direct alongside our fearless leader @fjaklute.”

Young has enjoyed success in theater for more than a decade, from Broadway roles in Hair and Grease to the nationwide tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Him and his wife, lad American Idol graduate Diana DeGarmoShe loves finding shows to perform on together, as they did in their most recent stage venture, starring in the world premiere of “Skates” Chicago.

Young has been recovering from a stage injury

July 4th, young posted an Instagram photo of himself in an airport wheelchair while wearing an orthopedic boot and revealed to fans that he sustained a serious injury just before the show ended.

He wrote: “Life update. I completely fractured the fifth metatarsal in my right foot during the penultimate skates show on the last day. I’m safely resting at home in Nashville now. Dear Chicago, I love you very much. Back soon.”

GettyAce Young and Diana DeGarmo in September 2022

On September 12, Young and DeGarmo were photographed at the 2022 American Theater Wing Gala in New York City. Though the boot was gone, Young carried a cane, signaling his foot is still healing.

Young and season three runner-up DeGarmo began dating in 2010 when they were both cast in the Broadway revival of Hair. Young coordinated a surprise proposal with “Idol” host Ryan Seacrest and got on one knee while the pair participate in the season 11 finale.

“I want this to last forever,” Young said of his bride-to-be, “and I will do everything in my power to have the most amazing life together imaginable.”

The two married in Los Angeles on June 1, 2013 and love to work together whenever possible. In 2022, they not only starred in Skates, but also teamed up for and filmed a Patsy Cline tribute show in New England Movie called “Colorado Christmas” which according to the manufacturer will be ready for release in October 2023, according to iMDb.