This is just a reminder that everything we put into the world affects other people. Even if it’s honest. Also, CJ got PR game.

What a great Attitude by CJ!

honestly, I think your feedback comes from a very authentic, generous, and a place of empathy.... I also think you're very kind. also stands out to me is the maturity that CJ has. Well done for both of you.

He's got a great attitude and is more than "just" a songwriter. His voice is better than Bob Dylan, for sure.

Wow, so meta, but so many layers of real in one space... if a picture is worth a thousand words, this is a video to the fourth power... and the answer is love of art and respect. Awesome. Lol

I thought he had something different prepared for his audition but was forced to sing the song he had just written by the judges. Was waiting to hear what he was going to sing.

This was great! I admire you for doing this. You're owning your Critique. CJ Handled it so well. We've seen the judges and the producers put people through who never stood a chance, because of their great personality or their story. It makes for fun TV. I think CJ is right and it all comes down to song choice and performances even when put up against fantastic singers. Since America chooses in the end, it's all about who we decide has the "it" factor.

Ah, considering he sang something extemporaneously as well.... it was amazing. I would definitely love to hear more.of his music. He also has a.greater unifying message just for being himself. Lionel got this.

You guys are both amazing humans! Give me so much hope for our future generations! American idol does that for me every season! 💥

AI presented well, but now I know what a sweet, genuine person he is and I like him even more! All the best to you CJ!!!

I think this is my favorite video I've ever seen of yours.... heartfelt:) (& and yeah, he's even more likable now:)

His personality reminds me so much of my oldest son. He seems like he’s so much fun. My son has a depth that is indescribable. I bet CJ does too.

Honestly this makes hold onto hope that we’ll get to vote for CJ soon 🤞 Well played sir.

It’s all good. Love CJ…he’s a winner no matter what. And good for you, Clark, for responding. What a tough business…mrs greg

I love that you did this, Clark and owned up to how uneasy it feels once we see how it affects someone to be critiqued. Not that I didn't see your point and actually think the same thing about being lost among so many big singers. However, I agree....with both of you here...."we'll see." Idol is fun...you just never know what curveball might come. Either way CJ seems like a cool guy, and if he's mainly a songwriter, then I wish him much success with that. That's a great skill to have...I hope his experience on Idol brings him some attention for whatever are his talents. He was happy you called him an "above average piano player" too. :)

I think Megan Danielle was a prime example of someone who was WAY better in Hollywood week than their first audition.

Now this is feedback -renovating, readjusting our media language. Advance! With love in your heart as you are playing a significant role in this evolving/making of a new media format.

Watch him win it all, Clark! Wouldn’t that be something? Maybe your critique lit a fire under his arse to win! 🔥🤩😎🤓

He seems like a genuine sweetie 🥰

“Well the astronaut and the rock star were just kids like us one day. They only got where they are because they had each other from a million miles away.” I love his song! I related so much to his lyrics! He is a storyteller. And I actually love his voice and his delivery. Gave me Billy Joel vibes. I think he could go far in this competition. Sometimes it is how someone connects, not whether they are the best singer on the show.

CJ is a rare and magical creature. Like the fireflies children chase through the darkness hoping to get another glimpse of their light…

I think your critique was fair. I’m always tempted to say that it’s subjective and it’s your opinion …. But it is more than that. You do have training and a lot of experience and you know what you’re hearing. So your critique of his singing voice isn’t subjective, it’s fair. BUT we have also seen that very average singers can become phenomenal performers who connect with and move audiences and at the end of the day you can have the best technical voice but if you can’t move the listener or connect with them, you’re not going to get very far. Much respect for you doing this, Clark. Kudos to CJ as well. I think he’ll take the critique on board and work on the vocal technique. He seems like someone who is always looking to grow as an artist. Great attitude. I look forward to seeing how he gets on.

I would love it if contestants did more of these (reaction to your reaction videos).

Reaction Inception!

You did a good job, Clark. He knows he needs to put in some more work thanks to your honest feedback.

He was pretty cool 😎 I like him. I hope he does well 👍

I would love to see you do some worship sessions. I think it is important as Christians to spread te gospel any way we can, and given your platform and talent it would be really cool!

Awww this was so sweet

This was awesome.

Clark I bet this was awkward. C J you have a great personality. This was fun. Greetings from South Africa

Its the Inception of reactions.

I love CJ

I really like CJ . There is much more to a great artist than having the best set of pipes. Character, inspiration, creative imagination, and talent go a long way's. I think CJ is going to surprise you. l remember you didn't think Iam Tongi would win either . Beckham I think the technical musician in you makes you overlook other attributes. I hope CJ proves you wrong. He's got my vote.

His voice is fine and even has great moments but like he said he's a song writer and a dang good one at that! If he can pull out some really touching, great originals that capture people's hearts he will go far.

I think the average singer comment only works if you're comparing him to a certain style of singer. Where you expect certain vocal abilities and such. However, if you're just focused on tone, clarity and more broad stuff like "is this a nice sound that seems authentic", I think he then would be above average. That at least is my opinion. Being able to do vocal technicalities can be cool, but for many people's preferences, it's not really necessary or even desirable.

CJ is awesome and he will make a run in my opinion

All you gotta do is check out. His stuff on youtube and you're gonna be like wow!

The thing about is ... from what little I've seen, he's got songwriting brilliance. That COULD translate into a phenomenal career (although it probably would have worked better 50 years ago than today). But you're probably right that specifically for American Idol, he may not have the sort of charisma that generally wins on this particular popularity contest. Let's face it: modern popular music is (widely although not universally) bad, and very image-driven rather than song-driven. But that doesn't mean that great singer-songwriters can't carve out their own niche and just ignore all that crap.

You don't have to do it. CJ is walking the living word without (maybe) even realizing it, as opposed to so many posers. He is living an authentic life.

its the biz, you get known, you might get critcism, its a process of deciding if you want to just shut that all down, or listen to a little here and there. I would say your critiques are never mean, and always well intentioned and labeled as your opinion and not absolute, so if any AI contestant wants to get feedback vs scrolling trolling youtube comments, you're a good guy to see if they want to open that pandoras box.

Scew top 24. We'll get him to top 10. Watch Clark. Watch.

idk i like him! i would like to think top24

To be fair, many Idol winners are average singers and have been winning over much superior singers.

Average seems okay, it gets a bad rap, like ordinary does.

Hmmm though, where is he??? doesn't look like he is on his bus...maybe that was all a gimmick?

The world is doomed when you have clowns doing reacts to someone reacting to me videos, I predicted this 2 years ago and am so saddened for humanity that it has come to this, we are all going to hell in a hand basket

Surprised you said “AF”.