DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (RNS) When “American Idol” needed a spiritual adviser for its contestants this season, the show turned to an unexpected place: NASCAR.
Billy Mauldin, president and CEO of the Motor Racing Outreach ministry, was brought in to help Idol hopefuls manage the ups and downs of competition — much like he’s been doing for NASCAR drivers since 1999.
Along with wife Julie, Mauldin has been on hand in Los Angeles to be a resource if contestants want someone to talk with them during a critical point in the competition. This week, a series of three live shows that begin tonight will whittle the field from 31 singers to the final 13.
“The expectations here are the same for what we do for NASCAR: To be there for the people, be present, help with the spiritual side of life and some of the struggles they may deal with as they’re going through the competition,” Mauldin told USA TODAY Sports.
The idea was the brainchild of David Hill, the former Fox Sports chairman who was tapped to oversee an Idol overhaul this year in the face of a ratings decline. Hill had been watching tapes of past seasons when it struck him how many contestants grew up in a faith-based environment and began singing in church.
“I thought to myself, ‘Wow, it must be really tough to go to this intense competition — and this show does change lives — and if you’re used to being in a church-based organization, that would be a huge adjustment,” Hill said. “Especially for kids who are 16, 17, 18 years old and away from home for the first time.”
Hill wanted to find someone who contestants could sit and talk to, but also someone who understood competition because “this is the biggest talent show in the world.”
Then it hit him: Through his experience working with NASCAR, he’d seen Mauldin in action.
“I couldn’t think of anyone better to advise these kids than Billy,” Hill said. “In my mind, NASCAR is the most intense athletic competition in the country because if you make a mistake, you’re risking serious injury and death.”
The stakes might not be as high in Idol, but it might feel that way at times for the contestants.
Mauldin and his family were driving home to Charlotte from the beach in June when Hill called and pitched the idea. He then brought the Mauldins to Idol’s boot camp in Palos Verdes, Calif., earlier this month. The hopefuls met former Idol stars Adam Lambert and Chris Daughtry, who talked to them about song choice and how to perform on stage, and also were introduced to the Mauldins.
“I told the contestants that Billy and Julie were people who understand competition and would be available to talk,” Hill said. “The response was incredible. A large percentage made appointments to sit down to talk to him — and not only the contestants, but even some of the producers. It is working beyond my wildest dreams.”
NASCAR driver Michael McDowell said Mauldin would be the “perfect person” to help Idol contestants deal with the roller coaster of emotions that come with any competition — whether it’s a talent show or NASCAR race.
“He treats everybody exactly the same,” McDowell said. “He’s there to lean on and support you if you need it, but he’s not a fan.”
Mauldin, who will split time between Idol’s live shows and NASCAR’s traveling circus (he’ll be back in Florida for Sunday’s Daytona 500), said the singers are much like the young drivers who reach NASCAR’s top level for the first time.
Hill said he understands not all the contestants are of the Christian faith. Mauldin is not there to proselytize, he said, and someone will be made available to contestants of different religions if they so desire.
More than anything, Hill added, Mauldin is there for comfort.
“As a dad, if my daughter was 17 and she was living in Los Angeles for the next three months and performing in front of 15 million people who were watching every move she makes, I’d want to surround her with as much soul protection as I possibly could,” he said. “You want them to be able to give the best of themselves.”
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.