Alan Ritchson, widely recognized for his role in “Reacher,” recently grabbed headlines due to an altercation with a neighbor. However, another moment from his past might also be noteworthy—his unforgettable audition on “American Idol,” which still circulates online.

Back in 2004, Ritchson, who is now 43, took a chance on the third season of the singing competition. At just 20 years old, he hadn’t yet ventured into acting but showcased undeniable charisma and charm, which caught the attention of judge Paula Abdul.

During his audition, Ritchson’s appeal was so powerful that judges Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell stepped aside, giving him the floor to serenade Abdul, then 42. He performed a bold rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “You Are the Sunshine of My Life,” captivating Abdul despite the song’s challenging notes.

Though his vocal abilities were not top-notch, Ritchson delivered his performance with enthusiasm, even playfully interacting with Abdul by sitting beside her and gently touching her face as he sang.

While his singing might not have impressed the judges vocally, his undeniable stage presence and determination earned him a pass through the initial audition phase.

Despite his singing voice not being there, the three judges rewarded the young and hungry entertainer by advancing him through the initial stage.

Reacher actor Alan Ritchson was famously involved in a bloody street brawl with a neighbor last week

But one thing he should be fighting is cringe footage from his American Idol auditioning still being on the Internet 

However, the wheels entirely fell off during his second audition as he belted out George Benson song On Broadway and once again tried to utilize his sex appeal by rubbing his body while singing completely off key.

The judges had a much different reaction to this performance as both Abdul and Cowell looked dismayed before cutting the audition off early.

As if the pitiful performance was not already enough, Ritchson hit new cringe levels as he suggested to the judges that they switch up the letters in American Idol to make it ‘Alan Idol.’

Thus the rising star did not make it to the next round as his journey ended by landing in the top 87. 

Fans on Reddit reacted to the performance on /r/todayilearned last year as one fan wrote: ‘well that was weird.’

Another user replied: ‘Shows how some people have been trying to get into show business since their childhood/adolescence.’ 

The old footage has once again been making the rounds a week after he was involved in a violent clash which erupted in the quiet Nashville suburb of Brentwood, Tennessee on March 22, with shocking footage appearing to show the actor pummeling Ronnie Taylor after being confronted over his roaring motorcycle.

Taylor is said to have stepped in front of Ritchson’s bike in a bid to stop him from allegedly speeding through the neighborhood – a move that sparked the violent confrontation.

The now 43-year-old muscular star auditioned for the singing reality competition show’s third season back in 2004

Ritchson was only 20-years-old at the time and had yet to successfully break into acting, but obviously had a natural charisma, charm, and overall hunkiness, which left judge Paula Abdul blushing

Fellow judges Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell left the judges table to allow the handsome young man to personally serenade Abdul, now 63, who was 21 years his singer, as he broke out into a tough-to-watch rendition of Stevie Wonder’s You are the Sunshine of my Life

However, the wheels entirely fell off during his second audition as he belted out George Benson song On Broadway

He once again tried to utilize his sex appeal by rubbing his body while singing completely off key

The judges had a much different reaction to this performance as both Abdul and Cowell looked dismayed before cutting the audition off early

As if the pitiful performance was not already enough, Ritchson hit new cringe levels as he suggested to the judges that they switch up the letters in American Idol to make it ‘Alan Idol’

The Brentwood Police Department later determined Ritchson acted in self-defense and closed the case without bringing any charges. 

 But the aftermath has since made a more sinister turn.

Taylor says he has been bombarded with a torrent of abuse and threats from furious fans, telling TMZ on Friday that he’s received more than 100 chilling messages – including one caller who allegedly said he ‘couldn’t wait’ to see him gasping for air through a tube.

Taylor said another caller – again from a blocked number – threatened to put him in a wheelchair.

As for the texts, he claims one message simply read, ‘Die, die, die.’

A second message, Taylor says, read, ‘I hope your wife divorces you and your kids never speak to you again and you die a horrible death.’

Speaking to TMZ, Taylor said he sought informal advice from a police officer, who told him to file a formal complaint if he felt genuinely threatened – but, for now, he has dismissed the abuse as trolling and has not gone to police.

The latest claims come after Taylor revealed he has no intention of taking legal action against Ritchson, insisting he never wanted to escalate the situation – a decision that follows police declining to press charges against the actor.

Fans on Reddit reacted to the performance on /r/todayilearned last year as one fan wrote: ‘well that was weird’

‘I was only interested in the safety of my neighborhood because he was racing through the neighborhood,’ Taylor, 56, said.

He also insisted there was no financial settlement between the pair, claiming he didn’t receive ‘a f***ing penny’ over the ordeal.

Taylor said he never even sought legal representation: ‘He’s a Hollywood superstar and I’m not. He’s got lawyers. I didn’t even lawyer up.’ 

He further claimed he only learned police had concluded Ritchson acted in self-defense after he had already decided not to pursue charges.

On Tuesday, police confirmed to the Daily Mail that no charges would be brought against Ritchson following Sunday’s dramatic altercation with neighbor Taylor.

Officers said the Hollywood star acted in self-defense when he struck Taylor and ordered him to stand down – a conclusion backed by newly surfaced bodycam footage filmed by the actor himself and later shared to TikTok.

The explosive video appears to show Taylor initiating the confrontation, allegedly shoving Ritchson off his green Kawasaki motorcycle after stepping into the street to block his path.

The footage offers a clearer picture of how the confrontation spiraled into violence.

The old footage has once again making the rounds a week after he was involved in a violent clash which erupted in the quiet Nashville suburb of Brentwood, Tennessee on March 22, with shocking footage appearing to show the actor pummeling Ronnie Taylor (pictured) after being confronted over his roaring motorcycle 

The Brentwood Police Department later determined Ritchson (pictured in New York back in February 2024) acted in self-defense and closed the case without bringing any charges

 Taylor has now been receiving death threats as a caller from a blocked number threatened to put him in a wheelchair

A visibly agitated Taylor is seen approaching Ritchson as he rode through the suburban street with his two young children nearby.

Taylor then leaves his property, crosses the sidewalk and strides into the road, positioning himself directly in the actor’s path.

At one point, he appears to plant himself in front of the bike in an aggressive, legs-apart stance – seemingly provoking the star, who then dismounts and approaches him.

In the heated exchange, Taylor is heard accusing Ritchson of riding ‘like a f***ing lunatic’, voicing fears for children in the neighborhood.

One filmmaker has shared a full-blown video parodying the fight that was made with AI (AI pictured)

Ritchson fires back, telling his neighbor he is out of his ‘f***ing mind’ and questioning whether he had been drinking.

The actor also says he should have ‘run him over’ as Taylor stepped into the road.

Moments later, Ritchson is seen lifting his motorcycle, climbing back on and repeatedly revving the engine — a move that appears to further enrage Taylor.

Taylor then pushes both the actor and the bike into the street twice.

That is when the situation turns physical, with Ritchson appearing to strike Taylor in the face multiple times before ordering him to stay down.