Colwell, Perry, Witriol first finalists selected for 2026 Gila Idol

SAFFORD — Gila Idol returned for 2026 with a pair of veterans returning to the finals.

Sam Colwell, Scarlett Witriol and Kaydence Perry were selected by the judges to advance to the Gila Idol finals following their performances at the first preliminary at Valley Furniture and Appliance on Thursday.

Colwell, who sang “Bored,” said she plans to surprise the audience and the judges when she makes her third finals appearance.

“One of the things that I have the most fun with when I’m singing is confusing people,” Colwell said. “I walk up on stage and they’re not expecting me to sound the way that I do. Then I sing and they’re like, ‘Wow!’”

Witriol is also making her third finals appearance. She sang “In the Kitchen” to earn her spot.

“I feel like if you find a song right in that middle comfort zone, that as long as you feel you can expand it and you can have some fun with it, you’re going to pretty far,” Witriol said.

Perry, who sang “The Climb,” said she hadn’t made up her mind whether to actually participate before fate stepped in and made the decision for her.

“Honestly, I was filling out the information for fun, and then I actually clicked submit,” Perry said. “And then I was like,’ You should roll with it.’”

All three will perform at the Gila Idol Finals on March 26 at the David M. Player Center for the Arts.

Two others will have a chance to make the finals, after the judges selected them to take part in call-back night March 12. They are Cherish Lazarus, who sang “Dreams,” and Jesus Romero, who sang “Volver Volver.”

The judges also selected one alternate, Mariah Tuerr, who sang “Bring Me to Life.” An alternate will be selected at each preliminary and, in the week before the finals, the public will vote on the performances on GilaValleyCentral.net. The top vote-getter will become a finalist.

Judges were 2008 Gila Idol winner Adam Crohn, 2017 winner Darryn Kamae and 2025 winner Timothy Fox, who opened the evening with a performance of “Dancing on My Own.” In addition, 2018 winner Pete McCormick performed “If I Never Stop Loving You” during the judges’ deliberation.

All of Thursday’s performances can be viewed on the Gila Idol 2026 page at Gila Valley Central.

The next preliminary will take place Thursday, Feb. 5, at 6:30 p.m. at The Venue on Main in Safford. Admission is free.

Registrations to take part in Gila Idol are still being accepted. Click here to register.

Sponsors for 2026 Gila Idol include Valley Telecom Group; Richard’s Music Co.; Trophies ‘N Tees; Freeport-McMoRan; Valley Furniture and Appliance; the Graham County Chamber of Commerce; OneAZ Credit Union; The Venue and Vignette on Main; Keyhole Properties; Pepsi; Tyson Richins-Edward Jones Investments; Apache Gold Casino; Mack’s Napa Auto Parts; Valley Vision; and the Double R Communications family of radio stations, Kat Kountry 94.5 FM, Sunny 102.3 FM and KATO 1230 AM.

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