Long Islander on 'American Idol' Now

HAMPTON BAYS, NY — Hampton Bays residents will be cheering along with their TVs Monday night as a hometown boy takes the stage on "American Idol" to see if he'll get the golden ticket and be headed to Hollywood. American Idol airs on ABC at 8 p.m.

Christiaan Patrick Padavan, 20, is a 2017 graduate of Hampton Bays High School. And ever since he was a child, music has been what he's been called to do.

"I’ve been interested in music ever since I can remember," Padavan said. "My parents used to check on me in the backseat of the car before I could talk and I’d respond to them by humming. I learned how to sing 'Born to be Wild' when I was like, 3 years old. I went to a Catholic school where every Christmas, every student was required to be in the show. I was handed my first solo, the crowd went wild and I’ve been hooked ever since — performing in junior theater shows, taking vocal lessons, and auditioning for any show I could. "

Some of his greatest musical influences, Padavan said, come from Frank Sinatra, Billy Joel, The Beach Boys, The Beatles and many more.

One of Padavan's greatest accomplishments so far has been winning Dunkin’ and iHeartRadio’s 2018 “Cold Brew Jams” contest, "where a couple buds and I won $10,000 studio time. Another accomplishment was playing a private VIP party for Dunkin’s promotion with NY Giant Saquon Barkley."

In the future, Padavan said he plans to work for iHeartRadio or a record label as he continues making his own music and performing in shows.

"Hopefully someone will catch notice of the name 'Christiaan Padavan,'" he said.

But no how far from the East End his talent takes him, Padavan said he will always thank Hampton Bays High School for his beginning.

"Hampton Bays High School gave me a strong foundation for pursuing my dreams because they were always supportive of my gift," he said. "From singing in show choir to winning a Teeny Award for 'Best Actor in a Musical' my senior year — they always pushed me to be the best I could be."

Reflecting on the "Idol" experience, Padavan said he auditioned in Manhattan and sang "Vienna" by Billy Joel. "Meeting the judges didn’t feel real the entire time. I was a little nervous going in but once you go in, you truly see that they’re regular people just like you and I," he said.

Padavan is not the only contestant with East End roots slated to appear on Monday night's episode of "American Idol." Jackson Gillies, 19, who spent a good deal of his childhood on the North Fork, will also be singing for the judges.

On Monday night, Padavan will be watching the show from the Knights of Columbus Hall in Hampton Bays with friends and family. "My entire town has been so supportive of me and I can’t be thankful enough," he said.

Photos: AMERICAN IDOL - Coverage. (ABC/Nicole Rivelli), CHRISTIAAN PADAVAN, © 2019 American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.