'American Idol' favorite Kenedi Anderson reveals that she's dropping out of competition for 'personal reasons'

• Kenedi Anderson revealed that she will no longer be competing on "American Idol."
• In an Instagram post, Anderson wrote that she's leaving the competition for "personal reasons."

Kenedi Anderson, a frontrunner on "American Idol," is leaving the competition.

The 17-year-old singer revealed through an Instagram post on Monday that she would no longer be competing in the 20th season of the singing competition.

"For personal reasons, I'm unable to continue on 'American Idol,'" she wrote on Instagram. "This has been one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make, but I know it's necessary. I'm so grateful to 'American Idol,' the judges, the producers, the amazing contestants, and all the fans who have supported me."

Anderson first grabbed the attention of the judges — Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Katy Perry — when she performed a piano cover of Lady Gaga's "Applause" during auditions that aired last month.

"I mean, my head is spinning," Bryan said of Anderson's audition.

"I'm threatened! They're younger, they're prettier, they sing really good!" Perry added.

The performance earned her a "yes" from all three judges to move to the next round in the singing competition.

Anderson earned one of three three platinum tickets created for the show's 20th season, which advanced her past a round of auditions, after performing a rendition of "Human" by Christina Perri.

During an announcement on Monday's episode, host Ryan Seacrest also revealed Anderson's decision.

"You might have noticed that there was no voting information during Kenedi's performance just now," Seacrest said. "Since we taped these shows in Hawaii earlier, Kenedi has decided to withdraw from our show for personal reasons. We send her well wishes."

In a statement to Us Weekly, "American Idol" producer Fremantle Media said that the show was "disappointed to see Kenedi leave."

Insider reached out to reps for "Idol," but didn't immediately hear back.

"American Idol" airs Sundays and Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.