American Idol's Chris Medina Scores Christian Fans with Love Story
"American Idol" contestant Chris Medina has Christians raving about his sense of commitment when he shared his heartbreaking love story on Wednesday night's show.
Medina, 26, touched the hearts of judges and fans when he shared about his fiancée, Juliana, who is now confined to a wheelchair. Merely two months before the couple was to exchange wedding vows, Juliana got into an accident that left her with a traumatic brain injury. She was in a coma for a month and a half before waking up.
That was back in 2009. But two years later Medina is still by his fiancee's side. He and Juliana's mother are her caretakers.
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"Through thick and thin till death do us part, in sickness and health, for better or worse. What kind of guy would I be if I walked out when she needed me the most," said Medina in a pre-recorded video for "American Idol."
The Chicago native, who wears his wedding ring around his neck, fought back tears as he said they are still not married. They were engaged after six years of dating.
On Medina's official Facebook page, Christian supporters vowed to pray for the couple and thanked him for sharing his inspiring story. References to God were abundant in the messages posted on the page.
"Blessings, I was just reading this and can relate to a point. Just wanted to say that I'll be keeping you and your lovely Juliana in my prayers and that I think you're quite a man for sticking through the tough parts. There's always hope in Jesus," wrote a supporter identified as Loving Mind Expressions.
Another supporter, Peter Nickolas Flores, left the message: "What an appropriate name for you 'Chris,' short for Christian, I assume. Which means 'Christ Like.' You are surely showing in that to the world. Unconditional love and a great, great talent. God 'is' with you. What a wonderful example, you are. God bless you and your beautiful fiancée!!"
Nearly 9,000 people have "liked" Medina's official Facebook page.
On Wednesday's show, all three "American Idol" judges praised Medina's vocal ability and voted to invite him to Hollywood to continue the competition. Medina auditioned with the song "Breakeven" by The Script.
"If I were to make it to Hollywood, I feel like it would get her (Juliana) to be happy about something again," Medina said before auditioning in front of the judges. "I think I would have already won."
