Former 'Idol' contestant joins 'Thriller'

MEMPHIS, Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Former "American Idol" contestant Gedeon McKinney said he is "living the dream" touring Europe with a production of "Thriller Live."

The Memphis native said being chosen to join the touring production of Britain's version of the Broadway musical as an understudy was a major career opportunity, The (Memphis) Commercial Appeal reported Saturday.

"Now I'm living my dream," McKinney, 21, said.

"I had three call-backs. I sang 'Out of My Life,' 'Billie Jean' and 'Rock With You,'" he said of the Michael Jackson songs that helped earn him the understudy role that began in October.

McKinney, whose family was once homeless, said touring London in his free time has given him the feeling of truly experiencing the world.

"I even went to the queen's house (Buckingham Palace). I didn't meet her, but one day I will," the contestant from the fifth season of "Idol" told The Commercial Appeal.