AMERICAN Idol star Colin Stough has given a shout-out to his fans after being slammed for smoking.
The 18-year-old came under fire after he was caught with a cigar and seemingly riding a motorcycle late at night earlier this week.
But Colin put the controversy aside on Tuesday as he interacted with fans at a music store in New York City.
The teen visited the store to check out some guitars after his performance on Live with Kelly and Mark.
The Idol finalist shared a video of himself posing with a fan and a guitar at the store on his Instagram Story on Tuesday.
He captioned it: "Man, thanks for the love today!
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"I was just popping by to check out some guitars and get some guitar parts and I left with a new friend and some amazing new gear."
The country singer added: "Y'all blow my mind with all this love and support! Thank you so much."
Just hours earlier, Colin was slammed for sharing a photo of himself holding a cigar while hanging out with fellow musician, Chase Matthew.
Colin and Chase, who held a can of beer in one hand, posed in front of a log fire they'd made outdoors.
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The teenager also posted a second video of someone on a motorcycle, speeding down a road with the front wheel raised off the ground.
The person filming the clip also appeared to be riding a motorcycle.
Colin captioned the post: "You can take the boys outta the country but you can’t take the country outta the boys."
FAN CONCERN
Fans flooded the comments with their shock over Colin smoking and begged the teenager to stay out of trouble.
One commented: "Ok.. all your new fans you worked so hard to acquire & now you’re on verge of great career & you do foolish things like this!
"PLEASE show your fans more respect & use good sense. The Lord gave you this talent & opportunity don’t blow it."
Another added: "Dude keep it safe … Keep it legal we all want you to turn into an Eagle.
"You have a long career of beautiful music ahead of you young man!! Lots of young people are watching."
A third posted: "Oh Colin, no one, especially me, needs to judge; but, please don't smoke and ruin that amazing voice box of yours!
"Enjoy life to its fullest; but, be safe doing it I want to see you grow."
Yet another user urged: "Stay humble and outta trouble, plenty of good stuff to come, get your career on track, you have a lifetime of good times ahead, take it slow my friend!"
Colin has gained a strong following since appearing on American Idol.
The teenage singer lost to Iam Tongi and Megan Danielle in the Season 21 finale.
TRUE WINNER
Fans have been defending Colin, claiming he's the true winner of American Idol since the show came to an end.
American Idol shared a behind-the-scenes photo of Colin alongside mentor Keith Urban and judge Luke Bryan.
Several fans in the comments insisted that Colin should have won, claiming the show is rigged.
One said: " I don't know what happened with this young man, but this show is supposed to be on vocal talent.
Another added: "Colin was robbed! This year is another case of sympathy really."
Iam spoke about the rigging claims in an interview with The Daily Mail.
He said: "A lot of people are like, 'Colin Stough was robbed,' or whatever. And I just love it."
Megan also rejected speculation that the show was fixed.
“I would say that it isn’t just because, you know, I feel like God made all of this happen for a reason," she told The New York Post.
“Even if I was first, second, last, whatever…I feel like any of us really deserved it.”
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The TV star added: "I feel like Iam was deserving, and he’s so humble and so talented. And this was his time, and I’m just super proud of him.”
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