Neil Diamond Makes Rare, Surprise Appearance With Help From ‘American Idol’ Winner: VIDEO

Audience members at a weekend performance of “The Neil Diamond Musical: A Beautiful Noise” in Los Angeles got an epic surprise — a rare appearance by Neil Diamond himself. On July 13, 2025, the musical’s Instagram page posted a video of the music legend, stunning the audience as he sang his 1969 megahit, “Sweet Caroline.”

The surprise happened with the help of 2015 “American Idol” winner Nick Fradiani, who stars as Diamond in the musical, and has done so since taking over the role on Broadway in 2023, per Broadway Direct.

Fradiani, who started out as the understudy on Broadway in 2022, has devoted the last three years of his life to playing Diamond, and later wrote on Instagram that it was a thrilling experience to finally have the legend see the show in-person.

Video of Neil Diamond Singing ‘Sweet Caroline’ Shows How Excited the Crowd Was

The rare appearance by Diamond — “a moment we’ll never forget,” as the musical’s social media team captioned the video — happened during the curtain call at the July 12 matinee performance of the touring musical, according to People.

The crowd went wild on July 12 as Fradiani, 39, excitedly introduced the legend, shouting, “Ladies and gentlemen, Neil Diamond!”

Diamond, who retired in 2018 after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, was seated in the orchestra section with a microphone, per People. He then led a sing-along of the song as streamers fell from the rafters and Fradiani encouraged the crowd from the stage. Diamond and his wife, Katie, greeted the cast onstage and took photos afterward.

Fans flooded the show’s social media posts, thrilled to see Diamond looking well and hearing him sing his classic hit, including one who wrote, “Oh my gosh! That is SO unbelievably cool. LOVE this guy!! And love your show! 🎶 ❤️”

Nick Fradiani Says It Was an ‘Honor’ Having Neil Diamond in the Audience

After devoting so much of the last several years to playing Diamond, who was Fradiani’s first concert when he was three years old, the season 14 “American Idol” winner wrote on Instagram how meaningful it was for him to perform in front of the star at the July 12 show.

“I built up this day in my head for over 2 years,” he wrote on Instagram, posting a photo of himself in costume next to Diamond. “The day where Neil Diamond himself would see this show. It sounds cliché, but I don’t have the exact words to describe how it felt portraying a music icon as he sat and watched from an audience.”

“But mostly I felt honored and fulfilled,” he continued. “He’s a great man, a great musician, and he’s changed so many of our lives. I was able to tell him how much he’s changed mine. Thank you for letting me share your songs and story across the country every night my friend.”

It’s been 10 years since Fradiani won “American Idol,” and he returned to the show in May 2024 as the Broadway production of “A Beautiful Noise” was wrapping up and the national tour was kicking off.

Before returning to “Idol” to perform, he wrote on Instagram, “9 years ago my life totally changed. It’s been an incredible journey since May 13th of 2015. So many highs and so many lows, but @americanidol taught me so much, especially about work ethic and truly never giving up on a dream. I loved music and performing back then, but somehow that passion has grown exponentially throughout these 9 years. Sunday night I get to return to the Idol stage and perform almost a decade later. So excited to reconnect with my Idol fam!”