American Idol 2024: Who is Ziggy Krassenberg's father, Michael Krassenberg?

* Update: Unfortunately, Ziggy did not make it into the American Idol Top 24. Click here for the full list of contestants who did, as well as here to find out how to vote for the Top 24. Head over to the American Idol season 2024 schedule to find out when to tune in the rest of the season.

American Idol season 22 contestant Ziggy Krassenberg joined the show with flair and all things pink, and we love it! The Gorredijk, Netherlands-native has a strong voice, as well as a clear love and talent for music. As we learned last night during Hollywood Week, much of that inspiration came from his father. Who is Michael Krassenberg?

During the heart-pumping Idol Arena, Ziggy revealed that his dad was a musician himself. And that's how the Idol contestant was introduced to music. From a young age, Ziggy saw his father performing on stage and sometimes would join him. Not much is known about Ziggy's dad, Michael, despite being a musician in the Netherlands. But, there are a few facts about the "rock star" as dubbed by his son.

Unfortunatley, he passed away Sept. 15, 2022 at the age of 61 following a stroke that left him in the hospital for three days. Per an Instagram post, he was born Jan. 11, 1961. It's clear Ziggy looked up to him, and Michael was one of the inspirations for the contestant's musical career. The aspiring American Idol artist shared that growing up, he wasn't able to spend much time with his mom due to her drug addiction. And so it was his dad that he was around the most.

He and Michael were close growing up, but father and son grew apart as Ziggy was looking for acceptance from his dad and didn't get it initially. Though the 23-year-old and his father were able to reconnect and rebuild their relationship before he passed away after Ziggy's run on Dutch Idol (when he was only 15 years old!). From the limited videos and posts we could find online, it seems like Michael was mainly a guitarist, and didn't sing like Ziggy. But from what I've seen, he was definitely talented too!

Three weeks before he passed, Michael had been to one of Ziggy's performances and unfortunately this was the last time he saw his son on stage. In an Instagram post in September 2022, Ziggy shared that "after the farewell, I have special news in honor of my father." This was before we all knew he was going to be a part of American Idol 2024. It seems like the passing of his dad, this Idol contestant wanted to find a way to keep him alive through music, and that's what inspired him to join the competition series. And we're so glad he did!

After a visa scare and potentially having to drop out of the season, his visa went through and Ziggy was able to make it to Hollywood Week. Even though he was a bit late, he had a very valid excuse! He performed "All I Want" by Kodaline, impressing the judges and snagging him a spot in the Showstopper Round, which airs this evening, April 1, 2024 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. Will Ziggy be a part of the Top 24? We'll find out tonight! I certainly think he can make it far in the competition, and his father is certainly watching over him and is proud.

American Idol airs a new episode tonight, April 1, 2024, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. Stream episodes the next day on Hulu.