Among the first to earn a ticket to the top 12, Gokey, 28, auditioned four weeks after the death of his wife, Sophia. While he's earned kudos for his pipes, Gokey has also faced criticism from fans who believe he has an unfair advantage. "I apologize to everybody if they feel like [my wife's death is] shoved in their faces," the Milwaukee native tells Us. "This is a sob story I don't want."