Getting Cut From ‘American Idol’ Was the Best Thing to Happen to Alan Ritchson’s Acting Career

Alan Ritchson, 41, is an actor who stars in the upcoming films “Ordinary Angels” and “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare.” He is best known for his starring role in Prime Video’s “Reacher,” now in season 2. He spoke with Marc Myers. 

Niceville, Fla., had plenty of mean kids when I grew up there. The city is on the state’s panhandle so it’s part of the South, which means sports. As a kid who was an artist but didn’t know it yet, I had my share of bullying.