It must be extra nerve wracking to audition for a singing competition with a song by one of the judges, but that’s exactly what Hailey Mia did! For her audition of American Idol, she chose to sing Katy Perry’s own hit Rise. This song is all about feeling empowered, no matter how many obstacles may stand in your way. At only 16 years old, this song is already so fitting for Hailey.
Turns out, this isn’t her first time on a competition like American Idol. At only 13, she made it to fourth place on The Voice. Although she didn’t win, she didn’t let that stop her from pursuing her dream. After her audition, it’s clear she’s been working on her craft, because even Perry herself was moved by the performance!
American Idol Contestant Gives Katy Perry Goosebumps With the Pop Star’s Own Song
With seemingly no effort, Hailey perfectly captures the emotional message of Rise. As Lionel Richie says, she’s able to reinvent the song with her own unique voice. In doing so, she prompts all three judges to give her a standing ovation.
The judges can’t praise Hailey enough, with Luke Bryan boldly sharing that he thinks she has the potential to make it to the top 10. But the highest compliment of all comes from Perry herself.
“That was inspiring — and I wrote and sang it,” Perry shares. “So, to be re-inspired by someone else singing… full body chills.”
Hailey’s performance is an inspiring reminder of what we’re capable of when we choose to believe in ourselves. With such a strong first performance, we can’t wait to see what she does next!
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