American Idol returned for a new season Sunday night (Feb. 19), and the show’s first audition left judges stunned.
Videos by American Songwriter
The season 21 panel—made up of veteran artists Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie—were wowed by sixteen-year-old Clarksville, Tennessee native Haven Madison.
Ahead of her audition, Madison explained how she virtually grew up on a tour bus because of her father, Jason Roy, who fronts the Christian rock band Building 429.
Her father accompanied her on acoustic guitar during the audition when Madison unleashed a jaw-dropping original, titled “Fifteen.”
What if I want now / What if I don’t wanna wait / What if I don’t wanna waste my time / Waiting on someday / What if I’m not the same / what if it’s all a game and nothing ever’s gonna change / What if I want now, she belted against the bright acoustic melody.
“You can have it!” Perry exclaimed leaping from her seat following the performance. Richie followed suit, rising and saying “You can have it right now.
“In fact, let’s go to the studio right now,” the “Hello” singer continued, praising her songwriting abilities. “Let’s cut that song right now. Can we cut that song?”
With her father in tears and the panel in shock, Richie added, “You can be anything you want to be right now. It’s believable. Artist, voice, songwriting. Check. Check. Check. I don’t see anything wrong now, except the world doesn’t know anything about you, but they will. That was incredible and I’m so happy you came to American Idol.”
Bryan joined in on the exaltation of the young vocalist, remarking, “I think when a 16-year-old can really speak the 16-year-old language that all the other 16-year-olds want to hear, it’s really special.”
It was a resounding “yes” from the panel. “You’re going to Hollywood!” the judges collectively told Madison after her performance.
Watch Haven Madison sing “Fifteen” below. Let us know what you think in the comments section.
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