17-year-old Kenedi Anderson walked into the audition room of American Idol and just stunned all three judges with her rendition of Lady Gaga’s “Applause”. While she played the piano.
Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan did their usual pre-audition interview to learn more about the teenager but the judges were not prepared for the force that came from Anderson’s vocals.
The teen is the only musically inclined, so she says, in her family as all her siblings are athletes.
It’s a good thing Anderson chose to audition, and she had this to say.
“It was super cool,” the Virginia native said. “They were really great — the judges — at calming me down. I’m someone that loves humor and so they’re great at cracking jokes here and there, and it made me feel much more comfortable.”
Apparently, Anderson’s father is a big deal in the football world.
He’s the director of player personnel and recruiting at East Carolina University. And he was once the director of player personnel at University of Virginia for six years. The man also served an administrative support role at his alma mater Brigham Young University.
Kenedi’s siblings are Dakota, Rubee, Peyton, Jayce and Jackson.
She is famous on TikTok and Instagram but after her audition, the world now knows her name.
The moment she sat down, hit those keys and began singing, Perry’s expression changed. The judge perked up while Richie and Bryan gave each other knowing looks of bewilderment.
Kenedi had the judges’ attention alright.
And as soon as she was done, there was a moment of stunned silence before the praises came.
“They’re younger, they’re skinnier, they’re prettier, they sing really good,” Perry commented. “Siri, make an appointment at the plastic surgeon. I don’t know how you haven’t been recruited yet.”
“You check every box. Get ready to become your own hero.” she continued.
Bryan then went on to say that his head was “spinning,” referring to Kenedi as a “five-star recruit.”
Richie added, “You don’t understand. We can sit here all day long and sing songs, but we are looking for the next ‘thing’ in the music business. You have graced us because your voice, your look, your sound. You have answered our prayers.”
“What are the names of your fans?” Perry asked.
“I don’t have any,” Anderson responded.
“I’m a Keny!” Perry screamed to Bryan’s laughing.
The judges asked Kenedi to bring her mother in, then Bryan described a new ticket system with what they called the Platinum Ticket. It allows a contestant to get to one of the rounds in Hollywood Week.
Anderson got one!
“I truly believe your musical journey for the rest of your life just started right here, right now.” Bryan said.
Anderson is self-taught on the piano and guitar and has been playing music for years. She’s one contestant to definitely keep an eye on. This teenager can sing and the three judges can attest to that!
Check out this teenager’s incredible talent in the video below!
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