Competing on American Idol is not for the faint of heart.
The pressure is on from the moment that contestants walk into the room.
For Michael J. Woodard, after he wowed the judges in his audition, he felt even more nervous for one of his follow-up performances!
Speaking with the camera crew before his performance over the holiday weekend, Michael explained his mixed emotions:
“I feel like I can’t focus on one particular feeling. I’m feeling excited, nervous, ADD-ish if that’s a word? Kind of like mellow and chill at the same time.”
He had never gotten this far in any kind of competition beforehand, so this is a big deal for Michael.
He has no experience as a singer or entertainer. He works at a bowling alley, cleaning shoes and hosting children’s parties.
His experience so far in work is cutting pizza for kids and cleaning up after them at parties at the bowling alley!
For his Hollywood Week solo performance, Michael knew that things were serious. It was his final chance to show the judges what he was made of to make it further in the competition.
Michael chose to sing “Maybe This Time” from Cabaret, as he felt the lyrics really fit in with the situation.
All the odds are in my favor
Something’s bound to begin,
It’s got to happen, happen sometime
Maybe this time I’ll win
He could not have picked a more perfect song for this performance, as he really did want luck on his side!
As soon as Michael began singing, all of the judges couldn’t hold back from saying things like “oh yes!”
The farther Michael got into “Maybe This Time,” the more the judged loved him. Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Katy Perry all leaped to their feet while he sang.
Katy even screamed at one point! After Michael left the stage, Katy asked Lionel and Luke, “where the heck did he come from?”
It is safe to say, they want Michael to stay!
“I was like, I shocked myself! I don’t know what the heck just happened on that stage. But it was something else, all I know is that I turned and hit the last note and the judges were on their feet.”
Just watch Michael’s Hollywood Week solo performance to see how the judges reacted to his rendition of “Maybe This Time.”
Please SHARE this incredible performance with your friends and family on Facebook today.
Michael managed to impress the judges and he made it into the final 24 of the competition! Good luck to him moving forward, but with pipes like those, does he really need much luck?
Michael made a huge impression when he auditioned for the show in Pennsylvania by singing “Make It Rain” by Ed Sheeran.
Don’t you think that Michael has one of the best voices on this season of American Idol so far?
