MANILA, Philippines — A 19-year-old Vietnamese high school student stunned the American Idol judges with her powerful voice which earned her a golden ticket to Hollywood.
In a video uploaded on Youtube through the show, 19-year-old Myra Tan performed her rendition of “One Night Only” from the Broadway musical “Dreamgirls.”
Before singing, Tan said it has always been a dream of hers to perform before an audience in American Idol.
“When I was a little kid, my dream has been being able to sing in front of the American Idol audience and I cannot believe that I can have a chance right now,” she said.
When Tan started to sing, her full and powerful voice filled the audition room.
The judges — Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan — watched her performance with their jaws dropped and eyes wide open.
Once the song ended, the judges started clapping and even stood up to praise the 19-year-old singer.
Perry’s first question was: “You’re in high school? You sing in high school?
To which Tan answered: “Yes…I’m in a choir.”
“You are the choir,” Richie said, amazed.
When it was time to comment, Bryan likened Tan’s singing prowess to that of one of American Idol’s most successful alumni.
“You’re up there with the Kelly Clarksons of the world. That’s the only way I can say it,” he said.
Meanwhile, Perry said that Tan was able to show that music really knows no language.
“You just need to keep singing. Because I think if you keep singing, you’re really gonna connect with people,” she said.
“I think we can really feel who you are through the music. I feel like music transcends language barriers. And you just showed us that,” she added.
On the other hand, Richie had one advice for Tan: “There is nothing to compare you to…You have stepped into a zone that’s yours, okay? And all I what I want you to do from now on, is rule your zone, because you are going places.”
After the judge’s comments, the 19-year-old singer from Vietnam left the audition room with a golden ticket in hand. /je