Kay Genyse, a 19-year-old deli slicer from High Point, North Carolina, made history with her unusual audition on American Idol 2020 (Season 18).
American Idol judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan noted the spunky teener’s grand entrance, with Luke commenting, “there’s some caffeine.” Kay said she was there to “win, sing, perform, and give you the life.” She appeared to have decided to go on an audition from a Fortune Cookie message which read “Your talents will be recognized and rewarded.”
Kay sang a cover of “Mercy” by Duffy. All of the judges were unanimous in praising her showmanship and energy, but said that her voice had some pitch issues and has to catch up with her ability “to hold the room”. Before the judges voted, Kay begged the judges to give her one chance, “I just need one shot,” she said.
Luke Bryan voted a “No”. But when it was time for Katy Perry to vote, she decided to take Kay’s audition to the streets and let random people decide Kay’s fate. That’s a first in American Idol history.
With a better performance out in the street and with the enthusiastic approval of the small crowd of people who gathered around her, Kay finally got the Yes votes from Lionel Richie and Katy Perry and was handed her precious ticket to Hollywood.
“Mercy” is a song co-written by Duffy and Steve Booker, and performed by Welsh singer Duffy, released as the second single from her debut studio album, Rockferry (2008). The song gained critical acclaim worldwide and unprecedented chart success and is Duffy’s best-selling single to date. It was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 51st Grammy Awards. The song peaked at number one on the UK Singles Chart in February 2008, and topped the charts in Austria, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Republic of Ireland, Switzerland and Turkey, and peaked within the top five of the charts in Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Romania, Spain and Sweden.
American Idol Season 18 premiered at 8PM, February 16, 2020 on ABC television and will air Sundays at 8/7c. Ryan Seacrest continues his role as the show’s host and Bobby Bones returns as the in-house mentor. Despite budget cuts, Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie come back as judges for their third season of the series.
Also, check these topics out: Will Ferrell Hot Ones, 2020 Oscars, Run movie 2020, Human Capital movie, Good Trouble Season 2 Episode 17 release date, The Masked Singer Banana. American Idol 2020: Kay Genyse (Audition) sings “Mercy”. American Idol 2020: Kay Genyse (Audition) sings “Mercy” | Duffy | Season 18.
