Viral sensation Lauren Spencer-Smith (age 16), a high school student from Vancouver Island, Canada, sang a powerful version of “What About Us” by Pink during the Auditions round on American Idol 2020 (Season 18)
“What About Us” was written by Pink, Steve Mac and Johnny McDaid. It was released on 2017, as the lead single from Pink’s seventh studio album, Beautiful Trauma (2017). The song was nominated for Best Pop Solo Performance at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards. It topped the charts in several countries and peaked at number 3 on Billboard’s US Adult Contemporary, and at number 24 on the US Adult Top 40.
American Idol judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan were stunned by Lauren’s performance, and Luke was speechless for a while.
Lionel said Lauren was wise, gifted, and had amazing control. Luke said her voice was very interesting and her tone intriguing. Katy said Lauren’s voice is a thousand years old and had a Leona Lewis vibe in it.
All the judges gave their “YES” votes to Lauren and they gave her a Golden Ticket to Hollywood.
Lauren said Vancouver Island is a sparsely populated island. “I feel like I’m a very little girl with like a huge dream and American Idol will help me achieve that dream in so many different ways.”
Her performance left Luke Bryan unable to organize his thoughts, and he asked Lionel to comment first.
Lionel thinks they’re under full attack from very young singers. “Fifteen, sixteen year-olds are coming strong this trip, boy.” He told Lauren, “You are wise and gifted well beyond your age, okay? I had to close my eyes a minute ago [thinking]…Who am I listening to? Amazing control”. He thinks she did a great job and if she continues going down that road, she could make something happen on the show.”
Luke Bryan said, “I think your voice is SUPER interesting. You have this tone that is making us very intrigued by you.”
Katy Perry told Lauren, “I think you have such a God-given gift. You may be 16, but that voice is a thousand years old.” She said Lauren had a kind of Leona Lewis vibe to her voice, “but it is very much you.” Katy said Lauren had so much to work with and they can help her carve out what she wants to be as an artist and what kind of music she wants to do.
The judges unanimously gave her their “Yes” votes and handed her a Golden Ticket to Hollywood.
Lauren said in the interview that she’s excited. “Did I just sing for those three amazing people? Just their mentoring and their wisdom is gonna help me shape the artist that I want to be and help me become something that I’ve been dreaming of my whole life.
Prior to American Idol, Lauren had already gained fame for her YouTube channel, amassing millions of views from her covers. Some of her covers/singles are available on Spotify, iTunes, and Amazon.
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.
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