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Lionel Richie

Gospel Singer Moves Legendary Lionel Richie To Tears

by Rhoda Gayle March 19, 2022

A “100% Gospel singer” moves the music legend, Lionel Richie, to tears with his Gospel song performance on American Idol.

Gospel singer

Dontrell Briggs from Maxton, North Carolina delivered a soulful Gospel song during the American Idol audition. He sang Tasha Cobbs’ “For Your Glory” as a tribute to his late godmother, Betty Morrison, who died in April last year.

“She played a very big part in my life — not a day that I could not call her and she wouldn’t be right there for me,” Dontrell said in an interview for American Idol.

Betty died of terminal lung disease at the age of 59. Despite having a health issue, she “always kept going” and that inspired the 26-year-old singer to reach for his dream.

“If I get that golden ticket, she is going to be rejoicing with the angels,” he told the judges.

Photo courtesy: YouTube | American Idol

Lionel Richie

Lionel Richie, one of America’s music legends, was moved to tears with his performance. He felt the Lord’s presence with his rendition of the song.

“Some people can come in and just sing, and then some people come in and just let God come through them… I felt every breath of that performance.” Lionel said.

However, the other judges were not that impressed with his performance. They noted that his vibrato went overboard. Luke Bryan asked him what percentage of him is a Gospel singer, Dontrell boldly answered that he is a 100% Gospel singer.

He then sang another song that wowed Luke and finally gave him a “yes” vote after Katy Perry gave him a “no” vote.

“Yes, you’re going to Hollywood… I just got chills all over that one,” Luke said.

Lionel was heard praising God in the background, “Hallelujah!”

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Reference: YouTube | American Idol

March 19, 2022 0 comment

Music

‘His Eye Is On The Sparrow’ Gets Teen Girl Through On American Idol Despite Pranking Her Dad!

by Rhoda Gayle March 27, 2019

written by Rhoda Gayle

Gabby Barrett, 17, has been singing since she was nine and has always had her dad’s support for her dreams. He works two jobs, as a maintenance man by day and a cleaner at night, so Gabby hasn’t had the easiest time growing up. However the hard times have helped her become the woman she is today and her singing talents could really turn things around for her family.

The Audition

So it is with great expectation that Gabby, who is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania auditioned in the current series of American Idol.

In the video below you will see her first song choice is ‘Good Girl’ by Carrie Underwood, however Katie Perry stops her midway. The judges say they want to hear more from her to determine her own style. “You have to understand something; we are looking for you,” Lionel Richie says.

Your personality is in the church song

At this point Gabby lifts her hands in worship and starts singing His Eye Is on the Sparrow, the Gospel hymn written in 1905 by Civilla Martin and Charles Gabriel. It’s a ‘church song’ that has been sung by many great singers including Diana Ross and Whitney Houston.

“When Jesus is my portion / A constant friend is He / His eye is on the sparrow / And I know he watches over me.”

After just singing a few lines of the song, the judges were impressed. “Your personality is in the church song,” Lionel comments after Gabby’s second chance. “You stopped all the pretending, you elongated the notes, you took your time, you’re breathing, and you are just on fire,”

All the judges vote “YES” to putting Gabby through to the next round, but that is not yet the end of the story…

Pranking Dad

Katie Perry decides to prank Gabby’s dad by pretending that Gabby didn’t make it. You can feel his disappointment and then see his joy at finding out that his little girl has succeeded in going through… leaving everyone in tears.

In Luke 12: 6-7 we read: “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

Like Gabby’s dad, our Heavenly Father always has our best interests in mind and He rejoices when we do well. He is always there to give us a second chance, it may not be in a talent contest but certainly in life. And we can’t prank Him, He knows us too well. His eyes are always upon us!

Watch Gabby’s audition and be encouraged. Find your ‘church song’ and let your personality shine through for Him!

March 27, 2019 0 comment

Video

Christian Teenager Brings Katy Perry To Tears During Her American Idol Audition

by Rhoda Gayle March 11, 2019

written by Rhoda Gayle

A Christian teenager brought Katy Perry to tears during her audition for American Idol. Her performance and life story made the other judges emotional as well.

Khalifa Wilson

Khalifa ‘Kai’ Wilson, a 19-year-old singing aspirant from South Carolina, has a challenging life story. As a child, she was in and out of shelters. Her family was homeless and the only shelter they had was a car.

“I thanked God for that car,” Kai said in an interview.

Kai always wanted to help her family get out of their difficult situation.

“You kinda get tired of seeing your family struggling. It’s like everybody wants you to go to college and be something, but it takes money to go to college and I’m kinda behind on it,” Kai added.

So Kai auditioned for American Idol in hopes of giving her family a good future.

When she sang her first audition piece, she was overwhelmed with emotion and was not able to deliver the best performance. But all the judges gave her a second shot for her dreams and it was all worth it!

“My Church”

All the judges were amazed by her performance, leaving them quite emotional. When Kai was asked, by Luke Bryan, about how she was able to conquer all her hardships and make it to American Idol, Katy Perry was shocked by her answer.

“My church,” Kai answered to Luke.

Katy then revealed how she can relate to Kai’s situation.

“I don’t want to compare our situations but I was raised in a church too. And I didn’t grow up with any money and money was always the problem. It was the cause of everything not great in my life,” Katy shared with Kai. “My parents were traveling ministers and so when I was 13, the church bought me a guitar. So I relate to what you’re saying and I think it’s so beautiful.”

Lionel Richie also shared his thoughts about what God did for Kai.

“You are here for a reason and a purpose. God can only do for you what He can do through you,” Lionel told Kai.

https://youtu.be/Dh-CvYbkToc

Reference: YouTube | American Idol

March 11, 2019 2 comments

Video

Blind Contestant Brings American Idol Judges To Tears

by Rhoda Gayle March 8, 2019

written by Rhoda Gayle

Blind contestant, Shayla ‘Shayy’ Winn, brings American Idol judges to tears with her audition song ‘Rise Up’ by Andra Day. Her story brought inspiration to the judges and over 7.6 Million viewers on Facebook!

Legally Blind

Shayy, 17-years-old, was declared legally blind a year ago, but she didn’t let her condition stop her from pursuing her dreams.

The Virginian teen went to an eye doctor after having a problem with her eyesight thinking that she needed eyeglasses. It turned out that she had a more serious problem. The doctor sent her to the Emergency Room where she found out that she has a hydrocephalus that caused swelling of her optic nerve. Her doctors discovered that she had a tumor on her brain.

The American idol contestant underwent surgery to remove half of the tumor that was discovered. The other half of the tumor was too dangerous to be removed so they decided not to risk Shayy’s life.

She was bullied at school since she had to walk with a cane. It was hard for her, but her family and friends have been continuously supporting her.

“It’s a whole other side to life that I never knew about,” Shayy said.

Emotional Performance

As Shayy started to sing her audition piece, Lionel Richie started to tear up. Katie and Luke also got emotional with her performance. The judges gave Shayy a standing ovation for her angelic voice.

Lionel even approached her to express his love and gratitude for the young lady.

“So Shayy, you have what we cannot teach. We cannot teach letting the music flow straight from the soul and that’s what you did. It just pours out of you,” Luke said.

“You are a lesson to us all because it is the power of the spirit, you are a reminder of just how blessed we are,” Lionel said composing himself. “You walk out here with all the confidence in the world and just deliver your spirit, you touched me. I’m so in love with you.”

Reference: YouTube | American Idol

March 8, 2019 1 comment