Katy Perry was moved to tears as McKenna Breinholt met her birth family for the first time during the season premiere of American Idol on ABC. The pop superstar got emotional as McKenna, a 25-year-old from Gilbert, Arizona, was surprised to see her birth family at her audition in Nashville. After singing a powerful duet, McKenna shared her story of being adopted and inheriting musical talent from her late mother, Amy Ross Lopez. Katy, who hinted that this season may be her last as a judge, tried to hold back tears but couldn’t help but get emotional. ‘No, I’m not crying. You’re crying,’ Katy said with a smile as she wiped away her tears.
Katy Perry was moved to tears when McKenna Breinholt reunited with her birth family for the first time on the latest episode of American Idol. McKenna’s mother, Amy, was part of a musical duo called ‘Nowhere Man and a Whiskey Girl,’ and Katy asked if she knew any of her mom’s songs to perform for them. McKenna confirmed that she did, which prompted judge Luke Bryan to joke about needing tissues on set. As McKenna sat at the piano with her family standing behind her, judge Lionel Richie was amazed at the emotional moment. She then sang a song called Tumbleweed while playing the piano, causing her grandmother to openly cry. The judges were visibly moved by the performance, with Lionel whispering, ‘Ah, that’s tough.’ After receiving applause, McKenna expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to perform for her family. Katy even asked if the song sounded the same, highlighting the emotional and touching moment.
The pop sensation, who is 39 years old, became teary-eyed when McKenna, a 25-year-old from Gilbert, Arizona, was surprised to discover that her biological family was present at her audition for season 22 in Nashville. This heartwarming moment occurred after McKenna delivered a powerful rendition of the 2019 duet “There Was Jesus” by Zach Williams and Dolly Parton.
McKenna was completely surprised to spot her biological family among the audience during her audition, especially since they had only recently reconnected.
Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan gave a round of applause as McKenna performed a cover of her mother’s song.
Katy’s face scrunched up with emotion, trying to hold back tears. Ranelle described it as a ghostly moment, while McKenna wiped away her own tears. Katy spoke about the power of music, connecting people’s hearts and emotions, and reminded McKenna that she was not alone in searching for her birth family. She praised McKenna’s parents for their love and support, mentioning the healing nature of her singing.
The family agreed with Katy, nodding in affirmation. Thanksgiving was going to be a memorable occasion, Katy predicted, before the judges unanimously decided to send McKenna to Hollywood. Katy shared a message from judge Amy Ross Lopez, who gave a positive vote for McKenna. As McKenna shook hands with the judges, a video tribute to Amy Ross Lopez performing “Tumbleweed” was shown on screen.
McKenna was seated at the piano while her family stood close by, watching her play.
“Can you hear any similarities?,” inquired Katy.
“It’s as if a ghost is here,” remarked Ranelle while McKenna cleared her tears away.
After exchanging handshakes with the judges, McKenna watched a video tribute to Amy Ross Lopez’s performance of Tumbleweed from 1973-2013. Impressed, Lionel remarked, “That’s beautiful. Now that’s how the American Idol family should operate.” The judges were then joined by host Ryan Seacrest for a heartwarming group hug. clutching her golden ticket, McKenna expressed her gratitude on camera, saying, “I feel incredibly fortunate and blessed to have two supportive families. This is the best surprise ever. I truly believe I am continuing my birth mom’s legacy, and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me. We’re off to Hollywood. Amy, I did it. I hope you’re proud.”
The episode kicked off with a soulful performance of Sam Cooke’s Bring It On Home To Me by English singer Mackenzie Sol, 23, from Newcastle, who now resides in Las Vegas. His exceptional performance led to a standing ovation, and his mother Nicki surprised him on stage as all three judges voted to send him to Hollywood.
This season of American Idol includes hometown visits for the judges, with Lionel seen auditioning in Tuskegee, Alabama on Sunday’s episode. Triston Harper, 15, from McIntosh, Alabama, impressed the judges with his guitar skills and rendition of Jason Isbell’s Cover Me Up, leading to a unanimous decision to send him to Hollywood.
Next, the family brought host Ryan Seacrest, age 49, in for a big group embrace.
“I consider myself incredibly fortunate and grateful to have the love and support of two families now. It’s truly the greatest gift and surprise. I feel like I am continuing my birth mother’s legacy, and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me. Hollywood, here we come! Amy, I made it. I hope you’re looking down on me with pride,” shared McKenna.
The first segment of the two-hour show kicked off with Mackenzie Sol, a 23-year-old English singer from Newcastle, charming the audience with his rendition of the classic Sam Cooke tune, “Bring It On Home To Me.”
Triston Harper, a 15-year-old from McIntosh, Alabama, impressed the judges with his performance of Jason Isbell’s “Cover Me Up” on the guitar, earning himself a ticket to Hollywood as all three judges voted in his favor.
The judges commended the young teen for his exceptional storytelling skills.
Lionel, Katy, and Luke shot some footage in Lionel’s hometown of Tuskegee, Alabama. During the auditions, Kennedy Reid, 23, sang with her friend Jean Ann on the piano by her side. Katy was intrigued by Kennedy’s pink ‘coffin’ nails, leading Kennedy to confess that she works as a mortician. Kennedy chose to perform a Tina Turner classic, “River Deep, Mountain High,” while Jean Ann shared that they first met at a John Conlee concert. Luke brought up John’s connection to funeral homes, sparking an impromptu duet between Kennedy and him. This memorable moment secured Kennedy a golden ticket to Hollywood. Katy, moved by Kennedy’s talent, decided to give her a break from death and offer her a chance to experience the fullness of life by giving her a ‘yes’ vote.
Kennedy Reid, who is 23 years old, took the stage alongside her closest friend Jean Ann playing the piano.
Jean Ann later shared that she and Luke crossed paths at a John Conlee concert. During the event, Luke surprised everyone by joining Kennedy in a spontaneous duet on a Conlee track.
“Let’s lighten the mood and show her the joys of life,” Katy proposed as she enthusiastically cast her vote in favor. Meggie Iyer, an 18-year-old from Carmel, Indiana, wowed the judges with her rendition of Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me.” Katy described her as having the ‘whole package’ and being a top 10 talent. Lionel agreed, calling Meggie the ‘whole package,’ and the judges unanimously sent her to Hollywood. Ajii, a 27-year-old from Flatbush, Brooklyn, expressed gratitude towards his Pakistani parents, Mohammad and Sabrina, before performing Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control.” His performance impressed the judges, earning him a golden ticket to Hollywood.
At just 18 years old, Meggie Iyer hailing from Carmel, Indiana, wowed the audience with her impressive performance of Bonnie Raitt’s I Can’t Make You Love Me.
Lionel concurred that Meggie possessed the full range of talent, and the judges decided to advance her to Hollywood.
Ajii, a 27-year-old from Flatbush, Brooklyn, expressed his gratitude towards his Pakistani parents, Mohammad and Sabrina, before he belted out a soulful rendition of Lose Control by Teddy Swims.
Lionel, Katy, and Luke were all wowed by Ajii’s performance.
Hailing from Greensboro, North Carolina, 25-year-old Blake Proehl took a shot at his passion for music after his dreams of playing professional football were shattered by a career-ending injury. Despite signing with the Minnesota Vikings in 2021 as an undrafted free agent, a knee injury forced Blake to re-evaluate his goals.
Following a viral video of him serenading his grandmother, who later joined him during his audition, Blake showcased his musical talents by singing and playing the piano to Brett Young’s “In Case You Didn’t Know.” The judges were all impressed and unanimously voted to send him through to Hollywood.
After his football dreams were dashed by injury, 25-year-old Blake Proehl from Greensboro, North Carolina, decided to try his hand at auditions instead.
He performed ‘In Case You Didn’t Know’ by Brett Young on the piano while his Nana watched him.
During her visit to Santa Barbara, Katy was accompanied by her older sister Angela and reminisced about her days of street performing.
She shared that sometimes she would be paid with avocados for her performances and proudly displayed her old green guitar.
One contestant, Micaela McCall, wowed the judges with her rendition of Stevie Wonder’s ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)’, earning a ticket to Hollywood.
Odell Bunton, a 28-year-old father of five from Texas, received a standing ovation from the judges for his performance of Sam Cooke’s ‘Bring It On Home To Me’.
Impressed by his talent, the judges unanimously voted to send him to Hollywood, where he discovered he had received a Platinum Ticket, allowing him to bypass the initial round of Hollywood Week.
Katy was joined by her older sister Angela during her visit back home to Santa Barbara, California. She reminisced about her past, sharing stories of how she used to perform on the streets as a busker.
The singer shared that back in the day, she used to receive payment in the form of avocados for her impromptu street performances, proudly displaying her trusty old green guitar.
During the Santa Barbara audition, Micaela McCall performed an upbeat rendition of the classic Stevie Wonder tune “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours).”
Micaela wowed the judges with her one-of-a-kind flair and received a golden invitation to Hollywood.
Odell Bunton, a 28-year-old Texan with five kids, wowed the judges by singing a heartfelt rendition of Sam Cooke’s ‘Bring It On Home To Me’, earning a well-deserved standing ovation.
Meanwhile, Jack Blocker, hailing from Dallas, showcased his talent by performing his own original song ‘I Was Wrong’ at the Nashville audition. Despite receiving a mixed response from Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan voted to send him to Hollywood. After appealing to the crew, Jack was given a second chance and ultimately voted to move forward to Hollywood.
Lionel happily delivered the good news to Jack, who was ecstatic to receive his golden ticket with his wife by his side.
At the Nashville audition, Dallas native Jack Blocker took the stage to showcase his own creation, a heartfelt tune titled I Was Wrong.
Luke gave his approval to advance the contestant to Hollywood, however, Katy and Lionel did not approve.
The country music sensation made a plea to the team, and they all showed their support by voting overwhelmingly in favor of Jack.
The team unanimously showed their support for Jack by raising their hands.
Luke happily passed the golden ticket to Jack, who then joyfully celebrated with his wife.
Jack and his wife Georgia were overjoyed when the team rescued him from a dangerous situation. McKenna closed out the exciting two-hour premiere episode with a heartfelt performance. She opened up about her upcoming meeting with her birth family, and to her surprise, they were waiting for her at the audition. American Idol fans can look forward to the show’s return on ABC next week.
