“American Idol” is back! On the Season 20 premiere, judges, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie got into a heated debate over allowing Aretha Franklin’s granddaughter through to the next round.
Grace Franklin, the 15-year-old granddaughter of the late “Queen of Soul,” stood in the middle of the debate with a look of anxiety on her face hoping for a “Yes” from Lionel Richie.
Grace performed Lauryn Hill’s version of “Killing Me Softly” as her audition song, and the judges felt it lacked spark.
So, Katy Perry requested that Grace sang another song.
Grace chose her grandmother’s song, “Ain’t No Way.”
The song went over much better with the judges, and Katy Perry said she loved Grace’s rendition of the song.
But, when it came time to vote Lionel Richie was left with the deciding vote.
Lionel Richie said “No”, and Katy gave him a look like, “you can’t be serious,” and she pleaded with Richie to give Grace a chance.
Give her a shot, give her a chance!
I’m sure Aretha wasn’t Aretha when she walked into the room, but somebody said, ‘Yes, I want to work with you. I want to develop you.’
Lionel Richie stuck with his No, and told Grace that he was doing what he felt her grandmother would want him to do.
Katy, disgusted with Lionel’s decision, threatened to quit the show.
I will lay down on the ground. I quit this show. I’m going to the bar.
Watch the video below:
Make sure you scoop the look the piano player gave Lionel Richie near the end of the video.
I haven’t watched “American Idol” since the Simon Cowell days, but I’m with Katy, Grace should’ve made it through.
Source: ET
She was better than most of them that night