One “American Idol” contestant has gone from getting a “no” from judge Luke Bryan during auditions, to Bryan saying she’s in the “top 10” contestants.
“Idol” hopeful Zaylie Windsor belted the Billie Eilish hit “Happier Than Ever” during Sunday night’s episode of the singing competition, earning high marks from judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Bryan himself.
The episode showed contestants navigating the challenges of Hollywood week at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles. After surviving the “Idol arena” round in last Monday’s episode, which whittled down the number of contestants from 144 to 62, the remaining singers had to compete in the “showstoppers” portion, which tests their ability to stand out from their peers.
Stepping onstage with an acoustic guitar and powerhouse vocals, Windsor did just that.
“I think I’m really pushing myself for this,” she said before the performance, referencing some of the tune’s harder-to-reach high notes. “Especially with a song this big, you really can’t hold back.”
The judges took note of Windsor’s confidence boost, with Underwood saying “welcome to the Zaylie show!”
“She’s serious, y’all,” Bryan added. “She has put herself definitely in the top 10.”
It’s quite the change of heart for Bryan, who voted not to send Windsor to Hollywood when she auditioned.
“As a performer, I could show more emotion, I could get more into my song,” Windsor said of her choice.
