“American Idol” hopeful Anna Aistova may not have left her audition with a golden ticket, but she did give opera singing some great publicity.
The Russian singer appeared on Sunday night’s episode of the competition, where she hit many high notes performing “The Diva Dance” (from the 1997 film “The Fifth Element”).
“I’m going to be honest today, opera is not in the best place right now,” she told “Idol” host Ryan Seacrest before entering the audition room.
Judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan clapped at the end of her soaring performance, visibly impressed but unsure of how to proceed.
“Carrie, would you like to replicate that?” Bryan said.
“I don’t do the opera, I do the Opry,” she responded, referencing the Grand Ole Opry.
“I don’t know where it fits in the scope of this competition, so it’s a no for me, but it’s not because you’re not awesome — because you are,” Underwood continued. “I can’t do none of that.”
Richie and Bryan echoed Underwood’s sentiments, sending her home without a ticket to Hollywood.
“Thanks for coming by, and keep being the best opera singer,” Bryan said.
