An “American Idol” hopeful’s mom pushed him to take his singing seriously after signing him up for the show.
Brajawn Upshaw, a mail handler from Georgia, said he sings while doing the night shift at the post office. But it wasn’t his passion that brought him in front of the three judges — it was his mom.
“I didn’t even want to do ‘American Idol,’” he said. “My mom signed me up without me knowing.”
He said he often holds himself back from doing things he wants. Still, he came and performed “Lovely” by Billie Eilish and Khalid with the hope to prove his mom right.
But the judges weren’t immediately sold on the 21-year-old mail handler.
He was compared to doing spoken word, which judge Luke Bryan liked.
“I love what you’re giving me right now,” Bryan said.
Judge Carrie Underwood wanted to see him sing more from his gut and throw caution to the wind.
“I’m challenged here,” said judge Lionel Richie before ultimately saying no to Hollywood for the 21-year-old.
The singer committed to pushing himself and getting out of the box he’s put himself in for so long.
Bryan voted yes, leaving it up to Underwood.
“I think you can get there for sure,” Underwood said and voted yes, with Bryan falling off his chair.
The “American Idol” contestant’s mom cried talking to Underwood after the audition.
“I worked so hard to get my son here,” she said between tears. “I’m the one who signed him up.”
“American Idol” airs at 8 p.m. on Sunday.
