LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: ‘American Idol’ Season 22 contestant Michael Rice clinched the Golden Ticket to Hollywood for his ‘most emotional’ performance. The aspiring singer graced the ABC stage to perform his version of Kelly Clarkson’s song, ‘Because of You. He dedicated his song to his father and claimed that the song meant a lot to him.
Michael shared with the ABC show judges, Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan, that the song “just reminds me of my dad, so I hope I do him proud.” In the early released audition clip, Michael shared his childhood challenges, revealing that his father had battled with drug addiction. He was raised by a single mom, who struggled to provide for them.
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The ABC show contestant shared that his mother was like his best friend as they practically grew up together as she had him when she was only 17. During the introduction video, Michael shared, “I didn’t really have a relationship with my dad as a little kid.” Michael revealed, “It was hard performing on the stage and looking for my dad. It was when I was around 17, me and my dad rekindled.”
He elaborated, “He said to me he was very proud of me and he’s very proud of me singing and then suddenly he passed away from a heart attack due to the drugs, so that’s the last memory I have of him, and it’s all stuck in my head.” Michael’s excellent performance and touching story moved the judges and they awarded the deserving singer three ‘yeses’ advancing him to Hollywood Week.
‘American Idol’ Season 22 judges give standing ovation to Michael Rice
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‘American Idol’ Season 22 contestant Michael Rice received a standing ovation from all three judges, Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan, after his emotional performance. Lionel also called Katy and Luke to give Michael a warm and big group hug.
Lionel complimented after Michael’s performance, “You gave it all to us,” adding, “That was the most emotional, most giving… and when you hit ‘Because of You,’ I couldn’t hold anything back.” He added, “It’s crazy, but it’s your dream, and by the way you did well in your dream.” Luke also praised the contestant, “You acted like somebody who flew from a long way away to come here and prove to the world what you have. You sang your absolute a** off.”
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‘American Idol’ Season 22 contestant Michael Rice hopes to inspire kids
‘American Idol’ Season 22 judge Katy Perry was complimenting storytelling skills when the ABC show contestant Michael Rice interrupted to share his hopes. After the emotional performance, Katy told Michael, “We have a lot of people that come in here and tell us a lot of things that are really horrible and tragic, but rarely do they then follow it up with telling their story through a song that someone else wrote like they wrote it themselves.”
She added, “I watched you die. I heard you cry.” Michael interrupted Katy and explained, “I hope to inspire other kids the same as me to go for it.”
Catch new episodes of ‘American Idol’ Season 22 every Sunday at 8 pm ET on ABC. The latest episodes will be available to stream next day on Hulu.
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