Blake Proehl, a former NFL Player, brought Katy Perry to tears on American Idol with his impressive cover of a chart-topping Brett Young hit. As he stepped into the audition room, the now 25-year-old from Charlotte, North Carolina admitted he was nervous after receiving a warm welcome from Idol judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan.
“I’m a little anxious, I’m not used to this at all. I’m very, very excited though, I promise,” Proehl said.
Blake Proehl’s Story: From NFL Football Player To American Idol
Blake Proehl then shared his backstory with the judges, revealing that he was a wide receiver in the NFL for three years before an injury forced him to stop playing football.
“My dad played in the league for about 17 years [too],” he explained, referencing his father, Ricky Proehl, a two-time Super Bowl Champion that played for the St. Louis Rams and the Indianapolis Colts. “I grew up and kind of dedicated everything I know to football, and my dream was to make it to the NFL.”
He ultimately went on to sign a contract with the Minnesota Vikings after college as an undrafted free agent. Following his time in the NFL, he turned his focus to music. Proehl, whose real name is Christian Blake Proehl, then told the judges how he went from being an NFL football player to wanting to audition for American Idol.
“I went through a really tough injury. I tore a bunch of stuff… I don’t want to get graphic,” he said, gesturing to the calf muscles in his leg. “They just said, ‘hey, it’ll be a success story if you’re able to just like run again in general. That was definitely the toughest time, for sure,” he continued as tears began to flow. “But, we’re here now… I wasn’t able to walk for so long. That’s where music kind of came in and saved me.”
His Grandmother Pushed Him To Pursue Music
Blake Proehl credits his grandmother for finding the confidence to audition for American Idol. In 2021, he shared a video of himself pranking his grandmother with a performance in their North Carolina home, which went viral and amassed over 28 million views on his social media. From that moment on, he knew, with the help of his grandmom, that it was time to pursue a career in music.
“My grandma is the reason why I’m here. I really didn’t believe in myself at all music wise, and she’s the reason why I have any confidence at all to be in this room,” he admitted to the Idol judges before they invited his Nana into the room to watch his audition. “I started playing and learning, and I pranked her and the video kind of went like viral.”
Watch Blake Proehl’s American Idol Audition Below
Wearing a jean jacket over a white t-shirt, khaki pants, and a backward white ball cap, Blake Proehl took a seat at the grand piano and delivered a stunning rendition of Brett Young’s “In Case You Didn’t Know,” with his grandmother by his side.
Katy Perry Brought To Tears, Earns Praise From Luke Bryan And Lionel Richie
Proehl’s performance gave Katy Perry goosebumps and brought her to tears. After he finished, Perry swiftly approached Proehl, ask him for an autograph, and stated, “you’re not allowed to leave this show.”
“Listen, every grandma thinks that their grandchildren are great, but YOU’RE RIGHT!” Perry shouted, pointing at the contestant’s grandmother. “Alright, let’s get serious about this because this is something to get serious about. If you will allow us to be your coaches, you’re gonna be Top 10.”
He also earned praise and a standing ovation from Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan.
“You’re going to be just fine,” Richie chimed in, before Bryan added, “You just did that song the right way in a very believable way in a very innocent, vulnerable like every girl you sit down and sing that to they’re going to be melted butter kind of like this one a minute ago. But, It was just a real moment.”
“I wrote one thing here that stood out: natural. It’s just one of those things that either you have it or you don’t, and in this case my friend, Blake, you have stepped into an oval with guts and gusto. That pair of ears right there… you listen to her from now on, you hear me because that your beacon.
Earned A Golden Ticket To Hollywood
The Idol judges then unanimously voted three yeses, and Blake Proehl earned a golden ticket to Hollywood.
Brett Young Reacts To Blake Proehl On American Idol
Following the show, country superstar Brett Young took to Proehl’s social media account to react to his emotional audition.
“Great job @blakeproehl! Good luck and please have someone check @lukebryan’s rib and leg. Sounds serious,” Young wrote in the comments on his post.
