25-year-old Chicago native Jason Warrior thought there was no hope after he didn’t make it on The Four, however that’s not the case with American Idol.
On Sunday (Feb. 14) during the season premiere of American Idol, Warrior auditioned with Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On?,” a performance that Lionel Richie called a “tall order.” However, the contestant did not disappoint as he earned a standing ovation and praise from Idol judges Richie, Luke Bryan and Katy Perry.
“Very few people can take a Marvin Gaye song and turn it into their song,” Richie said. “That was phenomenal. I’m going to ask you to forget all about what’s behind you, you got that? I’m going to say that was one of the strongest vocals I have ever heard on this show. I’m very proud of you.”
“That was serious, man, and your name is beautifully awesome, Jason Warrior! I mean, are you kidding me?” Bryan added. “I want to go buy that ticket, ‘what you doing tonight?,’ me and my girl we’re going to dinner, we’re going to see Jason Warrior.”
“I thought that was magnificent, your grandma’s dream might be coming true,” Perry gushed.
His performance was so amazing that it earned him a golden ticket to Hollywood.
“Thank you so much,” Warrior told the judges with tears running down his cheeks.
Watch Warrior’s full American Idol audition performance below.
