Meet Wyatt Pike, a 19-year-old Utah native whose audition and original song really blew away American Idol judges: Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie. The college student auditioned with a self-penned tribute to his sister Hazel called “Best For You.”
Following his one-of-a-kind performance of his original track, Bryan, Perry and Richie praised him for his exceptional talents.
“Cool,” Bryan said as Pike concluded his performance before Richie asked him “Luke, what do you think of this young man?”
“I want more,” Bryan replied. “Well, Wyatt, first of all, you are the exact spitting image of my high school bass player, Jeff Caleb. I’m talking about hilariously, exactly. Man, I think you’re totally cool, totally unique, totally in your own world, and in your own lane. Playing your guitar in your style, in your movements. Get comfortable with getting forced outside of some of that but I think the nucleus of all this is some pretty interesting artistic magic happening. I’m excited you’re here!”
“Pottery, so it’s going at a speed and all it takes sometimes is a finger to make a handle, to make an edge or to make it fall over,” Perry began. “I think your nerves have got you going faster than the actual pocket is but these are technical things on top of the immense talent that you have.”
“You are a Park City James Taylor, your version. You are a fabulous storyteller, Luke was right you’re in your own lane,” Richie added. “The only person you’re boxing with right now is yourself.”
Pike’s songwriting abilities and natural vocal talent earned him three yes’ and a golden ticket to Hollywood.
Watch Pike’s full Idol audition above.
American Idol returns Sunday, March 14 at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.
