Homeless Youth Support Facilitator Katyrah Love impressed the American Idol judges during her audition on Sunday evening when she sang a cover of a Bishop Briggs’ viral hit.
Love, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, connects homeless youth to resources, housing programs and more so that they can survive. She hopes to be a “symbol of hope” within her city.
“I never thought I’d be here, this is insane,” Love admitted before performing.
Donning shorts and a brown shirt and sitting upon her Cajon that she named Laylah, Love performed a cover of Bishop Briggs’ “River.”
Earned a round of applause from all three Idol judges: Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan.
“Presentation, it’s all about the presentation. My God, it was so great,” Richie gushed.
“Performance! The box is cute and all, but you don’t need the box,” Bryan said, referencing Love’s Lajon. “You sing like… There’s a little bird element. I mean, like It’s really great!”
“If you can hold out some of those notes, I think it’ll be really helpful,” Perry said. “And you got a vibe!”
“I am so excited to see where you’re going to take this ride, because this is your stage, welcome to American Idol,” Richie later added.
After praising Love’s audition, Richie, Perry and Bryan all shouted, “You’re going to Hollywood.”
The contestant then grabbed her golden ticket to Hollywood and exited the room.
American Idol returns on Monday, March 28 for Hollywood Week at 8/7c on ABC.
