The American Idol Jury: Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan
Photo: Getty Images, Jon Kopaloff. All rights reserved.
15-year-old Grace Franklin, granddaughter of the “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin, tries her luck in the auditions of the US singing show “American Idol”. The jury was divided, but for the time being there is no reunion for Grace.
She is aware of following in big footsteps, but also clarifies in the clip for her performance: “I think people expect me to sing like they do, but I’m an artist with my own voice.” After a After a short chat with the jury, who were surprised and pleased about the “guest star”, she proves her catchy words with her performance of “Killing Me Softly”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-w15cQwIgI
The jury, consisting of Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan, is not entirely convinced of her performance. While Richie was particularly struck by Franklin’s nervousness, Bryan describes the performance as “drowsy and sluggish” and Perry describes it as “gentle.” Nonetheless, they pinned their hopes on young Grace and let her sing another song – none other than “Ain’t No Way”.
Her second attempt, delivered more energetically, is met with more enthusiasm and prompts Katy Perry to say “yes”: “Grace, you have stardust on you,” she says. Your jury colleagues stick to the “no”, which causes incomprehension in Perry. But although Grace Franklin isn’t going to be the next “American Idol” just yet, Richie advises her to keep singing, to mature and encourages her to come back at a later date.
In 2019, soul legend Aretha Franklin became the first woman to posthumously receive the Pulitzer Special Prize for her music. She died in Detroit on August 16, 2018.