Why People Are Talking About This ‘American Idol’ Audition Video from Last Year
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Video of an American Idol audition by singer Erika Perry is going viral on social media almost two years after it aired. The clip shows judge Katy Perry coaching the singer to enunciate as she sings in a style described by some as “cursive.”
Erika Perry’s American Idol Audition Goes Viral
Erika auditioned for Season 19 of American Idol in 2021, sharing that her boyfriend broke up with her for having “no drive and no motivation.” She said she wanted to prove him and her bullies from school wrong.
The singer started out singing an acoustic version of Katy’s song “E.T.,” prompting judge Luke Bryan to wonder, “Is this a different language? Is it English?” Katy told Erika that she wanted her to try again with “no gimmicks.”
In a moment that recently went viral, Erika sang “Valerie” by Amy Winehouse. Katy interrupted her throughout the performance to tell her to “slow down” and “enunciate the words.” Erika ended up getting a Golden Ticket to Hollywood thanks to Perry and fellow judge Lionel Richie.
SEE ALSO: LEAKED: VARIOUS ‘AGT,’ ‘THE VOICE’ CONTESTANTS REPORTEDLY AUDITION FOR ‘AMERICAN IDOL’ SEASON 21
People Describe This Style as ‘Singing in Cursive’
According to Buzzfeed, Erika’s style of singing has been described as “singing in cursive” or “seal singing.” As one Twitter user wrote, “Cursive singing just isn’t it. The girl sounded much better after that and she’s even got a golden ticket once she sang with her real voice.”
A commenter on Buzzfeed also brought up Camila Cabello’s cover of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” as having a similar style, as fans recently joked about how she pronounces “Christmas.” Cabello herself made fun of the pronunciation on TikTok.
As for Erika, she didn’t make it out of Hollywood Week. After being eliminated, she said she would “like to speak to the manager.” She screamed, “I’m a lunatic! Why do you think my ex dumped me? I will f*cking go crazy!”
