New Paltz teen Laila Mach sent home
Laila Mach was sent home in an episode that aired Monday, after performing during the show’s second Showstopper segment.
Laila Mach’s performance of her original song “Drive Off A Bridge,” won her a coveted ticket to American Idol’s Hollywood Week and prompted celebrity judge Katy Perry to declare that the New Paltz resident would “go far.”
The next week, her rendition of “Fit It To Break It,” by Clinton Kane scored Mach a standing ovation from the judges and her performance of Rhianna’s song “Stay” was enough to propel Mach into the show’s Showstopper episode, despite the poor showing of her partner in the show’s “Duet” challenge
But even though Mach thought her performance of “If I Ain’t Got You,” by Alicia Keys was “probably the best I’ve ever done on stage, ever” it wasn’t enough for her to survive “final judgment” and land a spot in the competition’s top 24.
Mach was sent home in an episode that aired Monday, after performing during the show’s second Showstopper segment.
Perry told Mach the decision to send her home was not a reflection of her talent, but a matter of timing.
“I really believe, Laila, you have the skillset and the talent,” Perry said. “Your voice is getting better and better and better. You did so much of the right stuff.
“But I think it’s a matter of timing for you, Laila,” Perry said. “Sometimes we have to say ‘no.’”
At 15 years old when she auditioned, Mach was one of the youngest competitors. Her confidence, though, belied her age time and time again, as the self-described singer-songwriter wowed the judges.
“There’s no reason for you to be discouraged,” Perry told Mach. “Just keep chipping away.”