‘American Idol’ contestant from Waterbury is going to Hollywood
Amari Keys, who grew up in Waterbury, got her golden ticket to Hollywood on the March 17 episode of “American Idol.”
In between singing two songs, Keys, who also performs as Amari Scott Keys and Amari, shared her story of being a transgender woman and losing contact with some people because of it. She told judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan that she wants to inspire viewers.
“It’s the first year I’ve taken control of my own life,” Keys said in the episode. “I think there are a lot of people who can relate to my struggles and what I’ve been through. I just want them to know that they can do it. That’s all.”
Keys sang a slow, jazzy rendition of Britney Spears’s “Toxic,” which included her using vocals to mimic a trumpet solo.
Following that performance, Perry told Keys that she was “so full of light and joy,” but asked her to sing something
more personal. Keys selected “She Used to Be Mine,” by Sara Bareilles.
The second performance garnered a standing ovation from Perry, who said she voted yes on Keys advancing to Hollywood.
Bryan praised the emotion behind Keys’ second performance, as well as her falsetto. He voted no to her advancing, citing that she got “swallowed up” by some notes.
Richie was the last judge to share his vote.
“That performance was so imperfect, it was perfect,” Richie said.
Keys previously told CT Insider that she began singing when she and her mother were experiencing homelessness, because she saw it as a way out of poverty. Ultimately, though, Keys said she found singing to be a way to process her emotions.
Although she grew up in Connecticut, Keys said that she now lives in Indiana with her boyfriend, James, who went with her to the audition.
This is “American Idol’s” 22nd season overall and its seventh season on ABC.
Previous contestants from Connecticut include Guilford native Nick Fradiani, who won the 14th season of “American Idol” in 2015. In 2016, Bridgeport teen Chynna Sherrod advanced past auditions but didn’t make it to the final 24. Last year, Rachel Lux Karma, a metal singer from Newington, auditioned on TV but wasn’t asked to continue.