A teen singer from Nanaimo went to perform at a Hawaiian resort and came back as a top-20 American Idol contestant.
Lauren Spencer-Smith, on the April 5 episode of the hit reality TV show, was selected by judges to advance to the next stage of the competition. Half of the 40 contestants were eliminated during the April 5 episode, filmed at Aulani Disney resort on O’ahu this past winter before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Spencer-Smith performed Aretha Franklin’s Respect and was able to engage the audience and impress judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan.
“I’m so overwhelmed,” said Spencer-Smith during the show. “It means a lot. I’ve worked really hard and it’s nice that I get to prove to people that I can do this.”
Former American Idol winner Maddie Poppe posted on social media that Spencer-Smith gave her best performance so far.
“I think she gained a lot of America’s heart with that one,” Poppe said.
American Idol airs Sundays at 8 p.m. on ABC.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T is what she's getting @iamlaurenmusic
— Lionel Richie (@LionelRichie) April 6, 2020
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