'American Idol' fans cringe after Luke Bryan's lab delivers 'chewed up and slobbered' Golden Ticket to Victoria Johnson
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Victoria Johnson auditioned for 'American Idol' Season 22 and performed Meghan Trainor's song 'No Excuses'. Even though the 16-year-old singer won a Golden Ticket, viewers believe ABC's decision to send in Luke Bryan's dog marred the tender moment.
The 16-year-old from Boca Raton arrived with her mother, who is her biggest supporter. Katy Perry requested additional loudness.
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Luke believed she delivered like a superstar. This also gives an excellent opportunity to showcase Luke's chocolate lab.
Lionel Richie discovered that her confidence matched her singing. "You are definitely a wide-eyed and very enthusiastic yes," Lionel assured her.
Following Katy's advice, the judges advance the high school kid to Hollywood. She received a golden ticket—a chewed-up Golden Ticket handed by Luke's dog, Choc.
Even though any dog moment on TV is a cute moment in itself, but many fans believe they overshadowed Victoria's Golden Ticket winning moment. On X, fans complained, "Victoria Johnson - 16, Boca Raton, FL - 16?? Talent AND confidence (but give the girl a wet wipe to get the dog slobber off)."
Victoria Johnson - 16, Boca Raton, FL - 16?? Talent AND confidence (but give the girl a wet wipe to get the dog slobber off) #AmericanIdol
— Josh Kennon (@skatefan78) March 25, 2024
While another person chimed in, "I think they're bullying this girl with this dog mess." A third user wrote, "Seriously hope they give her an actual clean ticket."
I think they're bullying this girl with this dog mess #AmericanIdol
— Katie 🩷✨ (@KillerKTK) March 25, 2024
Seriously hope they give her an actual clean ticket #AmericanIdol
— ★ sagittarius★ (@nikola_minik) March 25, 2024
One user also criticize the judges for their gag as they write, "the judges need to be harder on the contestants tonight. victoria had this weird accent when she sang and should have been asked to sing a second song." One user also wondered, "What is this."
the judges need to be harder on the contestants tonight. victoria had this weird accent when she sang and should have been asked to sing a second song. and that "5%" girl sounded wayyyy too much like olivia rodrigo and her song was really weak. #americanidol
— rach 🧀 (@superbatson) March 25, 2024
Victoria Johnson's 'American Idol' opportunity came out of the blue
Victoria's 'American Idol' career came out of nowhere. She was in an Uber on vacation with her family when she received an email from a producer asking whether she'd want to compete on the show this season.
Victoria isn't sure how producers found her skill, but she has been sharing videos of herself performing on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram for several years. She stated that when she was ten years old, she made a YouTube video performing Katy's song "Rise."
Victoria conducted a series of auditions with 'American Idol' producers via Zoom prior to her appearance in front of the celebrity panel in Nashville. To demonstrate her vocal and artistic variety, she sang Aretha Franklin's 'I Never Loved a Man (the Way I Love You)' and Lesley Gore's 'You Don't Own Me.'
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'American Idol's Victoria Johnson is compared to Christina Aguilera and Tate McRae
The 16-year-old Boca Raton youngster is a sassy pop star in the making. She claims her voice has been likened to that of Christina Aguilera and Tate McRae, and her presentation is reminiscent of Britney Spears.
She's a young vocalist who has played in New York, Los Angeles, and Florida and isn't afraid of big crowds. Victoria's site page states that she has been acting since the age of seven, and has also trained as a dancer.
Victoria sang 'The Star-Spangled Banner' and 'God Bless America' at sporting games featuring the Miami Dolphins, Miami Marlins, Miami Heat, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Savannah Bananas. Last March, she won the $500 top prize in "South Florida's Kids Got Talent" at Tri-Rail's 13th annual Rail Fun Day, so talent scouts could have found her anywhere.
She's also been engaged in musical theater, appearing in a production of Annie with Sally Struthers and even taking on the lead role of Aladdin in 'Aladdin'.
'American Idol's Victoria Johnson has released a few singles
Victoria also bares her soul by creating unique songs and is an instrumentalist who can play piano by ear, guitar, and bass. She doesn't come from a musical family—her mother played sports growing up, and her younger sister is a competitive dancer—but her great-grandmother also played music by ear, so she may have gotten that innate skill from her.
In 2019 and 2020, she released four pop singles: 'Tomorrow Can Wait,' 'Somebody,' 'Keep Going,' and 'Seamless.'
Catch new episodes of 'American Idol' Season 22 every Sunday at 8 pm ET on ABC. The latest episodes are available to stream next day on Hulu.