'American Idol' Season 22 fans call Katy Perry 'jealous' as Nya dedicates Hawaiian Round performance to fiancé
HONOLULU, HAWAII: During 'American Idol' Season 22, Nya, a 28-year-old from Manhattan, New York, sang Tina Turner's 'The Best' in the Hawaii Round. Fans thought the pared-down performance, which was devoted to her fiancé, would have made judge Katy Perry envious.
The speed increased as she approached the chorus, allowing Nya to let fly and show off her amazing range. The judges were on their feet after that, and Katy praised the "cool" arrangement.
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Luke Bryan stated that she has negotiated the language in the verses "the best" so far tonight. Tori Kelly praised Nya's piercing tone and dubbed her performance "stunning."
Lionel Richie says it's "amazing" how she grabbed Tina's song and made it her own.
Seeing Katy fall behind on praises for Nya, fans on Instagram wrote, "Katy looks jealous." While another user chimed in, "RIGHT?!"
On Reddit, fans claimed, "This was my favorite performance from Nya so far." Another fan added, "nya keeps getting better and better, great song choice!"
One fan wrote on X, "Nya is giving SZA vibes." Another X user added, "Nya ate that on up. Her voice is effortless. The best yet."
Nya ate that on up. Her voice is effortless. The best yet. 👏 #AmericanIdol
— Lamont (@LamontJunior) April 8, 2024
Who is Nya on 'American Idol' Season 22?
On the show, Nya has never mentioned that she used to live in Fort Myers. She informed the show's judges and the New York Post that she was born in Kenya and raised in Florida. She presently resides in Manhattan.
But Nya has strong ties to Fort Myers. She went to Cypress Lake High and Orangewood Elementary in Fort Myers. Nya has been on Broadway and Off-Broadway, including the recent productions "Titanique" and "Carolina, or Change."
She traveled to New York City before turning 21 to seek a career onstage, she told the New York Post. Previously, she studied law in Tennessee.
Nya has no professional musical experience but has trained herself to sing, dance, and play six instruments. She describes 'American Idol' and the Top 24 as "a defining moment" in her musical career.
Her parents have not always been pleased with her musical career. However, her mother is beginning to understand.
Nya went to Cypress Lake High's Center for the Arts and sang with the school's award-winning vocal group, TAG (The A Cappella Group). She was even nominated for a national CARA (Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards) for her solo on a TAG CD from 2011.
How to vote for your favorite singer on 'American Idol' Season 22?
Voting for the top 24 rounds will determine who progresses to the top 20. The top 20 will be revealed on April 14, followed by the contenders' performances for a position in the top 14, which will be revealed on April 15.
The first voting period for the top 24 rounds begins with the East Coast broadcast of 'American Idol' on April 7 and closes at 4 am MDT on April 8. The second voting period begins with the commencement of the East Coast broadcast of 'American Idol' on April 8 and ends at 4 am MDT on April 9.
There are three methods to vote in 'American Idol':
Vote online at idolvote.abc.com (you must establish an account to vote).
Vote via the 'American Idol' app, which can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play Store.
Vote by text. During each "Idol" broadcast, a contender will be assigned a number that may be texted to "21523."
According to idolvote.abc.com, viewers can vote for up to 10 contestants using each voting method.
Who is in the 'American Idol' top 24?
The following singers have reached the top 24 on 'American Idol':
Jordan Anthony.
Jack Blocker
Odell Bunton Jr
McKenna Faith Breinholt
Abi Carter
Roman Collins
Jayna Elise
Elleigh Marie Francom
Julia Gagnon
Ajii Hafeez
Triston Harper
Jennifer Jeffries
Quintavious Johnson
KBlocks
Sam “Kayko” Kelly-Cohen
Mia Matthews
Hailey Mia
Will Moseley
Nya
Blake Proehl
Kennedy Reid
Kaibrienne Richins
Emmy Russell
Mackenzie Sol
'American Idol' Season 22 airs on Sundays at 8 pm ET on ABC.