'American Idol' Season 22 fans left furious after Kyra Waits clinches golden ticket with her sob story

'American Idol' Season 22 contestant Kyra Waits revealed that her mother's singing dream was ruined because of addiction
UPDATED MAR 4, 2024
'American Idol' Season 22 contestant Kyra Waits advances to Hollywood Week (@abc)
'American Idol' Season 22 contestant Kyra Waits advances to Hollywood Week (@abc)

BEREA, KENTUCKY: 'American Idol' Season 22 contestant Kyra Waits recently stunned the judges, Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie with her emotional performance on Patty Griffin's song 'Up the Mountain'. She notably earned a golden ticket for her stellar performance. However, the viewers claimed that the contestant didn't have the voice to advance to the Hollywood week and slammed Kyra over her sob story.

During the introductory session, Kyra shared her emotional backstory. The ABC show contestant revealed that her mother was a singer for around 15 years but left singing because of her addiction. Kyra shared, "She was a bluegrass singer but she had a really hard life, So she just didn't know how to deal with it property and eventually, addiction came into her life, so her dream kind of got ruined."

Kyra further noted, "But she's been sober for a while now. My mom is rooting for me to go all the way. because she never got the opportunity. So I just want to make her and my whole family round." She also shared that she has been inspired by her mom and 'inherited' the singing skills from her adding, "Seeing my mom be a singer, I just always aspired to be like her."

However, the viewers were left furious over Kyra's sob story and penned in a Reddit thread, "I hate when a contestant's (or their loved one's) potential sobriety is a storyline. It's honestly Idol at its lowest." Another person added, "Wish we could see more auditions. Half the show is sob stories and the judges fucking around I swear lol."

Another critic noted, "I keep saying it, but what is going on this season? Have I become an annoying boomer feeling negative by everything happening? We see like 6 auditions and the rest is sob stories and judging shenanigans." Another internet user penned, "I thought the first part was excellent, then she kind of lost control towards the end." Another viewer penned, "Kyra has talent, but the oversinging is a problem. You can hear her ruining her voice."

Kyra Waits shares her emotional backstory (@abc)
Kyra Waits shares her emotional backstory (@abc)

Kyra Waits leaves 'American Idol' Season 22 judges in tears

'American Idol' Season 22 contestant Kyra Waits' performance left the judges Luke Bryan and Katy Perry in tears. She also received a standing ovation from the judges including Lionel Richie. After her performance, Katy asked, "I know it's all about god's timing but why did it take so long." Kyra responded, "I don't know I guess I wasn't given enough. I tried my best today."

Katy commented on Kyra's performance, "I can tell it was great. You were a little bit unrehearsed and a little bit not completely in control of your massive talent but you've got a huge voice in there that needs some shaping. You're a different kind of diamond in the world."

Luke was impressed with Kyra's performance and noted, "Great big big big voice. I love the cry that you've in your voice. I love the volume. You just roll and young and new at all this." Kyra also managed to amaze Lionel as the ABC show complimented, "You might be in this 100 million times as you say but one thing that was clear to me when you went to that note of the full scream."

He added, "I thought she is not going to let this door close, not one more time." Lionel further noted, "I felt all of your energy go through your way through this thing. And I think that it's going to serve you well."

Kyra Waits leaves 'American Idol' Season 22 judges in tears (@abc)
Kyra Waits leaves 'American Idol' Season 22 judges in tears (@abc)

Kyra Waits auditioned for 'American Idol' five times

'American Idol' Season 22 contestant Kyra Waits was able to audition in front of Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and Katy Perry for the first time but she did have auditioned for the ABC show previously. Kyra revealed in the episode that she had auditioned for 'American Idol' five times and it "took a lot of hard work to get here, So I'm grateful to her here."

As she grabbed the recent opportunity, Kyra hoped the audition would change her life. The ABC show contestant reflected on her efforts and noted, "I've tried out a million times. Being at 'American Idol; is a dream come true. It's all I've ever wanted." She explained, "I've watched it since a young age and just imagined myself being on there."

Kyra Waits auditioned for 'American Idol' five times (@abc)
Kyra Waits auditioned for 'American Idol' five times (@abc)

Catch new episodes of 'American Idol' Season 22 every Sunday at 8 pm ET on ABC. The latest episodes will be available to stream next day on Hulu.

RELATED TOPICS AMERICAN IDOL (2002)

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