Who is Amari Keys? 'American Idol' Season 22 contestant started singing to survive homelessness
WATERBURY, CONNECTICUT: 'American Idol' Season 22 contestant Amari Keys is an aspiring singer hopeful of winning a Golden Ticket to Hollywood with her soulful audition.
She performs in the upcoming episode of the ABC show to serenade the judges, Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie. Amari started singing at a very young age, not just for passion, but to survive homelessness.
In a recent interview, Amari revealed, "I started singing probably around the age of 11." The ABC show contestant further shared, "I was homeless at the time. My mom and I were just struggling."
Amari recalled that she was casually singing and a person stopped by and complimented her voice. She recalled, "They were like, 'You have a voice. You can make big bucks with that.'"
Amari elaborated, "I kind of latched on to that first, and it became a way of coping and emoting, and it became something more than just financial stability." Amari would grace the ABC show stage and perform Britney Spears' song 'Toxic'.
'American Idol' Season 22 star Amari Keys reflects on her transition
'American Idol' Season 22 star Amari Keys recently underwent a transition. The contestant has documented her journey on her social media and shared in her Instagram post that she was scared to sing after her transition. She also took a hiatus from singing for a few years.
However, Amari returned to performing for the first time after her transition with 'American Idol'.
She shared, "@americanidol is the first time I’ve gotten back out there, I didn’t make as many friends as everyone else; I don’t know if it’s because I’m trans, or if I just was anti social, but I’m tried of pretending." Amari claimed that this was her first step "at loving myself and putting myself first."
The aspiring singer then showed gratitude to her followers who wanted to stay with her during her journey claiming, "just trying to love myself more at this point."
Amari accompanied her statement with a video of her singing and revealed that she was in the hospital with her "boyfriend for the past 2-3 days so my voice may be a little tired."
How old is 'American Idol' Season 22 contestant Amari Keys?
'American Idol' Season 22 contestant Amari Keys was 29 years old at the time of her audition. The aspiring singer was 'terrified' while auditioning for the ABC show as it was her last chance for the tryouts. before she aged out.
ABC show contestants need to be between the ages of 15 and 29. Amari shared with the outlet that she would have probably "regretted it had I not (done it), because this is the last year I could have auditioned for the show."
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.
