Who is Deida Jeudy? Fans slam 'American Idol' Season 22 contestant as she clinches golden ticket with 'sob story'
TUSKEGEE, ALABAMA: 'American Idol' Season 22 contestant Deida Jeudy is a 15-year-old singer from Tavares, Florida. She started singing at a very young, and age and used to performing in elementary school. She has three younger brothers who suffer from a rare disease that causes blindness.
During the auditions, Deida reflected on the struggles of taking care of her younger brothers. The ABC show contestant shared, "When they are walking through the street make sure their surroundings away were cleared out." Deida noted, "You know sometimes it takes from time for yourself but it's always been my life."
The aspiring singer claimed, "So it was always a normal thing to me." Deida made the ABC show judges, Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie emotional with her backstory. They complimented the contestant, "You're an amazing sister to have around." The judges also awarded Deida a golden ticket and advanced her to the Hollywood Week.
However, the viewers criticized Deida and claimed that she clinched the golden ticket with her sob story. A social media user commented, "She seems like a nice young lady. But I'm sorry she sounded terrible. It's the sad stories that get the judges." Another person added, "This season has been one sob story after another, can we have one audition without one?"
Another internet user penned, "I really do hope they are able to help Deida bring her best out. She needs a lot of professional guidance and vocal coaching." Another YouTube user wrote, "Thought it was overdone histrionics and over singing, didn't see anything special, not ready yet, maybe a few more years of work, wont make top 24."
Another viewer suggested, "Not feeling this. The emotion is contrived, forced and she's not using good diction, more or less mumbling. She has a good voice but needs to learn how to use it. Those endless riffs didn't do the song any favors either."
Deida Jeudy performs for her brothers
'American Idol' Season 22 contestant Deida Jeudy performed Leon Bridges' song 'River' to impress the judges. However, she dedicated her performance to her younger brothers. The contestant admitted to the cameras, "My voice really was a big part of their life."
She added, "I always like, sang them to sleep and they would literally smile. I guess my voice was a comfort to them." Deida confessed, "I'm doing this for my three younger brothers because they love my voice. They're so encouraging. They're literally my motivation."
Katy Perry dubs Deida Jeudy's voice 'timeless'
'American Idol' judges especially Katy Perry was highly impressed with Deida Jeudy's voice and called it 'timeless'. Katy complimented, "Your voice is so timeless and you come off as like a cool 16 year old." The ABC show judges elaborated, "So you don't know that when you even open your voice, it's going to have like.... thousands of years of soul and pain and happiness."
She added, "You're just born with it." Meanwhile, Luke Bryan got goosebumps after Deida's performance. Deida also blew away Lionel Richie as he commented, "Every once in a while, someone will walk in and they are a natural. To hold that cry into a soft note... girl please thankyou."
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.