Shows like American Idol have been on TV for a long time now, and they're getting pretty stale. It takes something rather original to get people's ears pricking up. So, a recent contestant took the initiative, adapted a well-known song by Carrie Underwood, and managed to win over two out of three judges.
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Carrie Underwood is the all-American performer at the moment. Not only did she sing at the presidential inauguration, but she also sang the Sunday night NFL theme tune. "Waiting All Day for Sunday Night" has been blating out of TV screens for some time now and is familiar to anyone who loves the league.
But, it is hardly the first choice for American Idol contestants. Usually, they will opt for something a bit more predictable. Maybe a track you would hear on a karaoke lineup or even a cover of one of the judges' own songs. So, when Yani started belting out "Waiting All Day for Sunday Night," it took the judges by surprise.
The Original Choice For Her American Idol Audition Paid Off
Deciding to go for the Carrie Underwood NFL track was a risk, but it served her well. Yani has a voice the judges like, and she managed to nail the Carrie Underwood track. She gave it power and even a bit of performative pizzazz.
The judges got a bit of a chuckle out of the song choice initially, but as Yani continued, they realised she had something special, too. Her vocal control impressed them, and her occasional dance moves showed she had a bit of showmanship, too. "It's so far out in left field, but you're so damn good at it," Richie said of her original American Idol performance.
"You're clever," Carrie Underwood said of the song. "You're like, 'what have they not heard yet? What would be very different?" Of the three judges, she got two yesses and one no. Only Bryan said he liked the performance but didn't think she should go through.
The risky song choice was a gamble, but it paid off. It's nice to see someone taking a risk in their American Idol audition. Hopefully, she will continue to breathe a breath of fresh air into the show as she progresses.
