By Louis Chan
AsAmNews National Correspondent
Sonika Vaid made a brave attempt to go where no Asian American has gone on American Idol-to win the championship.
Her journey ended last name when Ryan Seacrest announced she had been eliminated from the top 5 of the show’s final season.
The 20-year-old Indian American from Martha’s Vineyard wowed both fans and the judges with her smooth ballads.
She received some of the strongest praise for her this season when judges lauded her for cutting loose last week with her performance of Idina Menzel’s Let It Go from Disney’s Frozen.
It wasn’t enough as fans voted her out of the top 5 leaving just LaPorsha Renae, MacKenzie Bourg, Trent Harmon, and Rapattoni.
You can check out Sonika’s farewell below.
Sonika was gracious on twitter after her elimination.
ThankU for the opportunity of a lifetime @AmericanIdol Heres the dwnload 4 the song I almost sang! https://t.co/twOsqCxTca #herestothefuture
— Sonika Vaid (@sonikavaid) March 25, 2016
American Idol also paid a nice tribute to her.
.@sonikavaid will be missed, but her future is SO bright! #Idol ❤️ pic.twitter.com/VKehH0ps6E
— American Idol (@AmericanIdol) March 25, 2016
The night before she sent out this message to her family and fans.
Hi guys and gals. Just wanted to say again how thankful and blessed I am to have you and without you this wouldn’t have been possible❤️
— Sonika Vaid (@sonikavaid) March 24, 2016
If u had told me I’d be here last year, I wouldn’t have believed you Regardless of tomorrow night, im so thankful 2 have made it this far.
— Sonika Vaid (@sonikavaid) March 24, 2016
Sonika’s top 5 finish was the best performance by an Asian American contestant since Jessica Sanchez in Season 11. Sanchez finished runner up that season.
The second best finish by an Asian American happened in season 3 when Jasmine Trias made it to the top three.
Sonika’s finish was the third best by An Asian American. As a finisher in the top 10, she will go on tour with the other top 10 finalists.
You can check out performances from other Asian American contestants and where they finished in Traktivist.
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