For 19-year-old Myra Tran, paradise was anything but last night. Judges on American Idol failed to advance the former winner of The X Factor Vietnam in 2016 to the top 20 of the ABC show which originated from Hawaii.
When she auditioned, judge Luke Bryan compared her to one of the best singers ever to emerge from the entertainment competition.
“You’re up there with the Kelly Clarksons of the world,” he said after she sang Jennifer Hudson’s One Night Only.
Judges sang a different tune following Tran’s performance of How Far I’ll Go from Moana at the Aulani Resort in Ko Olina, Hawaii.
“We watched you last night and for whatever reason the song you did last night was not 100% compared to the competition,” said judge Lionel Richie. “Unfortunately, it will not take you to the next phase of this competition.”
Tran who has only been in the US for a year did not appear to have any family there to watch her, or at least anyone who wanted to be on TV. Ryan Seacrest consoled Tran.
“Let’s give Myra a round of applause. She did not get the news she wanted,” he said as he brought her to the other contestants.
They not only applauded, but gathered around her for a group hug.
“I did not sing good. And now [my] American Idol dream is done,” she said to the camera.
The news is much better for Jej Vinson on The Voice. Last week the Filipino American won his battle round and will go on to the live show to compete.
Vinson’s family immigrated from the Philippines in 2015 to Flandreau, South Dakota. He comes from a family of singers who have toured as a choir, according to KDLT-TV.
“We’re are just so happy he made it to The Voice and could represent Flandreau, the Filipinos,” says Jej’s former choir director and family friend Leonabelle Berdida to the TV station.
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