Following an emotional rollercoaster of a previous episode, “American Idol” returned on Sunday night with an episode that resonated strongly with Gen Z. The fifth episode brought to the stage a series of talented teenagers, proving that the future is indeed in the hands of the youth, at least for some of them.
In a night filled with golden ticket-worthy performances, 14-year-old Camilla Galavis took her chance in front of the judges, aiming for her Hollywood dream. However, her moment in the spotlight was somewhat dimmed by the presence of her father, Juan Pablo Galavis, a former contestant on “The Bachelor.” Now a manager in the social media industry, as Camilla introduced him to judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie, her father’s reality TV past became a point of intrigue.
Katy Perry, seeking clarification, asked, “The TV show? On ABC?” Indeed, she was referring to the show that aired a decade ago, featuring a 32-year-old Juan Pablo in a season that left many viewers and participants disillusioned. Not long after, Juan Pablo and his chosen finalist, Nikki Ferrell, went their separate ways.
The conversation took a turn when Perry questioned Juan Pablo’s intentions of exposing his daughter to the challenges of the competition. Juan Pablo defended his decision, suggesting it was Camilla who was ready to take on the challenge of stardom.
The previous week had seen a past contestant hijack their best friend’s audition to secure a golden ticket, adding to the drama and excitement of the season.
Camilla Galavis’s audition, however, didn’t quite hit the high notes expected of an “American Idol” performance. Despite her efforts, the judges noted that she struggled with the more challenging parts of her song. Bryan expressed his concern that she might not be ready and could find the competition overwhelming.
When it came time to vote, Perry went against Bryan’s initial decision, giving Camilla a “yes,” which led Bryan to also give her a chance. Perry warned Camilla of the hard work ahead, and Bryan remarked on how narrowly she had made it through, offering a somewhat subdued “You’re going to Hollywood.”
In a contrasting audition, Jayna Elise, returning from Season 21, showcased her growth as a singer with a unique rendition of Miley Cyrus’s “The Climb.” Her performance, marked by confidence and vocal improvement, earned her a standing ovation from the judges. Perry praised her for utilizing her feedback effectively, and Richie welcomed her back to Hollywood, stronger than ever. All three judges agreed, sending her through to Hollywood Week once more.
The episode also featured Julia Gagnon from Cumberland, Maine, whose performance of “Ain’t No Way” by Aretha Franklin was nothing short of breathtaking. Her powerful voice and emotional delivery left the judges in awe, with Richie and Perry predicting a successful journey in the competition for her.
In a twist of events, after awarding Julia a golden ticket, the judges realized their oversight in not recognizing the exceptional talent they had just witnessed. They quickly rectified their mistake by awarding Julia the third and final platinum ticket, propelling her directly to the second round of Hollywood Week. Richie summed it up by declaring her performance one of the most amazing they had ever seen on the show.