Originally posted Saturday, February 22, 2020 by RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com on his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog
Two metro Atlantans from Jonesboro are going to get airtime on this Sunday’s second episode of “American Idol” on ABC.
One audition by 20-year-old Kay Genyse was posted Thursday on Facebook with an unusual tact: judge Katy Perry has her "sing for your life" on the streets of Savannah. Within two days, it has already been seen by more than 817,000 people by Saturday night.
Genyse, who moved to Jonesboro from Fantasia's home town of High Point, N.C. 18 months ago, is super confident. She came on strong entering at the audition. She even showed a fortune cookie fortune to them: "Your talent will be recognized and rewarded."
“God has a plan,” Kay said.
“God is not a God of confusion!” Katy Perry said.
She then sang Duffy's "Mercy" with plenty of energy and personality, but her vocals were a little "pitchy," as Katy said.
"I want you to know your showmanship is fantastic," Lionel Richie said. "But I'm not getting what you're trying to deliver. I can't get your voice to give me the showmanship."
Luke Bryan: "You're like this bright beautiful little shining light that deserves to be on stage but I think the voice has to truly catch up with the ability to hold the room... You're a few years from holding the room with your voice."
Luke said no. Lionel said yes. Katy was on the fence and decided to give her another shot by having her sing in the streets with a crowd. So she did and the crowd loved her. So Katy said she’s off to Hollywood.
“My strength is taking any song and making it fun,” Kay said in an interview Friday. “I was in my element.” She said she would sometimes go on the street and busk and make a few bucks.
Kay said her experience level is modest. She sings in church and did solos in musicals in high school (e.g. Ariel in “Little Mermaid”). But she had never taken a vocal lesson and appreciated the critiques by the judges.
“That’s what will help me grow,” she said. “Not the screaming and yelling and congratulations. I really value that.”
She is currently juggling two jobs at Subway and Dunkin’ Donuts to help pay for a vocal coach.
“I will get lessons,” she said. “I do see there’s a lot of potential in my voice.”
Cyniah Elise, 17, will be featured Sunday as well.
The R&B singer is a senior at Martha Ellen Stilwell School of the Arts in Jonesboro. She is from a family of singers and sang her first solo at age of two in church. “Every Thanksgiving, we sing,” she said. “Every holiday!”
Cyniah, who auditioned in Savannah as well, said she has done talent shows growing up and sings with a cover band for weddings and other events. She is fans of Tamar Braxton, Beyonce and H.E.R.
She brought 30 family and friends to Savannah to support her. Cyniah said her main focus is music. “No plan B,” she said.
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