The next answer to the judges’ prayers could be 23-year-old Jay Copeland from Salisbury, Md., who belted out an amazing performance of “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours” by Stevie Wonder. Jay graduated from college two years ago, majoring in music, and was attending grad school this year for acting. He was given an ultimatum this year that he had to pick between the two, so he dropped out and chose American Idol. “I don’t know if I made the right decision or the wrong decision but I made the best decision,” he said. When Jay was done with his audition, Luke joked, “Finally someone with as many teeth as Lionel Richie.” And Lionel didn’t dispute it. He said, “I was just going to say that. You’ve got some great teeth brother. I’m going to tell you something. I’ve been alive a very long time and you don’t just jump on a Stevie Wonder song and do boxing with Stevie Wonder. You controlled it, you did it, you owned it and, on top of it, you were having so much fun. You might have lost the gift they were going to give you for your master’s, but the gift you are going to give American Idol is greater than anything you’ve ever imagined. Your talent is off the chain. There’s nothing for you to study anymore. We needed this. We’ve been waiting for you to walk through that door. I’m so happy you showed up.” Then Luke added, “Lionel said it. We’ve been waiting on a kid like you. Because you’re perfect in my opinion. You are going to be able to electrify a crowd ” And Katy told Jay, “Finally a competition. We think you are the perfect candidate for something. Twenty is usually platinum. [We are giving out] one platinum ticket in each city. You get to go to Hollywood but you get a shortcut. You are worth the platinum." American Idol will return next week when the hopefuls head to Hollywood. Next,American Idol 2022! Everything You Need to Know, Including the Two New Mentors and the Two Big Changes!
