Watch Georgia singer snag Top 9 spot on ‘American Idol’ with soulful ballad

Tanasia Kenney
·2 min read

Willie Spence delivered a “stand up” performance on the “American Idol” stage that launched him into the competition’s Top 9.

The Georgia man’s star continues to rise, wowing fans and judges with a set of pipes that have some predicting he’ll win it all.

Spence is now one step closer to the “Idol” crown after viewers voted for him to advance to the next round on Sunday night.

“I’m really at a lost [sic] for words, seeing all the support!” he wrote on Twitter after his performance. “I just wanna say thank y’all so much for Voting me in the Top 9.”

For Oscars Night, the 21-year-old blew away judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan with a soul-stirring rendition of “Stand Up” by Cynthia Erivo from the Oscar-nominated movie “Harriet.” Erivo portrayed formerly enslaved abolitionist and suffragist Harriet Tubman in the 2019 film, co-writing the song that earned her a nod for “Best Original Song.”

Spence channeled that energy Sunday in a performance that brought the judges and fellow “Idol” contestants to their feet. Richie called it “a religious experience.”

“You delivered the goods,” he told Spence. “Congratulations.”

Perry was equally moved and applauded the “powerful” performance.

“Thank you for taking all of the emotion, especially of this week, and using it in your song and singing like that,” Perry said. “That was so powerful. That cuts through that darkness.”

Bryan jokingly said he wouldn’t peg Spence as a front runner until the competition’s end — but some fans seem more than ready to crown the Georgia native as the next American Idol..

“He is killing it these last 2 weeks and I’m sure it wont be the last time,” one viewer commented on the show’s official Facebook page. “Loved him since his first audition. I think he just might be the winner.”

“Willie is hands down the VERY best on the show this year,” wrote another. “He not only has the voice of an angel but the combination of his stage presence, star quality and incredible humility is absolutely worth the win!!! He has something very very special.”

“American Idol” airs Sundays and Mondays at 8 p.m.

Will Smith ‘Emancipation’ film heads to New Orleans, ditching Georgia over voting law

Who is Caleb Kennedy? SC teen on ‘American Idol’ is making his small town proud

Watch Carrie Underwood belt out a song in Spanish at the Latin AMAs in South Florida

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next

Latest Stories

  • Junkyard Gem: 1992 Subaru SVX

    A 1992 Subaru SVX in a Denver self-service wrecking yard.

  • 25 of the very best hostess gifts that'll guarantee you an invite back

    Bring one of these finds from Nordstrom, Anthropologie or Amazon to your next soirée.

  • Patients scanned in A&E wait more than a month for results

    Emergency patients who have had a scan in A&E are waiting more than a month for results amid staff shortages, experts have warned.

  • Zuber Issa to sell off Asda stake amid rift with brother

    Zuber Issa is reportedly close to agreeing a deal to offload his 22.5pc share in the retailer to TDR Capital, according to Bloomberg News, which would hand majority control of the chain to the private equity giant.

  • Two people found dead after shooting in rural Marshall County

    Two people found dead after shooting in rural Marshall County

  • Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton can be disciplined for suit to overturn 2020 election, court says

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A Texas appeals court has ruled that Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton can face discipline from the state bar association over his failed effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election. A disciplinary committee of the State Bar of Texas accused Paxton in 2022 of making false claims of fraud in a lawsuit that questioned President Joe Biden's victory. On Thursday, a three-judge panel of the 5th District Court of Appeals said Paxton can be sanctioned by the committee be

  • Maya Le Tissier signs new deal with Manchester United

    The England defender has signed a contract extension.

  • Taxes 2024: With the deadline approaching, be aware of these tax changes

    Understanding this year's tax changes will help ensure Canadians make the most of their returns.

  • Netflix 'Rebel Moon — Part Two: The Scargiver': Zack Snyder on 'outrageous' critical response to films

    Zack Snyder has legion of supporters, but just as many harsh critics for Rebel Moon — Part Two: The Scargiver on Netflix.

  • Intermittent fasting is ‘nothing magical’, research shows

    Fashionable intermittent fasting diets are no better than standard calorie cutting for shedding the pounds, scientists have found.

  • Alberta municipalities, farmers agree to cut water use as drought persists

    Municipalities and irrigation districts in the western Canadian province of Alberta have agreed to use less water this summer to combat a severe ongoing drought, the provincial government said on Friday. Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz said water license holders had signed news memorandums of understanding covering four river basins in the southern half of the province. Alberta, which produces most of Canada's oil, natural gas and beef, plus big wheat and canola harvests, opened water-sharing negotiations among licence-holders for the first time in two decades as it entered its fourth year of drought this year.

  • NHL PLAYOFFS: 'It's wide open' is the theme as the race to the Stanley Cup begins

    General manager Don Waddell likes how his Carolina Hurricanes finished the season, winning 16 of their final 21 games. He knows it means nothing now. “Your points get erased and you all start with zeros,” Waddell said. “Playoffs are a different time. That’s what’s great about the NHL. Once you get to the playoffs, it’s wide open.” This year more than many in the recent past. Unlike last year, when Boston broke league records for the most wins and points in a season, there is no clear favorite to

  • Here’s Why Apple (AAPL) is in Contributor’s List of Polen Capital

    Polen Capital, an investment management company, released its “Polen Global Growth Strategy” first-quarter 2024 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. In the first quarter, the fund increased 8.10% gross and 7.81% net, respectively, trailing the MSCI ACW Index’s 8.20% return. The market dynamics that were in place at the end […]

  • This new Cincinnati restaurant has a chef's table, smoked drinks & picture-worthy desserts

    This new Cincinnati restaurant has a chef's table, smoked drinks & picture-worthy desserts

  • Black Unicorn Marathoners hold 10th annual celebrate and connect event

    The Black Unicorn Marathoners held their 10th annual celebrate and connect event at the Reggie Lewis center on Saturday. The event is held in honor of Marilyn Bevens, the first U.S.-born African American woman to run a marathon in under 3-hours. WCVB photojournalist Lee Harrington gives us a closer look.

  • Nebraska regents approve several projects, including next steps for Memorial Stadium, alcohol sales

    The University of Nebraska Board of Regents voted and approved several projects Friday, including the next steps for Memorial Stadium, alcohol sales at Haymarket Park and a residence hall at UNMC.

  • Swede Caroline review: this mockumentary about competitive veg growing is painfully unfunny

    2/5 A film that’s supposed to look amateurish also feels amateurish in its execution

  • Butler Hall Capital urges Vanda to engage in sales discussions

    On April 17, Vanda rejected a takeover proposal from Future Pak and adopted a shareholder rights plan to reduce the likelihood of a hostile takeover. Vanda had said Future Pak, a privately held contract manufacturer and packager of pharmaceutical products, had made an offer of $7.25 to $7.75 per share in cash, which significantly undervalued the company and was not in the shareholders' best interest.

  • Extremist Israeli settlers hit by EU and US sanctions

    Far-right group Lehava and several individuals accused of violence targeted in dual announcements

  • September Fed cut will help ease mortgage rates: Economist

    Thirty-year mortgage rates have hit above 7% with some experts believing it could hit 8% pretty soon. With US housing pricing and demand remaining high while supply remains low, it seems hopeless for many potential homebuyers. Mortgage Bankers Association Chief Economist Mike Fratantoni joins Wealth! to give insight into the housing market and why home buyers should have a little hope on the horizon as he believes mortgage rates will gradually decline. Fratantoni explains that he feels confident the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates this year, which will trickle down into the rest of the economy: "Mortgage rates, which I'll call it 7.25 [percent], in the most recent data, we think will be down to about 6.5 [percent] by the end of the year. It really is going to be reflecting a gradual slowdown in the strength of the economy and we expect the unemployment rate is going to rise not very much. We know they are calling for a recession but we do think there is going to be enough of a slowdown that the Fed should feel comfortable cutting rates by September of this year." For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Wealth! This post was written by Nicholas Jacobino