American Idol unveiled a sneak peek at what is now dubbed as the season’s “best” audition, featuring Nya Trysha, a Broadway singer from Kenya.
Nya is among the artists who earned a golden ticket on Season 22 of American Idol.
The singer who just before her audition reveals she is a Kenyan who grew up in Florida opted to sing Willow Smith’s “Wait a Minute!” showing lots of flair and vocal fire prowess.
The judges were impressed, rewarding her with a standing ovation.
Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Katy Perry marveled as Richie, in particular, sang Nya’s praises through oohs and ahhs while she belted out a few very impressive runs.
Afterwards, Luke Bryan was quick to express his thoughts on the remarkable performance.
“Maybe my favorite audition or performance this year, thus far,” Luke Bryan said, unable to contain his enthusiasm for Nya’s audition.
The judges were particularly struck by the versatility of her voice, noting that she defied expectations of a typical Broadway singer.
“The most impressive thing is that you don’t sound Broadway,” Luke continued. “We have people who are right off Broadway and everything about them is “Broadway,” he added. “You are actually a massive singer.”
Also Read: Ruto Praises Young Kenyan Working for German Company
Nya’s American Idol Auditions
Lionel Richie couldn’t hold back his praise, declaring Nya’s audition the best of the season, expressing confidence in her potential to go all the way in the competition.
“What you have are the goods, I think, to go all the way. This is my best audition so far this year,” he declared.
Katy Perry was equally enthusiastic, going above and beyond by proclaiming herself Nya’s biggest fan and even orchestrating a music video moment, complete with a fan blowing Nya’s hair as she re-sang her audition song.
With approval from all three judges, Nya received three strong “yes’s,” setting the stage for what seems to be an exciting journey on American Idol.
“You have effortless control,” said Richie. “And your personality is already divine.”
Also Read: Kenyan Students to Get Full Sponsorship to study in Iran
Nya Trysha
Nya is a 28-year-old singer, dancer and actress from Manhattan, New York.
While speaking to a local TV station, Nya said she has always loved singing even from a tender age. “I’ve always wanted to sing and perform like before I even knew what performing was.”
Her earliest credit on AboutTheArtists is as part of the children’s ensemble in a production of “The Christmas Carol” that ran for a month in Milwaukee way back in 2012.
More recently, Nya’s been racking up an impressive resume, including nabbing the lead role of Cleopatra in an off-Broadway show by the same name in 2018.
She’s also performed in “Caroline or Change” (2020-21), in “Beautiful: The Carol King Musical” (2019-20) and co-starred in “Soul Doctor,” a 2023 movie musical. Nya plays the role of Nina Simone.
And, as she told the Idol judges, she has also been part of the recent Broadway show “Titanique,” both as a background vocalist and in the role of Molly Brown.
