American Idol singer Cay Aliese says she’s not following in her late father’s footsteps. As a substitute, she’s carrying the torch Nolan Neal lit and ran with on exhibits like The Voice and America’s Got Talent.
Aliese is the 24-year-old daughter of Neal, an achieved singer and songwriter who died after overdosing on drugs final summer time.
“He did not imply to die. He was a lightweight for different individuals and he could not discover that for himself,” she advised the American Idol judges throughout an audition that aired after the 2023 Oscars on Sunday (March 12).
- Neal was part of Adam Levine’s group throughout Season 11 of The Voice (2016). He was eradicated through the Knockout Spherical.
- In 2020 he appeared on Season 15 of AGT, performing a music referred to as “Lost” that was about getting sober.
- He was discovered lifeless in his Nashville condo on July 18.
After telling her father’s story to the three American Idol judges, Aliese — a mom from Dandridge, Tenn. — carried out an unique music referred to as “Metropolis of Nashville.” Music “makes me really feel nearer to him in a method,” she shares within the above video, though she additionally admits that at instances in her life, she centered on something however music to remain away from her dad’s legacy.
“He form of had file deal after file deal, alternative after alternative and he kinda saved blowing it,” she affords matter-of-factly, earlier than singing.
Speaking to the Knoxville News Sentinel, Aliese opened up about this push and pull. “I believe, in a method, I am form of carrying on the torch that I really feel like he ought to have been in a position to carry,” she says. “American Idol gave me the chance to simply actually undergo the grieving means of shedding my dad, but additionally discover the artist that I need to be whereas he isn’t right here and do issues for myself.”
Surprisingly, Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and Katy Perry did not love the audition. They questioned her emotional tie to the music, or at the very least her skill to point out it. Ultimately, the three felt the energy of her voice was sufficient to earn her a ticket to Hollywood.
It appears like American Idol viewers will see Aliese once more, however she could not transfer on to the ultimate rounds. She talks in regards to the judges prior to now tense, for instance, however she additionally shares she had time to satisfy somebody she calls a greatest good friend right this moment.
“It is like, American Idol, in so some ways, has modified my life,” she tells the newspaper.
Season 21 of American Idol will resume on Sunday (March 19).
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