American Idol went to Katy Perry’s hometown of Santa Barbara, California for its first audition of the night, and 16-year-old singer Hailey Mia received a standing ovation for her rendition of Perry’s song “Rise.”
“We rose, we rose,” said Perry as the three judges stood from their seats to give Mia a round of applause. Perry also noted that she had full-body goosebumps during the performance, “even in places I’ve had Botox,” she joked.
Videos by American Songwriter
Mia showed up in Katy Perry’s hometown and sang a Katy Perry song, so of course there was no pressure. Still, despite the huge undertaking, she killed the performance, wowing Luke, Katy, and Lionel with her vocal range and tone.
People watching at home shared their excitement for Mia on social media. “She is SANGING Katy Perry! Beautifulllll,” wrote one Twitter/X user, commenting that she is definitely “top 10 material.” Others shared similar sentiments. “THAT was good. One of my favorite [Katy Perry] songs is ‘Rise,’ and she was amazing.”
American Idol host Ryan Seacrest posted about the immense pressure of singing Katy Perry in Santa Barbara, writing, “Singing a [Katy Perry] song in her hometown? No pressure.”
[RELATED: LIVE: ‘American Idol’ 2024 — Reactions, Results, and Recap from Season 22, Episode 2]
Featured Image by Momodu Mansaray/Getty Images
More Latest Music News & Stories
-
THE VOICE — "Cut Week Reality" Episode — Pictured: Adam Levine — (Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC via Getty Images) -
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – NOVEMBER 19: EDITORIAL USE ONLY Vince Gill, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, speaks in the press room during the 59th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 19, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images) -
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 31: Kacey Musgraves performs at Madison Square Garden on August 31, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Taylor Hill/WireImage) -
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 18: Julian Lennon and Sean Lennon attend the Stella McCartney "Get Back" Capsule Collection and documentary release of Peter Jackson's "Get Back" at The Jim Henson Company on November 18, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images) -
GLASTONBURY, ENGLAND – JUNE 29: Dolly Parton performs on the Pyramid stage during day three of the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton on June 29, 2014 in Glastonbury, England. Tickets to the event, which is now in its 44th year, sold out in minutes even before any of the headline acts had been confirmed. The festival, which started in 1970 when several hundred hippies paid £1, now attracts more than 175,000 people. (Photo by Jim Dyson/Getty Images) -
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 20: Mike Love of The Beach Boys performs during Riot Fest at Douglass Park on September 20, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Barry Brecheisen/Getty Images) -
THE VOICE — "Blind Auditions" Episode 3002 — Pictured: (l-r) Kelly Clarkson, Riley Green, Queen Latifah — (Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC via Getty Images)
