Payton Riley may not have punched her golden ticket to Hollywood, but the teenager made quite the impression on American Idol judges and viewers alike.
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Payton Riley Moves ‘Idol’ Judges With Self-Penned Breakup Tune
The 15-year-old Texan, who describes her vibe as “Christian & Country Songs with a Pop Flair, performed an original song, “Fireflies.” She choked up as she talked about the breakup that inspired the wistful track.
Payton sang sweetly of a “promise ring on my left finger” and “two-steppin’ on the truck bed.” It’s easy to see why those lyrics invited comparisons to another blonde, blue-eyed breakup ballad queen.
“The NEW Taylor Swift!!” one viewer wrote on X/Twitter. “FANTASTIC!!!!”
“Please Come Back”
After Payton’s performance, judge Katy Perry took some time to commiserate about teenage boys. The “California Gurls” singer talked about her first love, who unceremoniously dumped her in the Guitar Center parking lot.
“It gets better, and so do the songs,” Perry said. “And if you’re doing this at 15, you’re onto something.”
The 13-time GRAMMY nominee urged Payton to keep singing and writing. Ultimately, though, she denied the teenager a golden ticket.
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“It’s just because you’re in the growing phase, and I would hate to pull you out prematurely,” Perry told the teen. “I’d say try it in three years, at 18, and you’d have a real shot.”
Judge Lionel Richie also vetoed Hollywood for Payton based on maturity. Still, the “Endless Love” singer emphasized that “my dear, the sky is the limit for you.”
“Girlfriend, if you just go away for a hot moment and come back a little bit more tidied up, I think it’ll be a lot better for you,” Richie said.
In spite of the snub, all the judges agreed that Payton didn’t deserve three “nos.” Luke Bryan tossed Payton a “yes.”
“You are doing amazing stuff far beyond any 15-year-olds,” the “Crash My Party” singer said.
‘American Idol’ Viewers Are Already Calling for Payton’s Return
One X/Twitter user admitted the initial urge to roll their eyes at Payton’s teenage heartbreak. However, she won him over with her performance.
“WE WERE ALL THERE at that age in some way — and a VERY unique voice that’s only getting better as she grows,” the user wrote.
Another user shared similar thoughts. “Her voice is a little unformed but there is talent there and the song was really expressive and personal,” they wrote. “Turning pain into Art.”
Other users also looked forward to seeing Payton’s Idol star rise in the future. “We’ve all gotten to those points where people said no only for them to turn to yes’s later down the road,” one X/Twitter user wrote.
Stay tuned to see if Payton returns to Idol in 2027.
Photos via American Idol on YouTube & Amy Sussman/Getty Images
Disclaimer… I did not see Payton Riley’s audition, nor would I ever discourage or disparage young talent. In fact, I write this because I feel compelled to speak up on the young lady’s behalf…
“The new Taylor Swift?” Are you kidding me? “Anointed?” What? Imagine the delusion this puts in the head of an aspiring singer/songwriter, not to mention the stress. This kind of tabloid magazine click bate garbage is simply irresponsible… and that it’s published in a publication named “American Songwriter” makes it all the more indefensible.
First of all, to say that any young artist is the next anybody is ridiculous. There is but one Taylor Swift and will never be a “next Taylor Swift.” And, no one “anointed” Taylor to super-superstar status. She worked her tail off. At Payton’s age, Taylor was already co-writing songs with professional Music Row writers, songs that would eventually launch her career and rise to the top of the charts. She was also building a massive social media following, working tirelessly to build her brand and develop a loyal fan base. To think that one single performance of one single original composition would “anoint” this kid to become the Elvis/Beatles of the next generation is preposterous.
And, if Payton’s audition wasn’t up to the standards of at least two out of three Idol judges, what does that say about her talent level? To be real it’s doubtful that a 14 year old Taylor would have gotten an Idol golden ticket either. However, from what I’ve seen on this American Idol season, either Katy, Lionel, and Luke must be having issues with their hearing, or they’re not getting the level of talent this legendary competition has featured in the past. Because, time after time, they are letting singers through who wouldn’t get a single chair turn on The Voice, while praising them as sure-shot candidates for the Top 10. Such gushing over mediocrity makes the show unwatchable.
Leave Payton Riley alone. Let the kid work and develop her talent. If she has the goods and gets some breaks, she may have a shot at success. But she will never be Taylor Swift. If she makes it, she will do so because she is truly unique and special as herself. There already is a Taylor Swift and she’s taking up an entire galaxy in the firmament of stardom. One tiny twinkle from a teen age wanna be from Texas does not warrant any comparison.