Mattie Pruitt’s talent far surpasses her years. The 16-year-old American Idol standout once again wowed during the April 28 episode, performing Kelly Clarkson’s “Because of You.”
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“It’s a little intimidating, but if I take it and make it my own maybe I won’t get compared to her,” Pruitt said of covering the former Idol winner’s single.
She did just that with the track, infusing it with her signature tone and grit during her time on stage.
As usual, the judges were impressed by Pruitt’s innate capabilities, which were also on full display the night prior when she made the Top 12 with her performance of Janis Joplin’s “Piece of My Heart.”
Of her Monday night performance, Luke Bryan told the teen, “I mean, 16 out here going toe-to-toe with everybody… You’re just doing so good.”
“You just stood there with confidence,” Lionel Richie said. “That’s a heavy lift you just did, but you did it well.”
Carrie Underwood encouraged the teen to “keep leaning into” the emotional connection she feels to the songs she sings.
Mattie Pruitt Opens Up About Her American Idol Journey
In an interview with Billboard, the season’s youngest competitor opened up about the challenges her age presents during the competition.
“I have to go to school and [the other contestants] are all having fun,” she said. “But a lot of people here are good at making me feel comfortable and the same age as them, which I love so much.”
It’s not just high school material Pruitt is learning during her Idol tenure.
“The most important thing I’ve learned here is to not listen to the people who try to bring you down,” she said. “Even at school, a lot of people will be jealous. Sometimes there’s a negative feeling when I’m there. You have to remember to stay true to yourself and be humble and kind. They have their own things going on. You’ve just got to focus on yourself.”
Photo by Eric McCandless/Disney via Getty Images
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