Tyson Venegas Lands Top 10 on ‘American Idol’ with Stevie Wonder Hit

Tyson Venegas once again stunned the American Idol audience with his voice.

The 17-year-old Idol hopeful took on Stevie Wonder’s 1968 hit “For Once in My Life.” Opening the song with a string of a cappella notes, Venegas turned into a star when the music kicked in. While his performance on the previous episode showed off his songwriting chops and subdued stage personality, he went to full-on star mode with this Wonder cover that showed off the soulful tones of his voice. The Canada native turned the Idol stage into a vibrant showcase where he kept the energy high from start to finish, the lively performance solidifying his place in the Top 10.

During the Top 20, Venegas proved he has a voice beyond his teenage years when he performed his original song, “180,” which touched on the topics of environmentalism and mass shootings. “I know who you are now, I know where your heart is, and therefore, I can fall deeper in love with you Tyson,” judge Katy Perry praised after the performance. “I think you’re on your way to being an artist.”

“When you are a singer-songwriter, you can write your future,” professed fellow judge Lionel Richie. “That was a damn good song.”

Venegas is a high school student from Vancouver, Canada, whose been singing since childhood. “Tyson, I am so proud of how far you’ve come,” his mother shared emotionally as they looked back on home videos from his youth. “You went from struggling to speak and communicate and then using music to help you. And now look at you, you’re on American Idol.”

Warren Peay, Iam Tongi, Haven Madison, Oliver Steele, Colin Stough, Marybeth Byrd, We Ani, Megan Danielle and Zachariah Smith are also in the Top 10. Idol continues airing on Sunday night at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

Photo Credit: ABC/Eric McCandless