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Jill O’Rourke is a contributor at Talent Recap, writing news stories and recaps for shows like ‘AGT,’ ‘The Voice,’ and ‘American Idol.’ She graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in English and Film Studies, and has been writing about pop culture since 2012, with previous bylines at Crushable and A Plus. Jill spends her free time binge-watching sitcoms and daydreaming about life as a hobbit

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American Idol has shared an early release audition from this Sunday’s new episode of Season 22, featuring a 27-year-old singer named Nya. The judges were wowed by her powerful voice, calling her performance their favorite audition thus far.

Nya Auditions for American Idol in Early Release

Nya introduced herself to the judges as a Broadway performer. She revealed that she was recently in the cast of Caroline, or Change, and she also appeared in the off-Broadway musical Titanique. She shared that she’s Kenyan and grew up in Florida.

For her audition, Nya performed “Wait a Minute!” by Willow. The judges, especially Lionel Richie, were clearly blown away by her talent as she sang. All three of them gave her a standing ovation when she was done singing.

“Maybe my favorite performance or audition this year, thus far,” Luke Bryan told Nya. “The most impressive thing is you don’t sound Broadway … You are actually a massive singer, a massive personality.”

Richie told Nya that she has “effortless control,” and her “personality is already defined.” He added that she has what it takes to “go all the way,” as he agreed with Bryan that it was the best audition so far this season.

SEE ALSO: ‘AMERICAN IDOL’ HEADS TO JUDGES’ HOMETOWNS IN SEASON 22 PREMIERE

Katy Perry Gave the Singer a Fan

Judge Katy Perry told Nya that all she needs is a fan at her feet to give her hair a windswept effect. A crew member ended up handing her an electric fan, which Perry held for Nya, joking, “I’ll be your biggest fan.”

Perry actually knelt at Nya’s feet holding the fan under her so her hair would move as she performed a few more lines from “Wait a Minute!” Afterward, Nya laughed and said she was having “so much fun” with the judges.

“There is no de-Nya-ing that you are a star,” Perry told the singer before voting “yes” to sending her to Hollywood. Her fellow judges agreed, as they handed Nya a Golden Ticket.

Catch a new episode of American Idol Season 22 this Sunday night on ABC.

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