See the 'American Idol' Contestant Who Makes Katy Perry Cry
McKenna Breinholt
American Idol is returning to ABC for an all-new season later this month but first Parade has a sneak peek of McKenna Breinholt’s audition and the emotional family reunion that brought Katy Perry to tears.
McKenna, 25, from Gilbert, AZ, told the judges that she was adopted when they asked her if her family also sang.
“I found out I was adopted as early as I could understand it,” she explained. “My mom struggled for several years trying to get pregnant and eventually they decided to go through the adoption process. I have the best family in the world. They’ve always supported me. When I was 21, I sat my parents down and told them to tell me any information they had on my birth mom. They told me her name was Amy Ross Lopez. She was a musician and she had passed away. I just wanted to know where I came from.”
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So, McKenna did a search for her family and just this last summer, she was in contact with them for the very first time over FaceTime.
When Katy asked if she had met them, McKenna said, “No, we’re meeting in three weeks. I feel like I’ve known them my whole life.”
Then McKenna sang “There Was Jesus” by Zach Williams and Dolly Parton, while playing the piano.
Meanwhile, Idol takes viewers into the hallway where Ryan Seacrest is talking to both McKenna’s adoptive family and birth family, who are there to surprise her.
After McKenna finishes her audition, Katy says, “You’ve got a great voice, really signature and raspy and interesting.”
Luke Bryan adds, “You’re very in control of what you’re doing. You’ve very in control of being at the piano, and you’re in control of singing. You’ve got that figured out. I thought it was great.”
And Lionel Richie says, “I love exactly what you did. I love the sound of your voice, and I’m just anxious to see what you’re going to do with this.”
Katy asks McKenna if she’d like to bring her family in for the verdict as to whether she got a ticket to Hollywood or not, and when McKenna opens the door and sees both families, she bursts into tears.
When the judges ask what’s happening, McKenna says, “They’re here! My birth family is here!”
Cut to Katy pretending not to cry but failing miserably.
The verdict on the Golden Ticket to Hollywood remains to be seen, but it’s a good chance that McKenna is moving on.
Tune in to American Idol 2024 when it premieres Sunday, Feb. 18 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC to find out.
