During the second night of this season’s American Idol auditions, 20 year-old contestant, Kaibrienne Richins, absolutely wowed the judges with her performance of Zach Bryan’s 7x platinum hit, “Something In The Orange.”
Ahead of her audition, Kaibrienne shared that she was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease, a painful autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid gland, when she was in fourth grade. Her father showed up to the audition with her and choked up as he recounted the struggles they’ve faced throughout the years:
“It’s been a struggle to see the most beautiful girl in the world, who I know has more potential in the tip of her finger than I will ever have, struggle to regulate her emotions. She can be going from ‘this is the best thing in the world’ to turning her head towards you and saying she wants to die.“
KB also admitted that she’s happy she persevered through the deepest of darkest times:
“The nights that I felt like I couldn’t do it anymore, I’m just glad that I pushed through.”
And if that story (for whatever reason) didn’t immediately draw you in while watching the ABC singing competition, the second she opened her mouth with “it’ll be fine by dusk light” surely should’ve.
When the audition was over, all three judges, most notably Luke Bryan, admitted to being moved by her performance:
From the first note, I had like full body wave of chills…The coolest thing is you’re 20, you’re from a little ole small town in Utah, you have it. Great job.“
Luke Bryan
Although I used to love propping myself on the couch and turning on American Idol or The Voice, it’s been a while since watching an entire season has peaked my interest. You give me a dozen Kaibrienne Richins and I’ll be sure to tune in every week again.
Watch her incredible performance here: