[VIDEO] “American Idol”: 17-year-old Canadian impresses with an old classic

MISE À DAY

A British Columbia teenager won over the judges of the popular American Idol show, winning the first platinum ticket of the season.

Tyson Venegas, 17, thus benefits from a pass for the first elimination round of the show in Hollywood.

I hit the jackpot! I got the first #PlatinumTicket of the season and I'm heading to Hollywood! Thanks so much @katyperry, @lukebryan and @LionelRichie! #AmericanIdol #TysonVenegas pic.twitter.com/lUFeepb6yT

— Tyson Venegas (@tysonvenegas) February 20, 2023

It was with a piano-voice interpretation of New York State of mine that the teenager captivated the judges. “He claims to be 17, but he sings like he's 45,” Lionel Ritchie said.

Inspired from a young age by the judge of the popular American contest, Tyson prefers to stay away from current popular songs to sing more old hits. That's why his former vocal “coach” Camille Henderson wasn't surprised that he chose the song recorded in 1976 for his audition.

“We actually worked on this song together, it a long time ago. It's something he's had in his repertoire for some time. Tyson had some really classic song choices that were largely his own,” she said in an interview with the “Vancouver Sun.”

The teenager usually likes songs that are less popular with those friends.

“I mainly teach adults, but when it comes to kids, I would say Tyson is probably the most natural talent I've seen and, you know, there's a lot of adults I've worked with who are amazing and they've been kind of somewhere close to him, but he's a bit of an anomaly,” added the one who gave him voice lessons for four years.

Despite his choice of more classic song, the teenager was able to charm the judges who said that “perfection was there”.