Top 10 Most Emotional American Idol Auditions
#10: Kelsie Dolin
This 18-year-old taught us all that you should never let anything stand between you and your dreams. Dolin confessed that she struggled with confidence and admitted she’d previously dealt with stage fright. However, she decided to audition in honor of her late grandmother, who had always been her biggest cheerleader. From the moment she opens her mouth to sing, there’s a magnificent transformation. Then, with a little coaxing from the judges, she truly opens up and sings her heart out. Saylor Woodmansee’s audition that season also hit us hard in the feels. She captures the heartbreak of her dad walking out while boldly showcasing her resilience.
#9: Trey Louis
From the moment he opened his mouth, we could feel in our gut that he was singing from a deep, soulful place. He chose to sing “Stone” by Whiskey Myers, and his voice just soars, infusing every note with raw emotion. After the number, he shared that he was a survivor of a firearms incident at his school and that he wanted to bring a little light back into his community. The judges, especially Katy Perry, were visibly moved. She broke down in tears, echoing what many viewers likely felt. Louis’ warm vocals and heartfelt delivery are captivating, but knowing the immense heart he pours into the performance adds another layer of depth.
#8: Sam Finelli
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Finelli overcame a lot of nerves to chase his dreams, starting with singing Kacey Musgraves’ “Rainbow” at his audition. Finelli shared that due to being autistic, connecting with others often proved challenging, but music always provided solace. He might not have been accustomed to singing publicly, but his voice deserves to be heard far and wide. He seems to transport to another realm when he sings, pouring his entire being into each moment. The judges gave him a standing ovation, and we wholeheartedly joined in. Finelli just has one of those voices that makes you stop in your tracks and listen intently, and just the most gorgeous soul to match.
#7: David Francisco
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In this season, Brandon Elder hit us deep in the feels with his beautiful song “Gone,” dedicated to his late adoptive mother. David Francisco, whose life was changed drastically following a road accident, also showed us the healing power of music. Given what he’d been through, Francisco’s spirit is something else. His love of life, music, and his fiancée left a lasting impression and had us reaching for the tissues. Emotions ran high among the judges, too, prompting them to stop him while they could still get out their final thoughts. We wish we could’ve also gotten in on those hugs, but we were delighted when they sent him through to Hollywood.
#6: Taylor Fagins
In 2022, Taylor Fagins auditioned with a poignant original song about the tragic incidents of violence and loss of life that have affected Black communities in America. His song “We Need More” pays tribute to Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor and the enduring struggles of others who have been failed by systemic racism. Fagins shared that he wrote the song shortly after George Floyd’s death, feeling compelled to raise his voice against injustice. When he finished, he was met with silence as the judges let the moment wash over them. The soul-stirring lyrics and profound emotion underscore the power that music has to evoke deep feelings and inspire change.
#5: Marcio Donaldson
Marcio Donaldson was accompanied to his audition by his adorable 6-month-old baby. He opened up to the judges about his challenging childhood and the life-changing moment he adopted his then-week-old nephew, whose mother faced substance use disorder, hoping to offer the stability he lacked as a kid. Singing Labrinth’s “Jealous,” Donaldson’s soul permeates every word, sending our tear ducts into overdrive. The authenticity of his sound and heartfelt delivery blended with the story of his history, passion, and hopes for the future, creates a powerful whirlwind of emotion. Although he didn’t win the competition, he undeniably captured the hearts of everyone watching.
#4: Nick Townsend
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Nick Townsend and his family faced the unimaginable pain of having two brothers take their own lives. However, even during the darkest moments, Nick felt a strong need to chase his dreams for them. There’s a lot to unpack—his heartbreak and his guilt—but most importantly, his strength shines through in his music. He chose to sing James Bay’s “Let It Go,” and you can really feel he’s singing directly to his brothers. No doubt, they would’ve been proud. 17-year-old Shayy Winn is another contestant from that season who showed what resilience truly means. Having lost her sight the previous year, she was determined to prove she could “Rise Up” no matter what.
#3: DJ Johnson
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In 2021, Ash Ruder moved us with a touching song about reconnecting with her father— it just happened that his birthday coincided with her audition. 18-year-old DJ Johnson also performed an original song called “Scars,” inspired by her estranged mother. The lyrics eloquently relay the pain and anguish her mother left behind, and she sings it with her whole heart, really making us feel every word. Mid-performance, she breaks down, but with her dad there, she’s able to power through. You can see the heartache on his face, getting us choked up all over again. Seriously, try not tearing up listening to her – it’s a challenge!
#2: Tyler Allen
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Allen poured his heart into his performance, dedicating it to his nephew and sister, whom he’d lost to a terrible accident months earlier. From the moment he mentioned he’d be singing Whitney Houston’s “I Believe in You and Me” – the song he used to sing to his nephew – we were a mess. Taking on Whitney is no easy task, but he quickly proves he has the talent, voice, and star power to do it justice. We could barely see through our teary eyes, but we could feel the emotion in his heartfelt performance. Channeling his pain through the power of his voice, he had everyone, including Perry, ugly crying, hard.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Alanis Sophia
The 19-Year-Old Pulled at Our Heartstrings Singing Demi Lovato’s “Anyone” into the Toy Microphone Her Mom Gave Her as a Kid
Cam Amen
He Broke Our Hearts with His Touching Backstory & Soulful Rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”
Chris Medina
He Dedicated The Script’s “Breakeven” to His Fiancée Who Had Been in a Life-Altering Accident Shortly Before They Intended to Marry
Hollywood Anderson
How Can You Not Melt at This Original Song Dedicated to His College Bestie?
Noah Thompson
The Season 20 Winner Captured the Hearts of Everyone from His Very First Performance of Kameron Marlowe’s “Giving You Up”
#1: Iam Tongi
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From the moment Tongi revealed that he’d recently lost his father, who had encouraged him to pursue music, we weren’t sure if he’d be able to get through his audition. However, then he starts singing James Blunt’s “Monsters,” and it’s almost too much for our hearts to bear. His voice’s authenticity and pure quality make you feel every emotion. He won everyone over right there and then, keeping us hooked through the finals and ultimately leading to his victory. As if that audition didn’t wreck us enough, Tongi confesses that he gets emotional, envisioning his father harmonizing alongside him. We could watch this repeatedly and cry just as hard every time.
Is there another “American Idol” audition that sang its way into your heart? Let us know in the comments
