Updated: Feb. 2, 2023, 9:o6 A.M.
Teen from B.C. wows judges with his piano and vocal rendition of Billy Joel classic
Charmaine Y. Rodriguez
Described as a “natural talent” by his former vocal coach, 17-year-old Tyson Venegas gave American Idol judges goosebumps and moved another one into near tears with his version of “New York State of Mind” in the 21st season of the show.
Venegas of Port Moody, B.C. is now in Las Vegas to audition for the singing competition.
“You sang notes and runs that I felt in my body, like I haven’t felt in a long time,” Katy Perry said. “I felt so connected, I felt alive.”
Luke Bryan added: “You are exactly what we look for, what we pray for.”
As for the third judge, Lionel Richie, who said the performance was “spot-on perfection,” Venegas’ mother, Iris, replied that her son was inspired by the former.
“Tyson was inspired by you,” Iris told Richie, “and that’s where he learned to sing from his heart and tell stories.”
To which Richie replied: “We’ve flipped the switch. I inspired him back then. He just inspired us today.”
A platinum ticket gives Venegas a bye through the first Hollywood Week elimination round. After mother and son left the stage Sunday, the judges said Venegas was one of the “most special” and “most gifted” contestants they’d ever seen, the vancounversun.com reported.
“He’s claiming to be 17 years old,” Richie said post-performance, after asking Venegas to fetch his mom Iris to the stage from where she watched in the green room, “but he’s performing like a 45-year-old.”
Venegas has always picked classics for contests.
By seven, he was the winner of the B.C. Junior Talent Contest at the Cloverdale Rodeo and at eight he finished in first place in the PNE’s 2013 Star Showdown, performing the 1946 Nat King Cole standard (Get Your Kicks On) Route 66, beating out kids as old as 12, the report added.
The platinum ticket, which was only introduced last year in American Idol in celebration of the show’s 20th anniversary, is only given to one performer in each of the three audition cities, according to a Rappler.com report.
Platinum ticket holders get to skip the first round of performances during the Hollywood week and be able to watch the performances from the sidelines.
Prior to American Idol, Tyson also joined the second season of The Voice Teens Philippines. He qualified for the battle round under Team apl.de.ap, but had to leave the competition before the Knockouts, it added.