Durham native auditions for 15th time on ‘American Idol.’ Is she going to Hollywood?
Fifteenth time’s the charm.
Durham native Ashley Tankard’s 15th audition for “American Idol” was the one that earned her a ticket to Hollywood to test herself on the ABC reality singing competition series.
The 22-year-old told judges she first auditioned when she was 15 years old.
She sang “You Broke Me First,” a song by Canadian singer Tate McRae.
Judge Katy Perry offered some constructive criticism, advising her to enunciate the lyrics more clearly, then try the song again.
After Tankard’s second go at the song, Perry applauded and judge Lionel Richie said “There you go.”
Richie and Perry gave Tankard the “yes” votes she needed to advance. Third coach Luke Bryan voted “no.”
Richie said after Tankard’s performance: “You have a ‘yes’ from me, that means one-two-three ...” and then “you’re going to Hollywood!” came from Richie, Perry and Bryan.
Tankard was ecstatic after her getting her Hollywood ticket.
“This is proof to anybody who wants to give up — do not give up,” she said. “If it takes you two times, if it takes you 15 times, if it takes you 100, it will happen. It happened for me. It literally just happened for me. I’m going to Hollywood!”
How to watch ‘American Idol’
“American Idol” airs at 8 p.m. on Sundays on ABC.
Auditions are on-going for the next few weeks and then the competitions begin in Hollywood.
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This story was originally published February 27, 2023 at 9:33 AM.
