American Idol season 21 was off to a fantastic start with its premiere episode, and there were some very memorable moments. The show welcomed back its long-time host Ryan Seacrest, along with the judging panel, which included Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan. The judges traveled to three cities, Las Vegas, Nashville, and New Orleans, in order to find the best undiscovered talent in America.
For American Idol season 21, not only did Lionel, Katy, and Luke give out several golden tickets, but they also awarded especially super talented contestants with one of three platinum tickets. One contestant from each audition city earned a platinum ticket, which allows them to skip the first round of Hollywood Week. In addition, for the first time ever, American Idol had a contest for America's Platinum Ticket, which was received by Elijah McCormick, whose audition will air in a later episode. Here are the most memorable moments from the American Idol season 21 premiere.
10 Ryan Seacrest & The Judges Meet Their American Idol Name Counterparts
One of the funniest American Idol premiere moments was when Ryan and the judges met contestants who shared the same names. Luke played piano with 27-year-old Goldsboro, North Carolina college student, Luke Uzzell Bryan, as he played guitar and sang Billy Currington's "Good Directions." Katy joked that she couldn't take two Luke Bryans on one show. She fell to the floor calling the situation a "fever dream." Katey Parry, a 21-year-old tour guide from Normal, Illinois, sang Queen's "Somebody to Love" in harmony with Katy. Las Vegas DJ Lionel Richie, who was named after the music superstar, had shortened his name to L-Rich. Ryan was also shocked to meet a woman named Ryan Secrest.
9 American Idol Judges Push Contestant Lucy Love To New Heights
When American Idol contestant Lucy Love, a 28-year-old stay-at-home mom from Holly Grove, Arkansas, finished her audition of "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye, the judges thought it was too gimmicky. Lionel said there was too much dancing and comedy, and wanted to see the artist inside of her. Lucy then sang "A Song for You" by Donny Hathaway. By demanding more from Lucy, the judges pushed her to fulfill her potential and deliver an emotional performance. She earned three yeses and a golden ticket to Hollywood.
8 Katy Perry Challenges American Idol's Lyric Medeiros To A Fight
Hawaii native Lyric Medeiros is the daughter of platinum and gold record-earning music artist Glenn Medeiros, whose biggest hit was "Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For You." The 21-year-old college student began her American Idol audition with Kelsea Ballerini's "Love Me Like You Mean It," but Katy demanded more from her. Lyric then belted Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats." This prompted Katy to physically push Lyric, and provoke her to come out of her shell more.
Lyric earned a yes from Lionel, and a no from Luke. When it came time for Katy to vote, she joked, "I need you to come up here and slap me across the face as hard as you possibly can." She told Lyric that she didn't think her polite and sweet personality was exactly her. However, Katy wanted to give Lyric a shot, and she gave her the yes she needed to earn a golden ticket to Hollywood.
7 American Idol's Haven Madison & Colin Stough Earn Golden Tickets
Haven Madison and Colin Stough are both teenagers who made big impacts on the American Idol competition. Haven, a 16-year-old high school student from Clarksville, Tennessee, was the first to audition. She sang an original song, "Fifteen," accompanied by her father, Jason Roy, on guitar. Haven's father is the lead singer of the Christian band, Building 429. She earned three yeses from the judges, along with a golden ticket to Hollywood Week.
Colin is an 18-year-old HVAC technician student from Gattman, Mississippi near Amory, and his mother signed him up for the show. He sang "Simple Man" by Lynyrd Skynyrd and played the guitar. The American Idol judges were excited by Colin's audition. Luke said that he was what American Idol was about, and Katy gushed that he had the magic in him. Luke said the performance was "raw, real, humble." The judges invited Colin's mom into the audition room, as they gave him his golden ticket with three votes of yes.
6 Michael Williams Blows Away The American Idol Judges
Michael Williams, a 21-year-old singer from Mason, Ohio, auditioned with "Talking to the Moon" by Bruno Mars. With his smooth vocals and effortless falsetto, Michael impressed the judges. Katy joked that she was flustered by the audition because it was so good. Lionel thought that Michael was the whole package, and not just a pretty face. Katy compared him to Shawn Mendes and Harry Styles, and called him "Top 10 material." Michael earned three votes of yes from the judges, and moved on with a golden ticket to Hollywood.
5 Zachariah Smith Brings Rock Back To American Idol
Zachariah Smith is the grill cook at the famous Bill's Hamburgers in Amory, Mississippi. The 19-year-old impressed the American Idol judges with his incredible rendition of "Hurts So Good" by John Mellencamp, and blew the judges away with his stellar vocals and confidence. Katy told Zachariah he was fun, and Lionel said that he wasn't a gimmick, praising his rasp and growl. Zachariah earned three votes of yes from the judges and his golden ticket to Hollywood. His fellow American Idol season 21 contestant Colin lives close by him, and bonded with Zachariah about auditioning for the show and Bill's Hamburgers. Zachariah and Colin will face off in Hollywood together.
4 American Idol Alum Lauren Daigle Surprises Megan Danielle With Duet
Megan Danielle, a 20-year-old server from Douglasville, Georgia, got the surprise of her life when singer and former American Idol contestant Lauren Daigle showed up to sing with her at her audition. Megan sang Lauren's song "You Say," with Lauren shocking both Megan and the judges by entering the audition room and joining in the song. Luke called Megan an "unpolished diamond." Megan earned three votes of yes and her golden ticket to Hollywood.
3 American Idol Contestant Iam Tongi Pays Tribute To His Father
Iam Tongi is an 18-year-old high school student originally from Kahuku, Hawaii, who currently lives in Seattle. His dad, Rodney, had passed away a couple of months before his audition. Rodney was the person who introduced Iam to music. Iam became very emotional before his audition, crying as he spoke to Lionel, Katy, and Luke about his dad. He sang a moving version of "Monsters" by James Blunt. Lionel and Luke were moved to tears during the song, and all three judges gave him a standing ovation. Iam earned his golden ticket to Hollywood with three yes votes.
2 Tyson Venegas Earns First American Idol Season 21 Platinum Ticket
Tyson Venegas is a 17-year-old high school student from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He had a speech delay when he was younger, and music helped him to develop his speech and express himself. Tyson sang "New York State of Mind" by Billy Joel, and captivated the judges with his perfect vocals and piano playing. Lionel, Katy, and Luke got chills from the gifted young singer's performance and gave him a standing ovation. They called his mother into the room, and praised his magnificent talents. They then awarded him with the first American Idol season 21 platinum ticket from the judges.
1 American Idol's Kya Moneé Pays Tribute To Late Contestant Willie Spence
Kya Moneé, a 21-year-old daycare worker from Austin, Texas, dedicated her American Idol season 21 audition to Willie Spence, during which she sang "I'm Here" from The Color Purple. The American Idol season 19 runner-up died in a car accident at age 23 in October 2022. His tragic loss brought unimaginable pain to the American Idol family. Kya met Willie when they were paired as duet partners and sang Rihanna's "Stay" during Hollywood Week.
Kya and Willie had remained close friends, and he helped her choose the song, since he was supposed to be there with her at the audition. Lionel, Katy, and Luke were brought to tears during the song and gave her a standing ovation. Kya earned her golden ticket to Hollywood with three votes of yes. Lionel said that Kya's performance was "so emotional, so heartfelt, so divinely guided." Kya's audition was the perfect way to honor Willie.
American Idol airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.