Lionel Richie jumps out of his chair after platinum-worthy audition from American Idol teen: ‘So spectacular’
Canaan James Hill earned the final platinum ticket after the 17-year-old received a unanimous “yes.”
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/canaan-james-hill-lionel-richie-american-idol-033125-1-3cde11e457bd4b178f8766ca665a4e82.jpg)
Lionel Richie and Canaan James Hill on ‘American Idol’.Credit: Disney/Eric McCandless
American Idol may have saved the best for last.
The final round of auditions wrapped up on Sunday night, with a performance from 17-year-old high school graduate Canaan James Hill, who graduated early to pursue his calling of becoming a preacher. But after his performance before the judges, the Dallas teen might have a new career path to consider.
Hill’s rendition of “I Need Your Glory” by Earnest Pugh was so moving that judge Lionel Richie couldn’t sit still. The singer pushed his chair back, watched in awe, and then leaped up from his seat to congratulate Hill up close.
“That was powerful,” Richie said after the performance, with a hand on Hill’s shoulder. “You are so blessed. That was something so spectacular, I can’t even describe what I heard.”
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/canaan-james-hill-lionel-richie-american-idol-033125-4-9a8d2e5a59cf41deb0097568d550c7dd.jpg)
Lionel Richie and Canaan James Hill on ‘American Idol’.Disney/Eric McCandless
“You okay?” fellow judge Carrie Underwood teased as Richie returned to the table.
“No, I am not okay. Look where my seat is,” Richie said, gesturing to his pushed-back chair. “I had to sit back here to listen.”
Underwood then showered Hill with praise.
“The words velvet… butter… It was smooth but powerful,” she said. “Like, where have you been the last 17 years? Thank you for bringing your gift.”
All the while, Richie paced behind her, repeating words for emphasis: “Smooth but powerful… Thank you… Bringing your gift…” Richie said, punctuating the compliments with, “Hallelujah!”
Then came Luke Bryan’s turn. “I’ve never seen anything like it, Lionel,” he began.
“Never seen anything like it,” Richie repeated.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/canaan-james-hill-lionel-richie-american-idol-033125-2-7e1a50f4f30144bb8a0db5882b6b46b6.jpg)
Canaan James Hill, Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood on ‘American Idol’.Disney/Eric McCandless
“When you sing in church, what do people do? Do they just run to the baptism pit and jump in it and get saved immediately?” Bryan joked.
From there, the judges each delivered a “yes,” ending with Richie, who raced over to give Hill a high-five and a hug. And the celebration didn’t end there. Richie then walked away to retrieve the final platinum ticket of the year, presenting Hill with the extra special honor.
“It means you can bypass the first round of Hollywood [Week] and you get to sit back and watch all the people you’re gonna slay,” he explained. “I present this to you in front of the heavens above.”
Watch Hill’s full audition (and Richie’s ecstatic reaction) above.