Alyssa Wray, right, performed with singer/actress Katherine McPhee Sunday night on American Idol hoping to advance to the final 16. (American Idol Photo)
Being on stage with former American Idol star Katharine McPhee — runner-up in the fifth season of Idol in 2006 — did not intimidate Boyle County singer Alyssa Wray. After a solo performance of Carrie Underwood’s “Something in the Water,” Wray was joined on stage by McPhee — a successful recording star and actress. They were shown practicing Whitney Houston’s “I’m Your Baby Tonight” and they pulled it off flawlessly.
Wray was smiling and moving on stage while performing with an established star and looked like she had been doing this all her life. She got a “wow” from judge Luke Bryan because her personality is as contagious as her voice is booming.
“Watching you perform is like trying to keep a cap on volcanoes. She’s a pro (referring to McPhee) and you make it look like you have been doing this 100 years,” judge Lionel Richie said to Wray.
“You are the first singer to hold your own on stage with the other star,” judge Katy Perry said.
Bryan might have had the best compliment.
“You are giving me and all the judges just a star sparkle,” Richie said. “On stage with a star, you could still be your own star.”
Wray took to Twitter to call it an “electric moment” with McPhee.
National reviews immediately after the show were just as complimentary of Wray and several already have her making the American Idol top 10.
If you liked Wray’s performance, you can show it by voting for her — up to 10 times per voting method.
Half of the top 24 performed Sunday. The other half perform tonight. The top eight singers from each night in the fan voting will be revealed on April 11 and be this year’s top 16 on Idol.
Wray also did her best on Twitter to encourage fans to vote for her.
“NOW GO VOTEEEEE!!! Text 3 to 21523 (10 votes), go to the app (10 votes), and vote online at http://Americanidol.com/vote (10 votes),” she posted on Twitter.
