Although it is usual for artists to provide emotive performances during their auditions for American Idol, few have done so as well as Michael Rice. The 26-year-old went all the way from the UK for this chance, which he has wanted since he was a child. While his mother has always been supportive, his father has suffered with drug addiction for much of his life. They reconciled when Michael was 17, but shortly after, his father died of a heart attack.

Michael has a strong connection to Kelly Clarkson’s song Since U” since he has a father who battles with similar issues. It seemed fitting that he sang this during his audition. As poignant as it was for him to speak about his journey, nothing compares to the sheer emotion he displays when shouting out the words to this song.

If Michael gets frightened when singing, it is not obvious. Instead, he manages to make it even more painful than before. In turn, the judges are dumbfounded. Throughout the performance, they stare at each other, as if to wonder, “Is this really happening?”

Michael Rice gives an unforgettable American Idol audition. When Lionel Richie’s audition concludes, he encourages the other judges to join him in hugging Michael. Here, all three praise the singer’s ability to communicate his feelings so effectively via music.

“We have a lot of people that come in here and tell us a lot of things that are really horrible and tragic,” according to Katy Perry. “But rarely do they then follow it up with telling their story through a song that someone else wrote like they wrote it themselves.”

Before Michael’s performance, he expresses his desire to make his father proud, which he undoubtedly accomplished.