Alyssa Wray is swinging hard to be American Idol

American Idol is making Alyssa Wray‘s dreams come true.

In the latest season 4 episode, judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie were introduced to the 18-year-old contestant from the small town of Perryville, Kentucky. In her opening AI clip, Alyssa shared that growing up she always felt different and she eventually embraced it as her “superpower.”

For her Idol audition, the college student performed Jennifer Hudson‘s “I’m Changing” from Dreamgirls and earned a standing ovation from the judges. In the end, Alyssa received three resounding “yes” votes and was given a golden ticket to Hollywood.

Over on Twitter, the Idol judges congratulated Alyssa again after watching back her incredible audition. “Wow, I feel like I just became a part of history. This girl is going places,” Luke wrote. “You had us out of our seats! @itsalyssawray that is how you close the show!” Lionel said. “[You] felt like an alien cause singing on a stage is where you belong @itsalyssawray. Park your spaceship from Perryville and join the rest of us weirdo artists,” Katy tweeted.

Meanwhile, many Idol fans took to social media to express their excitement.

“Definitely a favorite!! Can’t wait to hear more!” a fan wrote on Twitter. “Alyssa is the next American Idol. Guaranteed! And there is a ton of talent this year,” someone else said. “She was incredible! I really think this girl could win the show. She has all the right tools. Love, love, love!” a different fan added.

After her moving performance, Alyssa took a moment backstage to take it all in. She admitted in a follow-up interview that she was more surprised than anything else.

“I did not expect the judges to stand up in my song. I was so nervous before and the minute they stood up, it was like all the worries just faded away and I could just exist and perform and connect with them.”

I am thinking she is a front runner. top 10 for sure. Her duet with Grace Kinstler and Katerine Mcphee was on point.

Alyssa Wray is putting in work she really is a sweet person. She needs this because she from a small town that has nobody watching. If she goes far in the competition she can get a shot.

https://youtu.be/hwiTXHeXb_Q?t=26

https://youtu.be/Qg52eEdyBCY?t=4

https://youtu.be/WW_Oaz8dwoo?t=7