Fans of 1980s music were in for a big surprise on Sunday night’s episode of ABC’s American Idol when the daughter of a famous musician auditioned.
The 23-year-old singer immediately turned heads when she was accompanied by her famous father, whom judge Lionel Richie immediately recognized.
She revealed before singing the song, This Tattoo, that she wrote it with her famous father, adding that she chose Idol because the show offered her the chance to showcase original songs that she wrote, unlike other competitions.
With her father joining her on stage and accompanying her on guitar, Kaya received the yes from all three judges, Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan, advancing to the competition’s Hollywood stage.
Can you guess who this mysterious singer and her father are?
Daughter and father: Fans of 1980s music were pretty shocked on Sunday night’s episode of ABC’s American Idol when the daughter of a famous musician auditioned.
Guess Who?: Can you guess who this mysterious singer and her father are?
They are Kaya Stewart and her father Dave Stewart, who founded Eurythmics with Annie Lennox in 1980.
As soon as Kaya, Stewart’s daughter with Dutch photographer Anoushka Fisz, and Stewart walked into the room, Lionel Richie was stunned.
‘Oh wait, what? Who is the backup musician? Richie said, when Kaya introduced her and her father, when Perry realized who her father was.
‘Oh Lord. Blast from the past! Perry said, as Kaya explained in a video package she was going to show, “when I was still in my mom’s tummy.”
Richie recalled that he and Stewart were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame together in 2022, adding, “It was a night we’ll never forget.”
Richie told Dave, “Just having you with your daughter is great,” and Kaya added, “Me too.”
The video package revealed that Kaya stated that the ‘musician lifestyle’ has always been a part of her life and that there was ‘no question’ whether or not she would get involved in music, adding: ‘That was always going to be what i was doing. do.’
Perry asked what with all of her father’s connections what made Idol right for her, Kaya said, “A big part of me was being able to sing my own music,” adding, “I think that opened up a whole new world for me.” my”. .’
Dave and Annie: They are Kaya Stewart and her father Dave Stewart, who founded Eurythmics with Annie Lennox (both seen above in a 1985 photo) in 1980
Stunned: As soon as Kaya, Stewart’s daughter with Dutch photographer Anoushka Fisz, and Stewart walked into the room, Lionel Richie was stunned.
Hall of fame: Richie recalled that he and Stewart were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame together in 2022
Never: Richie added: “It was a night we will never forget”
Great: Richie told Dave, “Just having you with your daughter is great,” and Kaya added, “Me too.”
New World: Perry asked what with all of her father’s connections what made Idol right for her, Kaya said, “A big part of me was being able to sing my own music,” adding, “I think that opened up a new world for me. world”. world for me’
He added that he would sing a song he co-wrote with his father and that he “wouldn’t have it any other way” as Richie loved that Idol was becoming “a creative destination for artists”.
She sang This Tattoo for the judges with Stewart accompanying her on acoustic guitar, earning her high praise and a standing audition from the judges.
After the song, Dave Stewart quipped, “This is a lot harder than getting into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.”
Richie said, ‘I’m going to tell you the truth, because the truth is who we are. So first of all, from the songwriting part and the pressure of being here, I give them a lot of props. And the fact that your father showed up, I support him. I mean, there are a lot of accessories here.
‘In the midst of all this, you killed him. I love the tone of your voice and you are an artist; you really are an artist,’ added Richie.
Bryan added, “This is a tough competition,” but added that he thought she was ready “to jump in the middle of all this” and was looking forward to hearing more.
Perry added that they get really “technical” on the show and will “probably be a little bit pickier” with her because she knows her business.
All three judges gave Kaya a yes, sending her to the Hollywood round of the competition.
Song: She sang This Tattoo for the judges with Stewart backing her on acoustic guitar, earning her high praise and a standing audition from the judges.
Harder: After the song, Dave Stewart quipped, “This is a lot harder than getting into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.”
Truth: Richie said, ‘I’m going to tell you the truth, because the truth is who we are. So first of all, from the songwriting part and the pressure of being here, I give them a lot of props. And the fact that your father showed up, I support him. I mean, there are a lot of props here’
Picky: Perry added that they get really “technical” on the show and that they’re “probably going to be a little bit pickier” with her because she knows her business.
All Yes: All three judges gave Kaya a yes, sending her to the Hollywood round of the competition.
Stewart formed the Eurythmics with Annie Lennox in 1980, after the two had been in a band called The Tourists which broke up later that year.
Their first album, In the Garden, was released in 1981 to little fanfare, but their second effort, 1983’s Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This), was an international success.
They would go on to sell a whopping 75 million albums worldwide and won Best New Artist at the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards.
While Lennox eventually had a successful solo career, Stewart became much in demand as a writer and producer.
He co-produced Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ 1985 album Southern Accents and co-wrote the smash hit Don’t Come Around Here No More.
Stewart also co-wrote and co-produced tracks for Mick Jagger’s 1987 Primitive Cool, and also wrote and produced for the likes of Bon Jovi, Ringo Starr, Stevie Nicks, No Doubt and many more.
He also created and executive produced the NBC series Songland for emerging songwriters finding their way in the music industry.
Stewart’s daughter Kaya, previously a 2016 self-titled album and a 2021 EP called Miss Kaya.
Co-founders: Stewart formed Eurythmics with Annie Lennox in 1980, after the two were part of a band called The Tourists that broke up later that year.
Huge success: Their first album, In the Garden, was released in 1981 to little fanfare, but their second effort, 1983’s Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This), was an international hit.
Producer: While Lennox would eventually have a successful solo career, Stewart became much in demand as a writer and producer.