UK Eurovision flop Michael Rice wows American Idol with jaw-dropping audition that leaves Lionel Richie and Katy Perry in tears
A British Eurovision singer has tried his luck on the opposite side of the popular American show American Idol.
Hartlepool-born singer Michael Rice took part in the Eurovision Song Contest for Great Britain in 2019, but finished in last place with just 16 points.
But five years later, Michael, 26, is still chasing his dream: he auditioned for American Idol last October, while his breathtaking tryout aired in the US last month.
Michael wowed judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan with his rendition of the Kelly Clarkson hit Because Of You in an emotional tribute to his deceased father.
British Eurovision singer Michael Rice has tried his luck on the other side of the popular American show American Idol
Hartlepool-born singer Michael took part in the Eurovision Song Contest for Great Britain in 2019, but finished in last place with just 11 points (pictured in the Eurovision Song Contest)
The audition left the judges in tears as they all gave Michael a standing ovation before coming over for a group hug.
A tearful Lionel told the singer that it was ‘was the most emotional, highest-grossing performance he’d heard in the six years he’d been judging the hit show.
The incredible performance meant Michael went through to the show’s Hollywood Week, which aired in the US this weekend.
He survived what was billed as ‘one of the biggest cuts’ in the show’s history after performing Adele’s Turning Tables.
Michael, who also previously appeared in All Together Now and BBC One’s The X Factor in 2014, has received support from Eurovision presenter and superfan Rylan Clark during his American Idol run, with the star tweeting on Monday:
‘Good for him. He’s amazing, and a lovely boy x’
He has also gone viral with clips from his first audition attracting over a million viewers on TikTok
Speak with Teesside Live Michael recently said the whole experience was ‘mental’, while also saying he had always wanted to audition for the US show.
Five years later, Michael, 26, is still chasing his dream: he auditioned for American Idol last October and his breathtaking tryout aired in the US last month.
Michael wowed judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan with his rendition of Kelly Clarkson hit Because Of You in an emotional tribute to his late father
The audition left the judges in tears as they all gave Michael a standing ovation before coming over for a hug
An emotional Lionel told the singer it was ‘the most emotional, most giving’ performance he had heard in his six years judging the hit show
Michael previously appeared in BBC One’s All Together Now and The X Factor in 2014 (pictured on The X Factor)
Speaking about his previous TV talent show experiences in Britain, Michael admitted that ‘this felt ten times bigger.’
“As soon as Lionel Richie started speaking, I was like, are you laughing? It was such a great experience.’
Michael dedicated his Because Of You performance to his late father Sean, from whom he was estranged until his teenage years.
They reconnected when he was 17, but his father died suddenly of a heart attack not long after. “I’ve always loved that song and played it, and it reminds me of him,” Michael said.