Elleigh Marie Francom is a typical American woman, facing difficult circumstances.
The 20-year-old fulfilled a dream of many years when she passed an audition American Idol Sunday night (March 19) and made fans everywhere with her appearance.
Francom is a full-time cosmetologist, a military daughter based in American Fork, Utah. Her mom, a singer who teaches theater and has tuned in Idol with Elleigh since the contestant was a child, she has battled several serious illnesses.
“Dad's been gone for a long time,” she said on the pre-recorded package. The young man had to go up. “A lot of the blame fell on me,” he explained.
On the day of her audition, Elleigh learned that her dad will be on assignment for a year, starting in April. How does he feel about it? “It's really rubbish,” she told the judges, breaking down in tears.
Elleigh admitted she is torn by options. Chase it Idol daydream or go home and help with her younger siblings when daddy is away?
With her performance, the road ahead is now lit.
Elleigh channeled her emotions in a cover of Bonnie Raitt's “I Can't Make You Love Me.” And he drained it.
As he finished the performance, the tears flowed. “Nobody's ever hit that note at the end,” quipped Katy Perry. “It was perfect. You gave me the feels. You started out kind of average and then you made it. If you sang from that space every time, you'd be in superstar territory.”
“I think it's in the top 10,” Luke Bryan added. “There are just very beautiful things about your voice.” When she got into her groove, there were undertones of “classy” and “older than your years.” “I just loved it.”
Lionel Richie is a believer. “You went to a place that was so pure, so angelic, that it was really one of those moments where we couldn't take our eyes off you.”
The family came out, the judges stood and applauded, Idol had a moment and Elleigh goes to “Hollywood Week”.
See below.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/culture/tv-film/american-idol-military-daughter-elleigh-francom-hollywood-week-emotional-audition-1235635384/