Amari, a 28-year-old waitress from Indiana, captivated the American Idol judges with her heartfelt performance of Sara Bareilles’ “She Used To Be Mine.” Despite initially winning over the judges with her presence, Amari was given a second opportunity to showcase her varsatality. Her rendition of Britney Spears’ “Toxic” fell short, but judge Katy Perry encouraged Amari to reveal more of her “true self” through another song, emphasizing the importance of authenticity in her performance. That is when Amari shared her moving backstory of resilience and self-discovery. She bravely shared her story of acceptance and overcoming adversity. Despite facing challenges and losing loved ones during her transition, Amari has decided to move on. Her courage and talent shone through her performance when she sang an emotional song from Bareilles’ musical “Waitress.” This performance earned her a standing ovation from Perry. While Bryan offered constructive criticism, Perry and Ritchie enthusiastically supported Amari’s journey and talent, giving her a resounding yes. Amari’s inspiring audition is a reminder of the power of authenticity and the importance of visibility for transgender individuals, especially as we celebrate Trans Day of Visibility on March 31.
