Current:Home > MarketsMcKenna Faith Breinholt cut from 'American Idol': What to know about the 'Queen of Smoky Voice' -WealthMindset Learning
McKenna Faith Breinholt cut from 'American Idol': What to know about the 'Queen of Smoky Voice'
Chainkeen Exchange View
Date:2025-04-10 12:25:05
Despite her Top 5 elimination Sunday night, McKenna Faith Breinholt sang her way into the final seven contestants on Season 22 of ABC's "American Idol."
She has captivated audiences and judges alike with her smoky voice, moving backstory and renditions of songs by Dolly Parton, Goo Goo Dolls and her late birth mom, Amy Ross Lopez, a folk singer who was half of the indie duo Nowhere Man and A Whiskey Girl.
"Honestly, I feel like this whole thing has been super surreal," Breinholt told The Arizona Republic, part of the USA TODAY Network, in late April. "But now ... it's getting real. Like, it feels like I'm on 'American Idol' now. It feels like there's competition. And it's intense a little bit."
'American Idol' recap:Top 7 singer makes Katy Perry 'scared for my job,' and two more go home
Where is McKenna Faith Breinholt from?
Breinholt was born in Arizona. She's based in Gilbert.
Where did McKenna Faith Breinholt go to high school?
Breinholt graduated from Highland High School in Gilbert, Arizona, in 2016.
How old is McKenna Faith Breinholt on 'American Idol'?
Breinholt was 25 years old as of this writing.
What was McKenna Faith Breinholt doing before ‘American Idol?’
Breinholt was working as a receptionist at a local medical spa while pursuing a career as an esthetician.
What did McKenna Faith Breinholt sing for her ‘American Idol’ audition?
Breinholt auditioned in Nashville, playing piano while delivering a heartfelt rendition of "There Was Jesus," a duet by Christian artist Zach Williams and country music icon Dolly Parton.
Was this McKenna's first 'American Idol' audition?
Breinholt auditioned for "Idol" when she was 14 but never heard back.
What is McKenna Faith Breinholt's backstory?
Breinholt was adopted as a baby before her mother's death. It was a closed adoption, which meant she couldn't find out any information on her birth mother until after her 21st birthday.
The story of Breinholt discovering her birth mother had been a singer was a deeply moving highlight of her audition, where she played an emotional acoustic rendition of "There Was Jesus."
What to know about McKenna's birth mom, Amy Ross Lopez
Amy Ross Lopez, a singer from Bisbee, Arizona, was half of the folk duo Nowhere Man and A Whiskey Girl. Ross Lopez died in October 2013 of complications from lupus.
McKenna Faith Breinholt was also a contestant on 'America's Got Talent'
Breinholt also appeared on Season 11 of "America's Got Talent" in 2016 as part of Cinematic Pop, a group she started singing with when she was 16. But after getting four yes votes at the audition, Cinematic Pop withdrew before judges made cuts.
Catch up on 'American Idol':Watch Emmy Russell bring Katy Perry to tears with touching Loretta Lynn cover
What songs did McKenna Faith Breinholt sing on 'American Idol'?
- "There Was Jesus" by Zach Williams and Dolly Parton at her audition, which aired Feb. 18.
- "Tumbleweed" by Nowhere Man and A Whiskey Girl after her audition that aired Feb. 18.
- "When We Were Young" by Adele for Hollywood Week.
- "Anyone" by Demi Lovato for Showstopper Round on April 1.
- "The Story" by Brandi Carlile for Top 24 on April 7.
- "Both Sides Now" by Joni Mitchell for Top 20 on April 14.
- "Tumbleweed" by Nowhere Man and A Whiskey Girl for Top 20 on April 15.
- "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" by Chicago on Rock & Roll Hall of Fame show on April 21.
- "Cardigan" by Taylor Swift for Top 12 on April 22.
- "Iris" by Goo Goo Dolls for Top 10 on April 28.
- "Everywhere I Go" by Lissie for Top 8 on April 29.
- "Wide Awake" by Katy Perry with Abi Carter, Julia Gagnon and Kaibrienne on April 29.
- "E.T." by Katy Perry and "Make You Feel My Love" by Adele on May 5
How have 'American Idol' judges reacted to McKenna Faith Breinholt?
- Lionel Richie responded to Breinholt's audition with "I love the cry, the little cry in your voice. It just cut right through."
- After hearing her sing Adele's "When We Were Young" during Hollywood Week, Katy Perry sounded a note of caution, saying, "I'm worried about her voice, though."
- Richie responded to her cover of the Goo Goo Dolls' "Iris" by proclaiming her the "Queen of Smoky Voice" on April 28's episode.
- Perry saved Breinholt from elimination on April 29, bringing her into the Top 7. Perry told her, “I’ve spent many nights crying listening to that song and just surrendering. It’s just so powerful, and that’s what your voice does. It moves people emotionally. It opens up hearts so that they can feel and heal.”
Who made the Top 5 on 'American Idol' Season 22?
- Abi Carter
- Emmy Russell
- Jack Blocker
- Triston Harper
- Will Moseley
veryGood! (8)
Related
- Sonya Massey's family keeps eyes on 'full justice' one month after shooting
- Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
- South Korean president's party divided over defiant martial law speech
- Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
- Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
- California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- How to watch the 'Blue Bloods' Season 14 finale: Final episode premiere date, cast
- The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
- The Louvre will be renovated and the 'Mona Lisa' will have her own room
Ranking
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- Tree trimmer dead after getting caught in wood chipper at Florida town hall
- Jamie Foxx reps say actor was hit in face by a glass at birthday dinner, needed stitches
- This was the average Social Security benefit in 2004, and here's what it is now
- $73.5M beach replenishment project starts in January at Jersey Shore
- Nearly 400 USAID contract employees laid off in wake of Trump's 'stop work' order
- What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
- Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture
Recommendation
Jury finds man guilty of sending 17-year-old son to rob and kill rapper PnB Rock
Charges tied to China weigh on GM in Q4, but profit and revenue top expectations
Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
Messi injury update: Ankle 'better every day' but Inter Miami star yet to play Leagues Cup
Woman dies after Singapore family of 3 gets into accident in Taiwan
Federal Spending Freeze Could Have Widespread Impact on Environment, Emergency Management
Juan Soto praise of Mets' future a tough sight for Yankees, but World Series goal remains