Sixteen-year-old Harper Gruzins auditioned for the new "American Idol," earning a golden ticket to Hollywood after impressing the judges. It seems that the teenager has finally redeemed herself nearly six years after a disastrous performance of the U.S. national anthem.
Gruzins, who now goes by the name Harper Grace, sang the national anthem at a nationally televised soccer game between FC Dallas and Los Angeles Galaxy in 2012. She was 11 years old at the time. Her performance was dubbed "the worst national anthem rendition ever," and the then-preteen met intense backlash.
The young girl's parents stepped in to defend their daughter from the worst of the criticisms, and Gruzins also explained that she was off-key because she was unable to hear herself.
"It wasn't my best performance because I couldn't hear myself and the blowhorns got me off key," Gruzins explained to FoxNews.com. "But God allowed this to happen, so I know it's what he wants. So I wouldn't change it. Next time I hope there's no blowhorns."
It seems that Gruzins finally got her wish, albeit almost six years later. When she auditioned to be a contestant on the rebooted "American Idol", there were no blowhorns to rattle her. "American Idol" judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan gave the teen positive critique, with Perry saying that Gruzins's voice can be molded to be the best it can be.
The teenager performed an original song, as well as Khalid's "Young, Dumb and Broke." Before her audition, Gruzins told "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest that she knew her rendition of the national anthem was considered to be one of the worst. However, she shrugged off the criticism, saying that it at least put her name out there.
Gruzins also brought a "dream board," which she made when she was 11, with her to the audition. One of her goals was to audition for "American Idol," and "maybe WIN." Perry later asked to see the dream board and crossed out the word "maybe," before adding "going to Hollywood."
Bryan then gave her the golden ticket, which assures her of a spot in the show's Hollywood week.
"American Idol" airs Sundays and Mondays at 8 p.m. EDT on ABC.
