On the popular television show American Idol, when a contestant takes the stage, both the live audience and viewers at home eagerly anticipate a showcase of pure talent.

Most contestants have navigated through the earlier rounds to reach this point, meaning they must be exceptional performers. Often, they exceed expectations and deliver remarkable performances.

This was certainly the case during a recent audition for American Idol, where a young singer named Shayy moved audiences worldwide to tears with her incredible performance. The celebrity judges—Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie—were visibly taken aback by what unfolded that day. Shayy, a high school student, was ready to sing the emotional ballad “Rise Up.”

However, it wasn’t just her beautiful singing that left everyone in awe. Prior to her performance, Shayy explained to the judges why she was on stage with a cane. About a year ago, she began to express her frustration to her mother about struggling to see the board at school. After consulting multiple doctors, she learned she had a brain tumor.

Fortunately, the doctors knew how to save her life, but the tumor resulted in her losing her vision. Despite this challenge, Shayy remained undeterred and continued to pursue her passion for singing, which she has cherished for most of her life.

After Shayy finished her heartfelt rendition of the song, Katy Perry praised her by saying her voice sounded like “an angel.” However, it was Lionel Richie who had the most powerful reaction. With tears in his eyes, he stood up to embrace Shayy, telling her she had “wrecked him.” He commended her resilient spirit and pointed out how fortunate most people are in comparison.

Before she moved on to the next round, Shayy received numerous hugs and heartfelt compliments from each of the judges. We wish her all the success in the world!