Growing, “American Idol”, Esperanza Samantha Ray always had a duet partner to his sister, Taylor. Although the Georgia artist had to audition only for the singing competition, his brother was in his thoughts throughout the time, and the judges could say so.
Ray’s audition was broadcast on Sunday night on Sunday night, which also marked the final auditions of the 23rd season. As he went through a cover of “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack, Judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan were impressed by Ray’s voice and emotion.
“From the first note, I was trying to compose me, because from time to time we meet some people who have the absolute trigger for emotions,” Richie said. “You did it perfectly.”
When Bryan asked what Ray was thinking during the performance, he shared that his sister – who had died recently from a drug overdose – was on his head.
“Losing his damage much because it was a younger year than I,” he told the judges. “We were very close.”
“We didn’t know what you thought, but you thought about something, and that is to be a narrator,” said Underwood, fighting the tears after the audition. “That attracts people. It was really special.”
After the vulnerable moment, the three judges voted to send Ray to Hollywood.
“Losing my sister felt like losing a large part of me,” Ray said. “She was everything.”
“I would like it to be here, but I know I have to look after me,” he added.