• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
American Idol contestant with 80s music legend dad shocks viewers as she quits show

Home> Film & TV

Published 21:19 4 Apr 2023 GMT+1

American Idol contestant with 80s music legend dad shocks viewers as she quits show

She pulled out of the show after being paired with a fellow contestant for a duet

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

There was a shock exit on American Idol with Kaya Stewart dropping out of the show during Hollywood Week.

The 22-year-old singer sailed through her auditions, with a little help from her very famous dad who was there to provide assistance with his guitar.

You can see her and her dad entering the audition here:

As Stewart strolled into the American Idol audition room, her famous papa was immediately recognised by judge Lionel Richie, while fellow judge Katy Perry commented: “Oh my God - blast from the past.”

Stewart told the camera that, due to her dad, music had been a formative part of her life.

Advert

"Music has been a part of my life since before I was even born," she said. "When I born, you know, my dad was on tour - and I was going to shows when I was still in my mom’s tummy."

While Richie chipped in to say he thought it was 'so cool' that the star was appearing alongside his daughter on the show, with Stewart quickly agreeing: "I do, too."

Kaya Steward was accompanied by her dad Dave Stewart.
ABC/American Idol

Stewart then revealed that her dad was Dave Stewart, one half of 1980s pop-duo the Eurythmics - and, in an odd coincidence, he was even inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside Richie.

Advert

After acing her audition, with her own track titled 'This Tattoo', Stewart headed to Hollywood where she was teamed up with fellow hopeful Fire Wilmore for duets week.

However, the following day Stewart woke up feeling ‘really sick’ and her condition worsened throughout the day.

Stewart said: "I'm just like, I feel bad. I don't know [the song] well enough because I haven't been running it at all and because I've been basically dying. I just… I'm so nervous about getting up and doing it."

After initially stating that she would ‘of course’ want to push on with the competition, when she and Wilmore stepped onto the stage, Stewart announced she would be pulling out of the show.

Advert

“I have a little announcement to make," she said.

Kaya told the judges she’d been brought up around music thanks to her famous dad.
ABC/American Idol

"I got sick at the beginning of Hollywood Week and I have been trying to push myself and keep going and during this performance I got to work with Fire and it was such a great experience.

“She's so talented and so incredible and we bonded so much. But I realize that I wasn't able to give 100 percent so I've decided to not perform. But Fire is going to perform and I'm really grateful that I got to be here and thank you guys, but I'm not gonna be performing."

Advert

Perry then asked Stewart to confirm if this meant she’d be exiting the competition, to which she replied: "Yeah, so me not performing today means I'm no longer gonna be in the competition. I have to leave. I'm sorry, I'm really sorry."

Featured Image Credit: ABC

Topics: American Idol, Music, Celebrity

Claire Reid
Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at UNILAD who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats.

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Viewers shocked as American Idol contestant appears with her 80s music legend dad
  • SZA suffers unfortunate wardrobe malfunction while accepting American Music Award
  • Mom quits American Idol after she was 'bullied' by Katy Perry with 'hurtful' remark
  • American Idol contestant tearfully apologizes to Katy Perry after singer's comments

Choose your content:

14 hours ago
a day ago
2 days ago
  • YouTube/Deadline
    14 hours ago

    Stephen Colbert addresses Late Show axe with standing ovation at 2025 Emmys

    Colbert took home the Best Talk Series award at Sunday's (September 14) ceremony.

    Film & TV
  • Netflix
    a day ago

    Netflix docuseries is so disturbing that it left viewers unable to sleep 'for weeks'

    The three-part series has been viewed for over 9,000,000 hours

    Film & TV
  • Paramount
    2 days ago

    Netflix fans have just hours left to watch one of the best ‘feel good movies’ that’s been viewed for over 10 million hours

    It's your last chance to catch it before it goes away

    Film & TV
  • Netflix
    2 days ago

    Netflix users are saying new '10/10' series is so good they're 'bingeing' it in one day

    The show has been compared to some of the all-time greats, and it stars Suranne Jones as the Prime Minister of the UK

    Film & TV