American Idol: After singing Aretha, did Fort Myers' Nya survive America's live vote?
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It was a make-or-break moment for Nya on "American Idol."
The former Fort Myers singer barely squeaked by last week on the show. She didn't get enough votes to advance, but the show's judges rescued her after her performance of Tyla's hit song "Water."
So Nya ― the stage name for singer-actor-dancer Nyachomba Muchai-Kinya ― had one big goal when she took the "Idol" stage again Sunday: To convince America she's Top 12 material.
"I think the scariest thing is the fear of going home," Nya said on Sunday's episode. "I hope with this performance, that I can change America's minds and they'll vote for me."
Nya sings Aretha Franklin's 'I Say A Little Prayer' on 'Idol'
With KISS bassist/singer Gene Simmons as her mentor, Nya sang a peppy version of Aretha Franklin's "I Say a Little Prayer." The performance was part of Idol's first live episode of the season.
The show's audience cheered and clapped along as Nya sang soulfully in her metallic-gray dress. Afterward, judge Luke Bryan praised her performance as "effortless." And the other judges agreed.
"That is the best you have ever done, from top to bottom," judge Katy Perry said. "I think you heeded Gene's advice, and you took a song that the people wanted to hear and made it Nya. But didn't go off.
"And you did it so well. It was my favorite thing I've ever heard you do."
It wasn't enough, though.
Sunday's episode marked the first night of live voting on "Idol." And after the votes were counted at the end of the show, Nya didn't have enough to advance into the show's Top 12 singers.
Nya and Australian singer Jordan Anthony both went home.
Nya hasn't been made available for interviews through an "American Idol" publicist since she first appeared on the show. She hasn't responded to an Instagram message from The News-Press.
On Instagram, Nya pointed out that she left "Idol" on the same date, April 21, that singer/actor Jennifer Hudson was eliminated from the show in 2004.
"What a blessing to say that I was eliminated from @americanidol, the same day as the legend- Jennifer Hudson..." Nya wrote Monday morning. "She has always been my American Idol. I remember being 8 years old, devastated to see her go but look what God has done in her life!!
"I know God is so good and I know I’m destined for amazing things.. I feel the alignment I’m so grateful and blessed to be able to share my gifts with the world and excited for what’s to come."
Who is Nya on 'American Idol'?
Nya grew up in Fort Myers, Florida but now lives in Manhattan in New York City.
She attended Fort Myers' Orangewood Elementary and Cypress Lake High's Center for the Arts. She moved to New York City before her 21st birthday to pursue a career onstage, she told the New York Post.
Now she performs on Broadway and Off-Broadway, including recent shows "Titanique" and "Carolina, or Change."
Nya sang in Cypress Lake High's award-winning vocal group TAG (The A Cappella Group). She was even nominated for the national CARAs (Contemporary A cappella Recording Awards) for her solo on a 2011 TAG album.
"She was amazing," said Gary Stroh, her former vocal teacher at Cypress Lake High. "She had that 'it' quality."
It’s unclear if Nya, 28, was born in Florida or Kenya. Previous "Idol" episodes have suggested she was born in Kenya. But on the April 14 show, Nya said this: "My family came here from Kenya. My mom and dad weren't together by the time I was born."
To learn more about Nya, check out this article: Get to know the New York singer from Fort Myers, Florida
Who's in 'American Idol's' Top 12 singers for Season 22?
After voting ended April 21, these are the Top 12 singers remaining on 'Idol':
Mckenna Faith Breinholt
Jack Blocker
Mia Matthews
Sam "Kayko" Kelly-Cohen
Will Moseley
Abi Carter
Kaibrienne "KB" Richins
Emmy Russell
Julia Gagnon
Triston Harper
Jayna Elise
And Roman Collins
Read more about Nya
Check out these previous articles about Nya:
Auditions: Former Fort Myers singer Nya wows judges, heads to Hollywood Week
Hollywood Week: Nya sang 'like Krispy Kreme donuts.' But did she survive the Idol Arena?
Showstopper round: Nya hits 'American' Idol stage with 'fierce' performance of Temptations' 'Get Ready'
Raves for Nya on American Idol: Get to know the New York singer from Fort Myers, Florida
Top 20: Nya sings tearful 'Georgia On My Mind' for her dad. Will she make Top 14?
Top 14: SW Florida's Nya lands in Danger Zone, Tyla hit 'Water' comes to rescue
Charles Runnells is an arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. To reach him, call 239-335-0368 (for tickets to shows, call the venue) or email him atcrunnells@gannett.com. Follow or message him on social media: Facebook (facebook.com/charles.runnells.7), X (formerly Twitter) (@charlesrunnells), Threads (@crunnells1) and Instagram (@crunnells1).
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: American Idol: SW Florida's Nya eliminated after singing Aretha
