Former 'American Idol' finalist's daughter auditions 17 years later
As auditions continued on American Idol Sunday, one contestant had a very special connection to the long-running singing reality show.
21-year-old fashion stylist Zaréh's mother, Nadia Turner, was a top eight finalist during Season 4 all the way back in 2005. Although that season was ultimately won by seven-time Grammy award-winning country singer Carrie Underwood, Nadia was still memorable for host Ryan Seacrest, who helped Za surprise her mother after she told her they were having a mother/daughter spa day.
As Nadia stepped out of the car blindfolded, Seacrest took her hands asking her if she knew where she was. Nadia had no idea, until Seacrest said his signature, "THIS… is American Idol," and Nadia's jaw dropped.
Following the surprise, Za followed in her mother's footsteps straight into the audition room, wearing the same gold-top her mother wore 17 years prior. And during her performance of Jazmine Sullivan's "Bust Your Windows," Nadia stood as a proud mother on the sidelines, even whispering to Seacrest, "She can totally sing!"
While Luke Bryan advised Za to "gritty it up a little bit" and to "put some stank and grease on it," Katy Perry thought Za had a "cool vibe."
"It feels authentic, and you've got this cool voice. I mean, I think you have, you know, the beginnings of what could be a real artist," said Perry. However, it was Lionel Richie who was loving the entire moment for what it was.
"It's such a wonderful, heartfelt story on our 20th season here on American Idol, to have this come full circle, full circle," shared Richie.
In the end, the happy moment continued as the judges gave Za three yeses and a ticket to Hollywood.
"Don't do this again," Nadia joked to her daughter, before she shared, "American Idol was a journey that had so many pluses. And to see what it does for Za, I can't wait. Sky's the limit for her."
Video Transcript
ZAREH TURNER: My connection is, my mother was on "American Idol." Her name is Nadia Turner. So I am--
RYAN SEACREST: No.
ZAREH TURNER: Yeah, I'm her daughter.
RYAN SEACREST: You're her daughter?
ZAREH TURNER: I'm her daughter.
RYAN SEACREST: This is impossible.
ZAREH TURNER: No, it's possible.
RYAN SEACREST: No, that's impossible.
KYLIE MAR: As auditions continued on "American Idol" Sunday, one contestant had a very special connection to the long-running show. Za's mother, Nadia Turner, was a top-eight finalist during season 4, all the way back in 2005. And although that season was ultimately won by the amazing Carrie Underwood, Nadia was still memorable for a host Ryan Seacrest, who helped Za surprise her mother.
RYAN SEACREST: What about if we say--
ZAREH TURNER: You're fine.
RYAN SEACREST: Coming up after the break, this is "American Idol."
[MUSIC PLAYING]
- Hi.
NADIA TURNER: [BLEEP].
KYLIE MAR: Following the surprise, Za followed in her mother's footsteps straight into the audition room, even wearing the same gold top her mother wore 17 years ago.
[MUSIC - JAZMINE SULLIVAN, "BUST YOUR WINDOWS"]
ZAREH TURNER: (SINGING) I didn't know that I had that much strength. But I'm glad you see what happens. I bust the windows out your car. You know I did it cause I left my mark.
KYLIE MAR: And while Luke Bryan thought Za needed to gritty it up a little bit.
LUKE BRYAN: Dig in and just put some stank and grease on it, you know?
KYLIE MAR: Katy Perry thought she had a cool vibe. However, it was Lionel Richie who was just loving the entire moment.
LIONEL RICHIE: It's such a wonderful, heartfelt story on our 20th season here on "American Idol" to have this come full circle.
KYLIE MAR: And in the end, the happy moment continued as Za got three yeses and a ticket to Hollywood.
NADIA TURNER: "American Idol" was a journey that had so many pluses. And to see what it does for Za-- I can't wait. The sky's the limit for her.
