Eurythmics Star's Daughter Blows 'American Idol' Judges Away With Her Amazing Audition

Mar 31, 2023

Season after season, “American Idol” gives viewers new delights and surprises, and the show’s 21st season is no exception, as singers from all over the country flocked to the auditions to showcase how they can be the next singing sensation.

“American Idol” was responsible for catapulting artists to greater heights. Take, for example, previous winners like Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Fantasia Barrino, Candice Glover, David Cook and Jordin Sparks, among many others, whose lives changed after winning or simply appearing in the cutthroat singing competition. 

On “American Idol,” selected contestants who advance from the audition round — having won a so-called golden ticket — have to be filtered out during Hollywood Week. However, in very rare instances, some lucky contestants can win a platinum ticket, which offers them the chance to bypass the first round of Hollywood Week.

In one of the auditions for the show’s 21st season, judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan were surprised as they were hit with nostalgia as they saw a familiar face enter the room with an auditionee. Turns out, it was Dave Stewart, one-half of the iconic pop duo Eurythmics. Although it wasn’t Dave who would be auditioning, it was Kaya Stewart, his 23-year-old daughter. 

Dave was only there to accompany her daughter Kaya performing with guitar. As if getting a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee to play your instrument at your audition wasn’t enough, Kaya revealed that she would be singing an original song that she and her father had written together. Read on to learn more about Kaya’s incredible audition performance!

During the 1980s, Eurythmics was the biggest pop-rock duo in the world. Responsible for putting out era-defining songs like “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This),” "Love Is a Stranger," "There Must Be an Angel (Playing with My Heart)" and "Here Comes the Rain Again,” Annie Lennox and Dave established themselves as a music icon at their own right. 

They have sold more than 75 million records worldwide and even won an MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist in 1984, a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 1987, and a Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music in 1999, among many others. 

The two have been inducted into several Hall of Fames, including the UK Music Hall of Fame Class of 2005, the Songwriters Hall of Fame Class of 2020, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, along with Richie. 

Eurythmics has produced a total of eight albums, including their second album, “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This),” “Touch,” “Be Yourself Tonight” and “We Too Are One,” all of which were certified Platinum or higher. 

That is why seeing Dave grace “American Idol” other than performing with Lennox on the show is surprising. According to Perry, it was a “blast from the past” seeing Dave in front of her. 

According to Kaya, her father’s musical legacy is a big part of her, as she was already attending tours while still on her mother’s belly. 

“Music has been a part of my life since before I was even born,” she admitted. “My dad was in a group called the Eurythmics. When I was born, my dad was on tour, and I was going to shows when I was still in my mom’s tummy.

While some may expect that Kaya would probably sing something from the Eurythmics catalog, she drifted from the usual and revealed that she would be auditioning with an original song that she and her father had written. 

Kaya got the confidence and the guts to sing an original song as she was mentored by Lennox herself in the past. She was also able to release an extended play and a self-titled debut album in 2021 and 2016, respectively, via Warner Brothers. 

“The musician’s lifestyle has been something that’s just been a part of my life. There was never a question of what I wanted to do with my life. That was always going to be what I was going to do,” she went on to add. 

Kaya sang the beautifully-written ballad titled "This Tattoo," hitting every note flawlessly with a smoke and raspiness reminiscent of a young Lennox. 

When asked why she auditioned for “American Idol,” Kaya said that the show gives her a chance to sing her own music, as it could open more doors for her. 

All three judges were in chorus with their comments about Kaya that she would advance on Hollywood week, but Perry warned her that they would be “nitpicky” about her given her extensive background. 

As soon as her audtion hit the internet, fans praised Kaya for the strength and confidence she had going into the business same as her father. 

“This could be on the radio. Very pleasing tone, natural stage presence, nice complexity from verse to chorus. She didn't hold back. Great audition,” a user said.

“I also like that flip in Kaya's voice, it's different. I like that the judges are gonna be a little hard on her bc she understands how the music industry works,” another pointed out.

Wasn’t her performance amazing? What can you say about Kaya Stewart’s performance? Do you think she deserved to go forward in “American Idol” or not? Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends, and someone who you know would want to read this!