‘A young Taylor Swift can look up to’: ‘American Idol’ Season 22 Peyton Riley’s exit
Santa Barbara, California: ‘American Idol’ season 22 contestant Peyton Riley performed her original song ‘Fireflies’. The 15-year-old aspiring singer dedicated her song to her ex-boyfriend who she recently broke up with. Peyton describes its vibe as ‘Christian and country music’. She claimed that she wrote the song with no one to help her cope with the heartbreak after her breakup.
Peyton tearfully performed the song but failed to convince Katy Perry. The ABC show judges rejected Peyton because she was too young and needed more practice. Katy said, “I think you’re really talented. You’re a really good songwriter.” He added, “And if you’re doing this at 15, you’re onto something. I’d say keep singing. Keep writing.” Meanwhile, Lionel Richie was on board with Katy and noted, “As far as your career is concerned, the sky’s the limit for you.”
Lionel added, “Girlfriend, if you could just go away for a hot moment and come back a little more organized, I think it would be much better for you.” “It’s just because you’re in a growing phase, and I’d hate to pull you out prematurely,” Katy also shared while not giving Peyton up. He added, “I’d say try it in three years at 18 and you’ll have a real shot.”
However, viewers were outraged by Peyton’s rejection and compared the aspiring singer to Taylor Swift as the pop singer continued to write songs after her breakup. “I feel really bad but he just needs to keep practicing I see a young Taylor in his future,” one social media user tweeted. One X user wrote, “Peyton’s performance on American Idol was the best original song in a while. I cried a little. I’m tired of being rejected as “not ready yet.”
Another added, “Are you kidding me? This young lady is clearly the next Swift! Come on #Idol.” Another Instagram user commented, “She’s going to be a star one day!!!!! Taylor Swift in the making.” Another viewer said, “This girl should have passed!” Another critic noted, “I think you made a mistake with her…you should get back with her….” Another netizen said, “Peyton deserves this dream, and Lionel and Katy crush her dreams. , I think they made it a mistake.”
I feel really bad but she needs to keep practicing I see a young Taylor Swift in her future #AmericanIdol
— savagefrommbrazil (@stevprestofan) March 18, 2024
Peyton’s performance was the best original song on American Idol in some time. I cried a little. I’m tired of the “not ready yet” reasons for rejection. #AmericanIdol
— Steph’s Pretty Lace (@LaceSteph) March 18, 2024
Are you kidding me? This young lady is clearly the next Swifty! Let’s #Idol @PaytonRileyMusic #AmericanIdol
— Wesley L. Rogers, Sr. (@WritinRevRog77) March 18, 2024
Katy Perry advises Peyton Riley not to focus on boys
‘American Idol’ Season 22 judge Katy Perry shares advice with Peyton Riley and compares the aspiring singer’s heartbreak to hers. “When I was your age, I had boyfriends… also trying to write songs…” recalls the judge on the ABC show, “My first boyfriend was 16, he dumped me in the parking lot. Guitar Center .” Katy then advised Peyton, “Try not to give the boys so much power. Because I’ve been through a lot and know that God has a plan for your life.”
Katy Perry advises Peyton Riley not to focus on boys (@abc)
Why did Peyton Riley break up with her ex-boyfriend?
Peyton Riley broke up with her ex-boyfriend due to long distance. They were friends since first grade. “Our sisters are best friends and so is our family. We go on family trips,” the aspiring singer revealed to the camera. She added, “And so about two years ago, we started dating.” Peyton elaborated, “But you know people grow apart, and he went to a different school. We broke up and it was really hard for me.”
He also mentions that she is his best friend and he later realized that everything happens for a reason. She wrote the song after a breakup and claimed, “This song really got me through it.” She is still friends with her ex-boyfriend but misses the kind of friendship they had before.
Peyton Riley and her ex-boyfriend have been friends since first grade (@abc)
Catch new episodes of ‘American Idol’ Season 22 every Sunday at 8 pm ET on ABC. The latest episodes will be available to stream on Hulu the following day