American Idol contestant Francisco Martin honored his frontliner mom on Mother’s Day Sunday as he performed from home in the Top 7 show.
Martin’s mother, Fatima, works as a nurse in the frontlines of the battle against COVID-19 that has forced the show to be streamed from the homes of the judges and contestants. It was also her birthday on Mother’s Day, May 10, 2020.
Francisco Martin chose to sing “River” by Leon Bridges in front of his mother as the judges watch from their homes while also under community quarantine. His heartfelt performance made his mother cry as the judges swooned over his singing.
“This set of Mother’s Day songs is really separating the pack, it’s showing who deserves that top position, and you are making it difficult for these all other contestants, because that performance was so soulful and beautiful and real. It was so heartfelt what you just did,” judge Katy Perry said.
Judge Luke Bryan says Francisco beat the original record. “I mean, we have heard that song so many times that, man, from the first note, I would buy that right now, that performance. I would go spend my money on it right now,” he continued.
“When I say barbecue sauce that is what I am talking about. The thing I love the most is your confidence is front and center, you’re no longer in your head it is all about your delivery now. Congratulations, because you have a career and that’s what’s most important, and we saw it happen here on ‘American Idol,'” judge Lionel Richie told Francisco.
In a video shared by American Idol on Twitter, Francisco greeted all the mothers on their special day and gave a special message to his mom.
“Special shout out to my mom, the most loving, caring, and special person in my life She is amazing. She is awesome. She is super brave working in the frontlines every single day caring for others. Not only does she care for her family but she cares for others, and she is awesome and generous. She is super brave and I love that about her Shout out to you mom, I love you!”
The Filipino-American singer performed a second song as a Top 7 contestant as he covered the Disney hit and multi-awarded song, “You’ll Be In My Heart”, from Tarzan, originally recorded by Phil Collins in 1999.
Richie commended the singer’s confidence while performing the song, a far cry from his visible nerves during the American Idol auditions.
“We’re witnessing right here the transformation of Francisco. You were actually smiling at yourself while you were performing. What you’re doing now is you’re giving us the confidence and the enjoyment and by the way we as an audience we love to see that kind of emotion,” Richie declared.
Perry also agreed with what Lionel said saying, “I thought that performance was really amazing. You looked relaxed. All of that self-doubt has been really stripped away.”
“I mean look this is a competition let’s get real there is one idol and you were spot on with your performance. Then at the end, you let us have it with the talent of your voice. Good for you. You are a good bet,” she added.
“Just in that performance, you were like the King of the jungle and you felt like the King of American Idol in my opinion,” said Bryan who called Francisco “my boy”. Bryan declared Francisco Martin a winner during his audition.
Francisco Martin is now vying for a spot in the Top 5. To vote for Francisco Martin to get to the Top 5 of the American Idol Season 18, text “12” to 21523 or online via the American Idol app.
The results will be announced next Sunday (8-10:00 p.m. EST, May 17) (Philippine Standard Time, May 18).
Francisco Martin’s Top 20 performance of a Katy Perry song got him through to the Top 10.
He made the judges and audiences swoon over him as he performed “Falling Like The Stars” by James Arthur from home and made it to the Top 10 of the American singing competition, which landed him a spot in the Top 7.
WATCH Francisco Martin perform in the Top 7 with the Disney Tarzan theme here and SEND CONGRATULATIONS in the comments below!
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