One hallmark of American Idol is returning contestants. For instance, last year’s winner, Laine Hardy, was eliminated at the Top 40 the season before. Now, season 16 contestant Genavieve Linkowski is back in front of the judges hoping she can go farther than Hollywood Week.
Judge Luke Bryan not only remembers Genavieve from before, but that she auditioned in Nashville. Sadly, the singer doesn’t have very happy news to report since she appeared on the show two years ago. Her 18 year old sister Corinn passed away in a car accident in 2019. The young singer explained what happened in an emotional video clip recorded shortly after the accident. “She went home to be with God,” Genavieve tearfully explains.
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After the accident, Genavieve stopped singing. But eventually she realized Corinn would want her to push forward with her music career. That’s why the singer is back, performing “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You” for judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie.
Katy says she felt the song “Through and through.” Lionel says, “Tragedy can either destroy you, or make you stronger.” He adds, “You are no longer singing, you’re performing…it took a lot of guts to come back.” He is looking forward to Genavieve going much farther than last time. Of course, the judges hand the hopeful a ticket to Hollywood.
Back in 2016, Genavieve’s family played a big part in her backstory. The oldest of 10 children, the singer helped raise the family after her mother was diagnosed with a heart condition.
Genevieve will appear on the third audition episode of American Idol 2020, which airs on ABC Sunday March 1 at 8 pm ET/PT.
Watch Genavieve Linkowski’s emotional audition below.
https://youtu.be/wTtSz_6xcjc
