Waterbury resident going to Hollywood on American Idol!

WATERBURY, Conn. (WTNH) — A Waterbury resident is going to Hollywood!

Amari Keys auditioned for American Idol in an episode shown on March 17. She came into the audition “full of light and joy,” American Idol Judge Katy Perry told her.

Keys sang the song “Toxic” by Brittany Spears with a mouth trumpet performance and then sang a second song, “She Used to be Mine” by Sara Bareilles after Perry asked for another song.

“I just feel like there’s more though,” Perry said as she asked Keys what song could better encapsulate who she is.

Keys said she chose the second song based on her past and who she used to be.

“I think for the longest time I’ve been trying to live a life that wasn’t mine and it’s the first year that I’ve taken control of my own life,” Keys said. “I just want people to know they can do it, that’s all.”

She shared her story of being a transgender woman and how she has lost some people in her life because of it.

“I think it’s normal to lose a lot of people and I’m not mad at them, like I understand, it’s very different,” Keys said during her audition. “I don’t expect people to understand everything, I just want to love everybody.”

Her performance earned her two yes’s from judges Katy Perry and Lionel Richie and one no from judge Luke Bryan.

Fellow Waterbury residents can keep up with her Hollywood journey on Sundays at 8 p.m.

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