Shayla Winn walked into the American Idol audition thinking she would not advance, but she walked out with a lot of praise and a ticket to Hollywood. Her rendition of Rise Up brought Lionel Richie to tears and got all of the judges on their feet.
It was her story that pulled at American Idol viewers’ hearts. Shayla was walked into the audition because just a year prior, she went legally blind. Despite all of the trials and tribulations in her life, Shayy was able to impress the entire panel.
What happened to Shayla Winn?
When her story was told, Shayla Winn talked about how she went blind. After some medical issues, Shayy learned that she had a brain tumor following a scan. She had been experiencing some issues and felt like glasses were the answer. When Shayy went for testing, it turned out to be much more.
Following a successful removal of 50 percent of her brain tumor, Shayla was unable to keep her eyesight. Instead of wallowing, she decided she needed to live her life.
Shayy talked about her peers being cruel to her, even pulling at or throwing things at her cane. Now, she is teaching everyone a lesson about kindness.
American Idol audition
Her rendition of Rise Up was amazing. She got all of the judges on their feet and drew tears out of two of them. Shayla had control over her voice throughout the song and when she belted those notes out, it was all viewers could do not to cry.
Goosebumps came from listening to Shayla Winn on American Idol, and she may be able to dominate in the rounds moving forward.
American Idol returns Sunday, March 10 at 8/7c on ABC.