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The Daily Insight

“Hope it was just nerves”: American Idol contestant Caroline Kole’s rendition of Katy Perry’s ‘Firework’ leaves fans divided

Author

Lily Fisher

Published Feb 02, 2026

Well known reality rivalry series American Icon season 21 broadcasted a fresh out of the box new episode on Sunday, February 26, 2023, at 8 pm ET on ABC. It recorded a new arrangement of competitors in the second round of tryouts who conveyed noteworthy exhibitions in order to dazzle judges and watchers and procuring a brilliant pass to progress to the Hollywood Week round of the opposition. Watchers saw numerous endearing stories all through the episode.

On the current week’s episode of American Symbol, Icon superfan Caroline Kole performed Katy Perry’s hit single Firecracker for her tryout. While the appointed authorities maintained that her should improve, they actually saw the likely in her melodic abilities and gave her a brilliant ticket.

Fans, be that as it may, were left partitioned in their perspectives about the vocalist. One tweeted:

The hit ABC series debuted with its 21st season last week and has been very generally welcomed by the audience. A few hopefuls acted before passes judgment on Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan. While some figured out how to dazzle them, others neglected to leave an imprint and needed to head home.

This evening’s episode of American Symbol started with the appointed authorities preparing for the second round of tryouts after a very effective first round that got a majority of ability. Katy, Luke, and Lionel got going the show with their typical tomfoolery chitchat, following which they started to bring in the hopefuls for the tryouts.

Symbol superfan Caroline Kole was the primary vocalist of the evening. As the hopeful went into the tryout room in Nashville, Katy praised her style sense. The 25 year-old vocalist uncovered that she had lived in the blue grass music city for more than 10 years, which stunned the adjudicators. At the point when Katy inquired as to whether she’d had a couple of breaks throughout the long term, Caroline admitted that there were a ton of “almosts.”

The American Symbol challenger said that she is a virtual entertainment director and wished to share a melody that the adjudicators knew about. Caroline then broke into Katy Perry’s Firecracker, which the adjudicators took a moment jumping at the chance to. All through the exhibition, the specialists had some good times but on the other hand were taking notes of her musicality.

At a certain point in the exhibition, Caroline needed to take a high note, however not long before that she hit a falsetto, which stressed the adjudicators. However, she carried back the high note with the verse “Child no doubt about it.”

Katy gave the American Icon candidate a wildly energetic applause. Luke uncovered that preceding this presentation, the individual adjudicator had never chimed in to her own tunes with the hopefuls. While the appointed authorities praised the vocalist, they additionally made sense of that they were stressed over her raising a ruckus around town note.

Luke made sense of that the candidate had every one of the instruments for an incredible melody, however was “coming up short on a portion of the conveyance.” He needed Caroline to “not be protected and legitimate” and sing with “all her strength” as she had the reach and the capacity to do as such. Lionel admitted to preferring the “smokiness” in the vocalist’s voice.

Katy uncovered that Caroline could get into the Main 24 of American Icon yet would need to work her direction from that point on to improve and progress forward. The adjudicators all gave their endorsement and gave the artist her brilliant pass to progress to the following round of the opposition.
Fans took to virtual entertainment to offer their viewpoints on Caroline’s tryout. While some cherished her voice, others were left unmoved.

Season 21 of American Icon has seen numerous hopefuls act before the appointed authorities and convey a portion of their best singing abilities. The hopefuls came from everywhere the country with different foundations, societies, and valuable encounters. Watchers should remain tuned to observe what’s more to come this season.

Remember to check out a shiny new episode of American Symbol next Sunday, Walk 5, 2023, at 8 pm ET on ABC.