Tennessee vocalist Melinda auditioned in Memphis, and the former backup singer and music major sailed through to the Top 24 and then Top 12 performance rounds.
A vocal mix between Whitney Houston and previous Idol success story Jennifer Hudson, Melinda amazed audiences when she covered her favorite performer, Aretha Franklin’s “Since You’ve Been Gone.”
Even Simon’s got this girl’s back, telling the singer after her pitch-perfect Aretha performance, “I’ve seen people come out here with an incredible amount of arrogance and you’re the opposite. You're an incredible singer with a fantastic story. You’re a fantastic person and I hope you do well,” the judge said, offering his most pleasing commentary thus far in the competition.
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