The 'Roar' hitmaker tweets that Makayla Brownlee has nothing to be embarrassed about after being moved to tears watching the aspiring singer beautifully covered Kacey Musgraves' 'Rainbow'.
- March 25, 2020
AceShowbiz - "American Idol" judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie rushed to the aid of contestant Makayla Brownlee after she abruptly walked off stage and fell to the ground backstage during her Hollywood Week audition.
During Monday's episode of the TV talent contest, the singer took the stage for her solo performance in front of the famous trio, but cut her performance short and swiftly left the stage.
After collapsing to the ground, Perry, Bryan and Richie ran over to see what was happening, at which point on-site medical personnel were attending to Brownlee, and ambulances were called as she began to have a seizure.
"In seventh grade, I was diagnosed with vasovagal syncope," Brownlee explained of the long-term ailment that she's been dealing with for years, in an interview shot after the incident. "It's a heart condition that causes me to react to stress differently than other people, and it could cause a seizure."
"She can't control it. She's embarrassed, but physically, she's 100 percent all right," her father added. "This opportunity is so important for her. I'd hate to see it inhibited in any way because she's such a good singer. She works so hard at it."
Although it was unclear whether or not Brownlee would be able to return to perform, she later made her triumphant return, much to the excitement of the judges.
"Let's try this again," a noticeably calmer Brownlee told the judges with a smile, as Perry supportively replied, "You got this!"
The aspiring star went on to wow the judges with a powerful performance of Kacey Musgraves' "Rainbow", with "Roar" star Perry reduced to tears as she explained that Brownlee's condition really puts things in perspective when it comes to being stressed out or tired, as they put her through to the next round.
"Nothing to be embarrassed about, #MakaylaBrownlee. We all handle stress differently," the pop star wrote on Twitter as the episode was broadcast. "That was the sweetest performance of 'Rainbow' #MakalylaBrownlee. So thrilled you were able to come back and sing for us and give us that perspective we need to be reminded of sometimes."
