We love seeing talented, young South Africans doing incredible things overseas! 16-year-old teen Stefan Benz has been releasing catchy pop hits for the past three years. He moved with his family to the US to further his musical career. The young star had to wait until he was of age to audition for American Idol, and made quite the impression on judges Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and Katy Perry.
The young star performed ‘One Last Cry’ by Brian McKnight and wowed the judges with his performance. “I don’t think I was prepared for just how nervous I was gonna be. It’s different to anything you’ll do in any realm of your life,” he says. “It’s you going up and singing for three experts in the industry that are looking and analyzing every part of your performance.”
He adds “I knew going into this that no matter what happened, I would definitely make a friend or two. I feel like they might stick around for a long time because we have, like, that special bond from going through the experience together. I know this is where I want to be and entertaining is the feeling I don’t get anywhere else. So that’s what I want to do.”
Benz eventually scored a golden ticket to Hollywood, where he will take part in the group element of the competition, and shared a little of his Afrikaans heritage with the judges after he was asked how to say ‘You’re going to Hollywood’ in the language.
Watch the audition below and read more music news here.
