id “American Idol” save the best for last in its season 23 preview? The final full audition featured in the half-hour special — which aired after the Oscars on March 2, 2025 — was with Amanda Barise.
The 26-year-old walked into her New York audition so quietly that the judges didn’t even notice her at first, prompting her to joke, “I floated in!”
But from there, the singer’s presence was unmistakable as she performed a cover of James Brown’s “It’s a Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World.” Her performance was so powerful that judge Carrie Underwood called it “perfection.”
Luke Bryan Tells Amanda Barise Her Audition Was Among the Best He’s Ever Heard
Before walking into the audition room, Barise told producers that she knew her song choice was a risk, explaining, “I’ve sang it in a few auditions. Some that went well, some that didn’t go well. So we’re gonna see today if my performance convinces them I’m worthy of a golden ticket.”
To say her “Idol” audition went well would be an understatement, given that all three judges — Underwood, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan — were clapping and on their feet within the first 30 seconds of her performance.
Bryan loved seeing how giddy first-time judge Underwood was about Barise’s delivery, exclaiming at the end, “It’s so fun watching her watch this!”
Richie then chimed in, “That’s what we call a possession” and Underwood admitted, laughing, that she had no idea how or when she wound up standing during Barise’s song.
“I mean, every once in a while a possession comes along,” Richie explained, adding, “That was absolutely amazing. That was really great.”
Underwood then told Barise, clearly in awe of her performance, that she loved how “nothing was rushed, every line you delivered just took us on its own little journey. That was perfection.” Bryan agreed, telling Barise it was “one of the best I’ve heard, ever.”
