Salisbury's Jay Copeland advances on American Idol

Posted 3/22/22

Salisbury’s 23-year-old Jay Copeland belted out an amazing performance of “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours” by Stevie Wonder on Monday night’s nationwide broadcast …

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Salisbury's Jay Copeland advances on American Idol

Posted

Salisbury’s 23-year-old Jay Copeland belted out an amazing performance of “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours” by Stevie Wonder on Monday night’s nationwide broadcast of American Idol

Copeland graduated from Salisbury University two years ago, majoring in music, and was attending grad school this year for acting. He was given an ultimatum this year that he had to pick between the two, so he dropped out and chose American Idol.

“I don’t know if I made the right decision or the wrong decision but I made the best decision,” he said.

When Copeland was done with his audition Monday night on ABC-TV, Idol judge Luke Luke joked, “Finally someone with as many teeth as Lionel Richie.”

And fellow judge Lionel Richie didn’t dispute it. He said, “I was just going to say that. You’ve got some great teeth brother. I’m going to tell you something. I’ve been alive a very long time and you don’t just jump on a Stevie Wonder song and do boxing with Stevie Wonder. You controlled it, you did it, you owned it and, on top of it, you were having so much fun. You might have lost the gift they were going to give you for your master’s, but the gift you are going to give American Idol is greater than anything you’ve ever imagined. Your talent is off the chain. There’s nothing for you to study anymore.  We needed this. We’ve been waiting for you to walk through that door. I’m so happy you showed up.”

Then Bryan added, “Lionel said it. We’ve been waiting on a kid like you. Because you’re perfect in my opinion. You are going to be able to electrify a crowd ”

Copeland is one of 20 contestants who will advance to another round.

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