Hoosier Cam Amen received a standing ovation and hugs from the judges after his emotional rendition of 'Hallelujah' during his American Idol audition.
The 27-year-old was one of two singers from central Indiana who moved forward at the American Idol auditions on Sunday.
Amen, who was born in Anderson, shared his story of growing up in and out of foster care before wowing the judges with his singing.
"I just remember being taken out of my classroom by police officers," he said during his audition recording. "We were crying and waiting for mom. She never came."
Amen said as soon as he turned 18 he took in his brother and sister so he could help raise them. His siblings are 20 and 21 now.
All three judges, Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan, gave Amen a standing ovation before awarding him the coveted Platinum ticket.
"I don't have anyone I've seen in this chair to compare you to," Bryan told Amen.
But Amen wasn't the only Indiana native making a name for herself on Sunday, Mikenley Brown, 17, also moved forward, landing her ticket to Hollywood and the next round of auditions.
Brown, from New Castle, also caught the judges attention with her unique style. She was accompanied by her father.
Although Amen gets to skip the first round in Hollywood you can watch Brown as Hollywood week starts off next Sunday & Monday, April 2 & 3 on ABC.
-
Indy 500 qualifying expanded to add Final 15 round on Sunday
IndyCar announced Monday that it’s adding an additional qualifying round on Sunday called the Final 15.
IMPD officer shot on north side of Indianapolis released from the hospital
The officer who was shot on Friday night on the north side of Indianapolis has been released from the hospital, and the man accused of shooting him has been arrested.
IMPD: Woman pedestrian killed in a hit-and-run on far east side of Indianapolis
Investigators were called around 2:45 p.m. to the 4300 block of North German Church Road on the report of a person down.
Nearly 1 million Hoosiers will travel over Memorial Day weekend, AAA says
AAA expects 45 million Americans, including 1 million Hoosiers, will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Memorial Day weekend, an increase from last year.
