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.
-
Indianapolis leaders cut ribbon on new animal shelter
On Wednesday, Indianapolis leaders cut the ribbon on a new shelter designed to improve care for thousands of animals each year.
Comfortable Thursday, rain chances return for the weekend
Nice weather continues into Thursday. A big warm-up looms for the weekend with a few rain chances. A warm front lifts into Indiana on Saturday.
Police dog aids IMPD in capture of suspect shortly after bank robbery
A male was captured following a Wednesday afternoon bank robbery and police chase on the northeast side of Indianapolis, authorities said.
IndyCar drivers thrilled by early sellout of Indy 500
This year’s sellout came a week earlier than last year, and several IndyCar drivers expressed their excitement about fans’ eagerness to watch the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
