21-year-old singer and American Idol contestant, Abigail Brooks, is thrilled when judges sent her on to Hollywood and compared her to her idol, Barbara Streisand!
That’s the very condensed version of this 6-minute video, but take a closer look. There’s a lot of fun in this mini flick. From the teasing among the judges and the laid-back presence of a talented young woman to the unusual choice of songs and the use of unusual “instruments” during her performance! Check it out for a little dose of whimsy!
Abigail, in denim overalls and a white fishing hat, strides past the piano to her assigned spot with a hearty “hi” for the judges. Katy is momentarily distracted by a photo of her fiance, Orlando Bloom, who she’s learned has been included in “People’s Sexiest Man Alive 2021” issue. Katy’s not sure if Luke is being honest that he, too, is in the issue, but he assures her that he is. However, he “will not proclaim to be sexier than Orlando.” Though some might think he is!
Back on track, Abigail introduces herself. She hails from Castlewood, Colorado, but is currently a barista all the way across the country in the Tribeca neighborhood in New York City. The video shifts to an interview at Abigail’s coffee shop, presumably before auditions. Abigail shares that she loves to sing, using a broom as a substitute for a microphone after the customers have cleared out of the coffee shop.
Abigail describes herself as an “old soul” who, having heard old-school music as a child, developed an interest in music from earlier generations. She recalls first hearing and falling in love with Barbara Streisand. Abigail’s mother played a recording of “Jingle Bells” sung by Ms. Streisand, and young Abigail was “hooked.”
Back at the audition, Abigail has prepared to sing without her broom-microphone, but Katy calls out to see if there is a “broom in the room.” Like magic, one appears just in time for Luke to ask Katy if that is what she rode in there on! Lionel Richie brings the two jokers back to task!
Abigail has elected to sing “Vincent” by Don McLean. The song is a tribute to the brilliant and troubled artist Vincent Van Gogh, who is currently the subject of an immersive artistic exhibition that is touring the U.S. currently. The first few lines go as follows:
Starry, starry night
Paint your palette blue and gray
Look out on a summer's day
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul
This little crooner is down-to-earth and natural, but she totally channels Babs! The judges have a lot of praise to throw Abigail’s way. Luke says she is a great singer of her chosen style, and a likely candidate to win Disney Night. Katy declares that she got chills during parts of the performance. And, Babs’s buddy Lionel says he can’t wait to tell his playful and phenomenal friend about Abigail! Can you imagine how that feels!
There’s a bit of punny chit-chat, but the judges give playful, and perhaps phenomenal, Abigail the news she’s hoping for. And, we’ll just have to watch and see how Abigail does with a microphone-microphone!
“Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord! Psalms 96:1