Grace Leer Stuns with Effortless Performance of Faith Hill’s ‘Cry’ on ‘American Idol’

American Idol made history on Sunday night (April 26), returning for the first of many live shows broadcasting from the homes of the cast and contestants around the country. Live to tape from 28 states, Sunday night’s episode showcased performances from the Top 20. Making the most of the situation, producers shipped each contestant equipment and had them perform from home alongside the Idol band. The judges, Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Katy Perry, as well as host, Ryan Seacrest, and in-house mentor, Bobby Bones, also appeared from their homes.

Country starlet Grace Leer gave an effortless performance of Faith Hill’s hit song “Cry,” proving she has what it takes to be the next country star that arises from Idol.

“Let me give a shoutout to American Idol, we’re not finding singers, we’re discovering true artists and Grace I’m just so proud of the fact that you rose to the occasion and I felt every bit of it, that was a great delivery,” Richie told Leer after her performance.

“Grace Leer, my dear, You road that bull real well. You really played with those dynamics, I love how big it got at the end and I think that you’ve got a lot of the boxes checked to be a big country star, I think it’s gonna be up to America to make it and then to see what you do with that,” Perry gushed.

“You know the first part of that song, I just liked a little of what you’ve gave us on ‘Natural Woman,’ I mean you walked out on ‘Natural Woman,’ you owned it from the start to the finish. But having said that, from the halfway part of your performance to the end, you were giving us those big, amazing notes that you spoil us with,” said Bryan.