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Makayla Brownlee Suffers Medical Emergency Before Performing Kacey Musgraves Hit on ‘American Idol’
Makayla Brownlee gave the American Idol judges quite the scare just before she was set to sing Kacey Musgraves’ “Rainbow,”…

‘American Idol’ Contestant Makayla Brownlee; Photo by Eric McCandless/ABC

Makayla Brownlee gave the American Idol judges quite the scare just before she was set to sing Kacey Musgraves’ “Rainbow,” a song from Musgraves’ GRAMMY-award winning album, Golden Hour.
As she stepped onto the stage and the music begun to play, Brownlee was so nervous she ran off stage looking faint and began to seize. The judges and emergency personnel immediately rushed to her side to care for her.
Brownlee’s father Mark then explained that she has a condition called vasovagal syncope and that she was diagnosed with the rare condition in seventh grade. The condition causes her to react to stress differently than most people and it can even cause seizures that are out of her control.
The show must go on, however, as they proceeded with performances by Camryn Leigh Smith, Devon Alexander and Lauren Spencer-Smith.
“Let’s try this again,” Brownlee said with a smile on her face upon returning to the stage, with Perry replying “You got this.”
Brownlee took the stage to roaring applause after being cleared by medics, this time on a stool to sing Kacey Musgraves’ “Rainbow,” which left Katy Perry with tears streaming down her face. The judges and crowd were forced off their feet with a standing ovation for the songstress.
“This stress has definitely been a lot harder on me than anything, I’ve ever gone through. There is nothing I can do to prevent a seizure. When I’m stressed out my body just reacts differently. It’s tough but I made it this far so,” Brownlee said after her performance.
When she exited the stage Perry continue to cry before praising her. “That was so sweet, oh my God when we’re like I’m tired, **crying more** oh my God put it into perspective right?”
“Oh I know,” Bryan replied.
“Y’all, this was terrifying,” Luke Bryan tweeted about the situation during the show.
Bryan also tweeted, “#MakaylaBrownlee, so glad you are ok. You’ve got this. Just picture yourself #SnakeHunting with @KaceyMusgraves.”
Perry later tweeted, “That was the sweetest performance of ‘Rainbow’ #MakalylaBrownlee. So thrilled you were able to come back and sing for us and give us that perspective we need to be reminded of sometimes Heart suit #AmericanIdol @KaceyMusgraves.”
Brownlee made a comment on her Instagram saying, “Words can’t really explain how much it means to me to inspire @katyperry , someone so iconic and talented, to the point of tears. This is my dream, it’s been my dream since I was seven years old. I promised myself when I first started having seizures to never let anything get in the way of me doing what I love. This clip is a perfect example of what I mean. I love all of you guys so much and I appreciate all of the support more than anything.”
American Idol returns on Sunday (March 29) at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
Andrew Wendowski is the Founder and CEO of Music Mayhem. As a self-taught entrepreneur, he oversees content as the Editor-In-Chief for the independent brand. Wendowski, who splits time between Philadelphia, Penn., and Nashville, Tenn., has an extensive background in multimedia. Before launching Music Mayhem in 2014, he worked as a highly sought-after photojournalist and tour photographer, collaborating with such labels as Interscope Records and Republic Records. He has captured photos of some of the biggest names, including Taylor Swift, Metallica, Harry Styles, P!NK, Morgan Wallen, Carrie Underwood, The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Shania Twain, and hundreds more. Wendowski’s photos and freelance work have appeared nationwide and can be seen everywhere from ad campaigns to various publications, including Billboard and Rolling Stone. When Wendowski isn’t running Music Mayhem, he enjoys spending time at concerts, traveling, and capturing photos.