Shayla Winn, known professionally as Shayy (born November 29th, 2000) was a contestant in Season 17 of American Idol.
Audition[]
Shayy auditioned in Louisville. She sang "Rise Up" by Andra Day. All three judges voted "yes", sending her to the next round.
Hollywood Round[]
Shayy was shown in a montage of contestants who survived the first round of Hollywood Week, alongside Juan Pablo, Evelyn Cormier, Ashley Hess and Clay Page. She was later shown in a group called "Unexpected Vibe" with Dimitrius Graham, Assata Renay and William Oliver Jr. singing "I Want It That Way" by Backstreet Boys. As a sign of respect and connection with Shayy, the other three members of the group all put on goggles near the end of their performance. Everyone in her group advanced except for William. For her final solo performance, she sang "Cry Pretty" by Carrie Underwood. She was placed in the first deliberation room, along with Uché, Johanna Jones, Laci Kaye Booth, Alejandro Aranda, Nick Townsend, Laine Hardy, Walker Burroughs, Margie Mays, Drake McCain, Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon, Ryan Hammond, Kai the Singer, Evelyn Cormier and Madison Vandenburg. It was revealed that everyone in the room advanced.
Hawaii Round[]
Shayy sang "All I Ask" by Adele. Afterwards, the judges told her that she did not make the Top 20 and she was eliminated.
Trivia[]
- Shayy is the third legally blind American Idol contestant since Season 8's Scott MacIntyre and Season 14's Garrett Miles.
- Shayy returned for the finale and sang her audition song "Rise Up" in a duet with Andra Day.