OC Teen On American Idol: Hollywood Performance Airs Sunday

DANA HILLS, CA — Last week, "American Idol" viewers watched as Dana Hills high school student Ava August auditioned before a panel of celebrity judges and was handed a golden ticket to Hollywood. This week, they can watch as her musical race to the top continues.

August, the youngest contestant this season, told Patch via email that her she will again grace the small screen at 8 p.m., PST, on Sunday and Monday during the show's "Hollywood Week."

"I can’t wait for everyone to see my performances during Hollywood Week," August told Patch. "It’s been so amazing to have this platform for people to get to know me especially in the middle of a pandemic when all of my performances have been canceled. I’m looking forward to more people getting know me!"

In her American Idol audition, August performed an original song titled "Neighbor Boy," which describes her experience growing up on a California cul-de-sac.

While the song has not yet been released, August said she intends to share it, along with other original songs, on Spotify, Apple Music and other streaming platforms soon.

The musician recently released an original song titled "Daybreak," which can be heard on music streaming platforms including Spotify.

The song, she said, is "about a forbidden love. That society doesn’t except your relationship due to race, sexuality, or religion."

Read more: OC Teen Ava August Goes To Hollywood In 'American Idol' Season 19

As for watching herself on television, August described the experience as "surreal."

"It was an awesome experience getting to perform a song I wrote in my bedroom called 'Neighbor Boy' on national TV for all of you, let alone Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan — all people I look up to and admire so much!" August said.

August is a self-taught vocal artist who sings soulful pop tunes and anything "billboard." She counts her inspiration as Adele, Shawn Mendez, Ed Sheeran, The Beatles and Julia Michales, Patch reported last week.

August turned to songwriting during the pandemic, putting her musical skills to the test. In October, she penned pop-heartbreaker "Daybreak," available on Amazon Music, Spotify and other online channels. "It's Romeo and Juliet without the bad ending," she says.

Follow "American Idol" on ABC, Sunday nights at 8 p.m. pacific.

Find Ava August on:

• Instagram
• Twitter
• Facebook.com
• YouTube

Patch editor Ashley Ludwig contributed to this report.