Crystal Lake Central Grad Wows Judges On 'American Idol'

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL —Dedicating the performance to her late father, Lakewood-native Grace Kinstler impressed the judges on Sunday's season premiere of "American Idol" with her renditions of "Midnight Train to Georgia" and "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman."

Kinstler, a 20-year-old Crystal Lake Central alum now attending Boston's Berklee College of Music, was praised for her performance and invited to the show's next rounds in Hollywood.

"Oh my goodness, oh my goodness! I get brought to tears by stories and backgrounds of what people have been through. But this is the first time in four years that just someone singing has made me cry," country singer and Idol judge Luke Bryan said on the broadcast, which was pre-taped and aired on ABC. "Understand that your dad is very, very proud of you right now."

Bryan continued: "That has to be right up there with the Kelly Clarkson audition, the Jennifer Hudson audition."

According to the Chicago Tribune, Kinstler's father Mitch died of a gastrointestinal hemorrhage in February 2020 at the age of 64. Grace Kinstler spoke about her father on Sunday's broadcast.

"My biggest supporter was definitely my dad," said Grace Kinstler, who said she was wearing a necklace that had belonged to her father. "I know that he would be here right now with me if he were still here. So, I'm going to do this for him today."

In addition to the kind words from Bryan, judges Katy Perry and Lionel Richie offered their thoughts after Kinstler sang "A Natural Woman," which has been recorded by several artists, perhaps most notably Aretha Franklin.

"You actually have control of that amazing instrument," Richie told Kinstler.

Perry said: "I got a full wave of chills, full body chills twice. That's magic!"

A day after the show aired, Kinstler posted a message on her Facebook page thanking the judges for her "ticket" and expressing gratitude to other supporters.

"So grateful to all the people who followed, commented, shared and liked — Stay tuned!" she wrote.

According to Bustle.com, Kinstler has been releasing original music since 2015, and has put out three EPs and two singles. She also has performed the national anthem at Chicago Bulls and White Sox games.

Read more at Chicago Tribune.com.

Read more at Bustle.com.