American Idol Hopeful, Weston Native Sonika Vaid Continues Quest

WESTON, MA — American Idol contestant Sonika Vaid seeks to advance to the next round of 24 this week.

The show aired Wednesday and will continue Thursday at 8 p.m. on FOX.

Vaid, who grew up in Weston and lives in Martha’s Vineyard, advanced last week, as she was among the top pickings chosen to continue in the contest during ”Hollywood Week.”

“When I first found out that I made it through to Hollywood I was absolutely ecstatic,” Vaid told Patch. “My heart was racing and so many emotions were running through my mind. Talking to the judges made me feel like I was in a dream, but holding that golden ticket in my hand made everything so real. I couldn’t be more thrilled about making it through.”

Broken into groups of 10, judges Harry Connick Jr., Jennifer Lopez and Keith Urban listened to snippets from each of the singers, choosing handfuls of each 10 to make it through. Eight of the 10 singers in Vaid’s group passed on to the next level.

Vaid, 20, has been declared an early favorite to win Idol, which is in its final season.

Vaid, who grew up in Weston and lives in Martha’s Vineyard, has drawn accolades from judges.

“You know, you sang beautifully,” said judge Harry Connick, Jr. after Vaid sang “Look at Me” by Carrie Underwood. “That was a perfect performance. I was totally engaged. This was the only time this particular season that I saw somebody that I actually thought would win this thing. That’s a God-given voice.”

“I decided on singing ’Look at Me” as my audition song because it has such a beautiful melody and it almost felt natural to me, if that makes any sense,“ Vaid told Patch.

Photo: Sonika Vaid performing in front of American Idol judges Jennifer Lopez (left) and Keith Urban. (Credit: American Idol/FOX)