A South African just got a Golden Ticket on American Idol… and taught the judges to speak Afrikaans!
Global (02 March 2023) – South African Idol may have been cancelled this year but American Idol is still going strong, and this season features a young man from Pretoria.
Now in its 22nd year, American Idol has just had a first… a South African teaching Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan how to speak Afrikaans.
Stefan Benz (16 years old) moved to Los Angeles to pursue his career in music and it looks like he’s on the right track to stardom. The young South African wowed the judges in his American Idol audition, so much so that they asked him how to say “I’m going to Hollywood” in Afrikaans.
“I don’t think I was prepared for just how nervous I was gonna be. It’s different to anything you’ll do in any realm of your life,” said Benz. “It’s you going up and singing for three experts in the industry that are looking and analyzing every part of your performance.”
But Benz says that he is loving his Idols journey and the best part has been making friends.
“I knew going into this that no matter what happened, I would definitely make a friend or two,” said Benz.
“I feel like they might stick around for a long time because we have, like, that special bond from going through the experience together. I know this is where I want to be and entertaining is the feeling I don’t get anywhere else. So that’s what I want to do.”
Benz’s episode was aired last Sunday night in the USA (and hopefully on DStv eventually) but he’s posted a few videos to his social media about the golden ticket moment.
You can watch them below:
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@imstefanbenz Never thought I’d be teaching @katyperry and @lukebryan Afrikaans. 🇿🇦 Crazy!! can’t wait to show em what I can do 🔥 @americanidol #americanidol #idolonabc #21yearsofidol #katyperry #lukebryan #lionelrichie #ryanseacrest ♬ original sound – Stefan Benz
@imstefanbenz I got the @americanidol #goldenticket. See you in Hollywood!! Thank you everyone for all the love and support it means the world. #americanidol ♬ Big Boy Speed Up – Dj Kampung
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