Bel Air Singer Wows 'American Idol' Judges

BEL AIR, MD — A Bel Air woman was on "American Idol" on Monday, March 18, and she made the cut. The songstress was among nearly a dozen contestants auditioning on episode five of the popular series and was "one of the best," according to one of the judges. She'll perform in the next round in Hollywood.

Emma Kleinberg, 22, is a college student from Bel Air who has known since she was a 4-year-old watching "Star Search" that she wanted to be a singer, according to ABC.

Her parents have been instrumental in her musical pursuits, she said on "American Idol," and her brother is her "rock."

Years ago, Kleinberg said that she and her brother, Alex, tried out together for the show. They auditioned for "American Idol" when she was 13 years old, according to ABC, which broadcasts the series. Back then, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson were among the judges.

This go-around, Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie assessed the singers.

Kleinberg performed "American Privilege" by Allen Stone, and at one point, Richie could be seen mouthing "Wow."

Said Perry: "I've got to be honest. She's probably the best one we've heard today."

Kleinberg said she is inspired by "soulful meets beachy" music like that of Colbie Caillat and Jack Johnson.

"I would just love to play a concert on a beach someday and just like sing my soul off," Kleinberg told the judges.

Perry told her that there were some great beaches in California, which she could check out soon; the judges said she was going to Hollywood.

Kleinberg majored in commercial voice at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. She is also a songwriter.

The 2015 John Carroll graduate was asked to audition for the series after a friend of hers at Belmont University was contacted by someone from "American Idol," according to The Aegis. The show was filmed in October 2018 in Louisville, Tennessee, the newspaper reported.

"...this opportunity came at a time in our lives where we really need some uplifting stuff," the Bel Air singer said before performing on the show.

Her brother — who had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder after college — was in a manic episode about a year ago and tried to take his own life, she said. He suffered an anoxic brain injury.

After learning that she was going to Hollywood, Kleinberg walked through the audition room doors to share the news with her family. She hugged Alex, who was in a wheelchair.

"When I came out and I saw my brother smiling," she said, "that was just a year of sadness like brought to healing."

Watch "American Idol" on ABC.