A former American Idol reject has successfully auditioned for the new season of the talent show, stunning the judges while performing in drag.
Adam Sanders previously auditioned for the program as a 19-year-old, where he was axed before the live semi-finals. However, this week he auditioned as Ava Cox, following in the footsteps of Australia's very own Courtney Act.
Before his audition, Sanders opened up about the online harassment he received following his first stint on the show.
“Being told ‘no’ was heartbreaking, but the truth of the matter is I wasn’t ready," he said.
“After Idol I started getting messages on social media every day, people attacking my weight and my sexuality... Telling me that I was horrible, that I sucked, that I didn’t deserve to be here."
He continued: “I let it get to me in the wrong way… it killed me inside, almost as much as people telling me I should have killed myself.”
The judges were blown away by Cox's audition. Source: ABC Australia
Speaking to current American Idol judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie, Ada Cox said she now felt ready to chase her dreams as a musician.
“I was on it in season 12 as a little old boy named Adam. I didn’t have myself together, I was just a chubby little Latino boy," Vox said.
“[This time] I’m not hear to play with anybody. I’m here to chase my dreams and make them come true.”
Fans of American Idol were quick to praise Vox for her comeback performance.
"She actually has an amazing voice. Completely rooting for her," one wrote on YouTube.
"RUN COURTNEY RUN ADORE ADA IS COMING FOR YOUR GIGS GURL," wrote another - referencing Idol and RuPaul's Drag Race alumni Courtney Act and Adore Delano.
Needless to say, the judges put Vox through to the next round.
You can watch Vox's audition below:
