American Idol fans were taken aback when a contestant appeared on the show accompanied by her famous father.
The latest episode of the ABC singing competition, which aired on Sunday, 26 March, saw aspiring pop singer Kaya Stewart perform in front of judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan.
However, what made her audition stand out was not only her original music but also the fact that her father, Dave Stewart, was there to provide backup guitar music.
For those who may not know, Dave Stewart is one half of the pop duo Eurythmics, which he formed with Annie Lennox.
The group had several chart-topping hits in the 1980s, including “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” and “There Must Be an Angel (Playing with My Heart).” Upon introducing her father to the judges, Perry exclaimed, “Oh my god. Blast from the past.”
Meanwhile, Richie added, “We were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame together, and to have you with your daughter, I think, is so cool.”
The appearance of Dave Stewart on the show took many viewers by surprise, and they took to social media to express their shock. One fan wrote, “OMG Dave Stewart #AmericanIdol,” while another tweeted, “This is incredible!! 80s flashbacks! Hall Of Fame-ers!! Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics and @LionelRichie. They just have to bring Dave Stewart back in the finale to do Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) with a contestant singing it!”
However, not everyone was pleased with Kaya’s decision to bring her famous father along. Some viewers accused the show of nepotism, suggesting that Kaya was only given a chance because of her father’s fame.
One person tweeted, “@AmericanIdol nepotism much? If Dave Stewart’s kid was any good, wouldn’t she have broken big by now? Isn’t she preventing someone who really needed the chance? She’s not talented.”
Another viewer added, “I bet the judges had to say yes because she was the daughter of Dave Stewart. Not saying the girl can’t sing, but it’s like the judges couldn’t say anything bad that could’ve helped her in the long run because he was there.”
Despite the criticisms, some fans praised Kaya’s performance and wished her well. One person wrote, “I just watched it on YouTube. (I actually haven’t watched American Idol in many, many years.) Kaya Stewart did a great job. She definitely has an advantage being the daughter of Dave Stewart, so I’m sure she’ll do well. I wish her all the best.”
In conclusion, the appearance of Dave Stewart on American Idol with his daughter Kaya caused a stir among fans of the show. While some viewers were delighted to see the Eurythmics guitarist on the program, others accused the show of nepotism and suggested that Kaya only got a chance because of her father’s fame.
Despite the mixed reactions, it seems that Kaya’s talent was ultimately what won the judges over, and fans will no doubt be watching to see how far she goes in the competition.
