ABC's American Idol has been no stranger to touching and emotional moments throughout its 18-year run. With contestants sharing their often difficult backstories, as a viewer, it's hard not to get teary-eyed. And Katy Perry, one of the show's three hosts, is no different.
In yesterday's episode, we met 17-year-old Makayla Brownlee from Wellington, Kansas. Unfortunately, just as she was about to sing for the judges, she suffered a seizure. Leaving the stage, just as the music started, the teenager needed urgent medical assistance.
Check out the moment below:“Makayla has a condition that is pretty rare,” Mark Brownlee, Makayla's dad explained to the crew.
“She can’t control it,” he added. “She’s embarrassed, but physically, she’s 100 percent all right. This opportunity is so important for her. I’d hate to see it inhibited in any way because she’s such a good singer. She works so hard at it.”
“In seventh grade, I was diagnosed with vasovagal syncope," the 17-year-old explained. "It’s a heart condition that causes me to react to stress differently than other people, and it could cause a seizure.”
Later that day, Makayla returned to the stage for another chance to impress the judges with her pipes. And that she definitely did, even managing to move Katy to tears.
This is the controversial moment Katy Perry ordered a contestant to kiss her on American Idol:Following the impressive performance, Makayla received a spot in the Top 40.
“The stress this week has definitely been a lot harder on me than anything I’ve ever gone through,” Makayla told cameras. “There’s nothing I can do to prevent a seizure. When I’m stressed out, my body just reacts differently.”
Writing about the moment on Twitter, Katy said, "Nothing to be embarrassed about, #MakaylaBrownlee. We all handle stress differently #AmericanIdol."
And in a second tweet, she added, "That was the sweetest performance of ‘Rainbow’ #MakalylaBrownlee. So thrilled you were able to come back and sing for us and give us that perspective we need to be reminded of sometimes #AmericanIdol @KaceyMusgraves."
