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Worst National Anthem Singer Harper Grace Hopes to Redeem Herself on ‘American Idol’
She's coming for her second chance! When she was just 11 years old, aspiring singer Harper Grace went viral in the most embarrassing way. Back in 2012, Harper got what she thought would be her big break — singing the national anthem at major league soccer game that was televised nationwide. But it quickly went viral for all the wrong reasons and ever since, she was known as the girl who performed one of the worst national anthem renditions ever — and now she's hoping to redeem herself on American Idol.
"If you search the worst national anthem, mine is the very first that ever pops up next to Christina Aguilera and Roseanne Barr, so I was like, 'You know what? At least my name's out there,'" the McKinney, TX native told Ryan Seacrest.
The story made headlines and 11-year-old Harper was even interviewed for a segment on ABC News shortly after the video made its rounds on the Internet. "Yeah, it wasn't my best performance at all," she admitted and explained that she couldn't hear herself which is why the performance was off-key.
But now, Harper is 16 years old and she's not letting that embarrassing moment define her. She auditioned for the American Idol reboot in front of R&B legend Lionel Richie, pop star Katy Perry, and country singer Luke Bryan — and she revealed that it's been a lifelong dream of hers to compete on the series.
"My family and I have always watched American Idol, ever since I was little, I would sing so loud that they literally could not hear the TV," she told the cameras. "After I did the national anthem, I created this dream board. One of the things on that dream board was try out for American Idol and maybe win, so this my chance to make one of my dreams come true — fingers crossed."
Be sure to tune into the season premiere of American Idol, airing at 8 p.m. on ABC.
