When Jayna Elise performed her breathtaking cover of Miley Cyrus’ early-career hit, “The Climb,” on American Idol 2024, her soulful spin kept judges Katy Perry and Lionel Richie on the edge of their seats. Her gospel-infused voice was splashed with the scale-waltzing finesse only heard in global hit-makers like Demi Lovato, and her humble personality, beaming with smiles, won over the judges, sending her straight through to the Hollywood stage.
But this wasn’t Jayna’s first American Idol audition. Jayna had competed in the show only the year prior on Season 21, shocking the judges with her elaborate version of Queen’s “Who Wants To Live Forever.” Despite gaining yes votes from all three judges and surviving the Idol Arena in Hollywood singing Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing,” Jayna was eliminated from the competition during the Final Judgement.
Most TV talent show returners would spend a couple of years refining their skills before making their surprise comeback, but Jayna didn’t have to. Her talent is irrefutable, raw, and transfixing; she’s a natural with an effortless ability to traverse the octaves while ribboning her authenticity through every new note she paints into the song. However, the Washington DC singer still thanked Katy Perry for her criticism on the prior season, which inspired the brilliance of her performance.
Jayna’s incredible power as a live performer stems from her roots in the performing arts. At 22 years old, Jayna dabbles in acting, dancing and piano, as well as showcasing her limelight talent for singing. She allegedly began taking an interest in the arts when she was only four years old. She has been posting songs on her YouTube channel since she was about ten, covering artists from Adele to Stevie Wonder and collaborating with her grandfather on “Bridge Over Troubled Water”. She even became a Kidz Bop star in 2014.
In 2016, at age 14, Jayna debuted her child talent potential on TV screens, auditioning on the 11th season of America’s Got Talent with Andra Day’s “Rise Up.” This spurred judge Louis Tomlinson to award her the Golden Buzzer. She progressed seamlessly through the competition until her semi-finals cover of Katy Perry’s “Rise” resulted in her being voted out.
Jayna released a handful of singles and, in 2020, an EP titled “Flowers and Petals” before taking to American Idol. After her repertoire of sensational TV talent show moments, amassing millions of views on YouTube, fans are certain Jayna will win the current season of American Idol, airing now on ABC. Don’t miss your chance to catch the hype – check out the video above!
If you’d like to hear more from the immensely talented Jayna Elise, you can subscribe to her YouTube Channel or follow her on her Instagram for more of her unique and soulful musical stylings.