Filipino-Canadian Tyson Venegas enters ‘American Idol’ Top 12
Filipino-Canadian Tyson Venegas is another step closer to winning the 21st season of American Idol!
The 17-year-old made it to the Top 12 of the competition, along with other hopefuls: Colin Stough, Haven Madison, Warren Peay, Wé Ani, Marybeth Byrd, Oliver Steele, Iam Tongi, Zachariah Smith, Megan Danielle, Lucy Love, and Nutsa.
In the show’s April 25 episode, Tyson captivated the judges—Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie—as well as the audience with his performance of Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me by Elton John.
“Thank you, everyone, for voting for me. Thank you, American Idol, for this moment,” he wrote on his Instagram page after his feat.
Tyson earned the first-ever platinum ticket in the reality tilt’s current season in February this year with his soulful performance of Billy Joel’s New York State of Mind. Aside from his vocal chops, he also impressed the judges for having been able to play the piano flawlessly while he was singing.
The Fil-Canadian teen was part of The Voice Teens Philippines in 2020. He also performed New York State of Mind while playing the piano with a blindfold on. When asked by judge Lea Salonga why he liked to play some music that way, he said: “I really like Stevie Wonder, and I love how he plays the piano, it’s like very natural.” He became part of Apl.de.ap's team but exited the competition before the knockouts were held.