Grace Franklin, a fifteen-year-old hopeful, went out in front of the judges and claimed that she is the granddaughter of Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, in what may be one of the biggest audition shockers in American Idol history. Lionel Richie,
who knew Aretha Franklin, was pleased to tell her stories before her performance, and subsequently referred to himself as "Uncle Richie" as he provided advise. Katy Perry asked Franklin if she had anything else she could sing after her first effort with a performance of "Killing Me Softly" that judge Luke Bryan described as "a touch tired." "Ain't No Way," as it turned out, was one of her renowned grandmother's classic melodies.
The 15-year-old is also featured in the video recalling her relationship with her grandmother.
"I don't believe I truly comprehended the reality that she was famous all across the world," she said. "Because she was always Grandma to me..." My grandmother and I were quite close. I was able to see her on a regular basis. I had a lot of opportunities to travel with her."
Aretha Franklin died in 2018 at the age of 76.
