Katy Perry, Lionel Richie join hands in prayer with American Idol contestant

Samantha Diaz led the judges in prayer (Photo: ABC)

A New York City subway singer hoping to be the next winner on "American Idol" took a moment during her nerve-wracking audition to put the spotlight on God.

During the audition, Samantha Diaz, who goes by the stage name of "Just Sam", plucked up the courage to lead the panel of judges - Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan - in prayer.

"I have a prayer I want to do with you guys. So repeat after me," she told the judges, before praying, "Heavenly Father, Lord make my life brand new right here, right now, with my friends and my new fam."

The judges were happy to go along with the prayer, with Bryan joking afterwards that he wanted to get baptised. 

Perry, who was a Christian singer before going mainstream, shouted, "We've been saved again!"

It was a happy ending to the audition, which had at times been emotional as Diaz shared her story of being adopted by her grandmother after being abandoned by her parents. 

In a moving account of her life until now, the 20-year-old said she was earning money by singing in the New York subway. 

She told the judges that being on "American Idol" would "change her life" before she started her performance of "You Say" by Christian singer Lauren Daigle. 

The emotions overwhelmed her and she wasn't able to complete the song, but that didn't stop the judges praising her talent. 

"This is really, really important, what you have, in my opinion," Bryan told her.

"A lot of people come in here and they haven't lived the struggles you have. You have those qualities in your voice to tell stories and you can sing really beautifully too."

Perry agreed, saying, "I love your sweet personality. You do have a really good voice. Remember where you came from and sing to where you want to go."

In a second attempt, she chose Andra Day's "Rise Up", which she managed to finish. 

Richie complimented the young singer, saying, "I'm so grateful that God put you in front of us." 

News
Dozens of Scottish church leaders warn against legalising assisted suicide
Dozens of Scottish church leaders warn against legalising assisted suicide

Pastors and Christian leaders across Scotland have signed an open letter to MSPs urging them to vote against a draft bill that seeks to legalise assisted suicide. 

Sequel to hit Christian movie 'I Can Only Imagine' gets new release date
Sequel to hit Christian movie 'I Can Only Imagine' gets new release date

The release date for the faith-based film “I Can Only Imagine 2,” the sequel to the 2018 box office hit, is moving from March 20, 2026, to Feb. 20, 2026, Lionsgate and Kingdom Story Company have announced.

First Minister John Swinney among MSPs to vote against Scottish assisted dying bill
First Minister John Swinney among MSPs to vote against Scottish assisted dying bill

Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, has confirmed he will vote against the controversial Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, ahead of its pivotal Stage 1 vote set for Tuesday evening. 

Suicide is a sin - why can't we say so?
Suicide is a sin - why can't we say so?

It might just be me, but amongst all the myriad and somewhat valid objections raised, including by Christians, to "Assisted Dying" (read "Doctors Killing Patients" or "Doctors Helping Patients to Kill Themselves"), I haven't really seen the most important, indeed the all-decisive, one.