Lionel Richie found himself deeply moved during the latest episode of “American Idol,” as a contestant’s emotional performance and heartfelt story brought him to tears. The popular ABC singing competition set the stage for a memorable moment when an aspiring young singer shared her journey and the challenges she faces at home.

Nineteen-year-old Lanii made an impactful appearance at the Nashville auditions, marking her first plane trip from her hometown of Phoenix, Arizona. With a powerful rendition of Demi Lovato’s “Tell Me You Love Me,” she captured both the judges’ attention and their emotions.

Before her performance, Lanii opened up about the motivation behind her audition. She revealed that her participation was inspired by her father, Efren, who is currently in the ICU, waiting for a liver transplant due to years of battling alcohol abuse. It was Efren who encouraged her to pursue her dreams and try out for the show.

“He’s in the ICU right now, so this is all for him,” Lanii shared, her voice filled with determination. “I’m doing this for him. He believed in me, and I’m here because of that. I want this more than ever now.”

Despite her insecurities about her voice, Lanii emphasized the unwavering belief her father had in her talent. “My dad believed in me when nobody else did. He saw something in me even when I didn’t see it myself. He’s the kindest person in the world,” she expressed.

However, her journey has not been without its struggles. Lanii recounted the difficult moments of witnessing her father’s ongoing battle with addiction, a struggle that began long before she was born. Through tearful eyes, she recalled nights filled with tears as her father, promising each evening that it would be his last drink, stumbled upstairs.

Lionel Richie was moved to tears after watching an American Idol contestant sing and hearing the story of her sick father during Monday’s episode of the ABC singing competition

The high school student said Efren did eventually quit drinking, but the damage was done: ‘I really want my dad to be in my future but this could be my last chance to show him his daughter tried for him.’

After wowing the judges with her powerful pipes, judge Lionel Richie wiped away the tears and admitted to Lanii: ‘You got me all messed up over here in the corner.’

‘What you told us about your dad and how you got here and then you walked in this door with this bubbling personality and gave us an artist,’ the 76-year-old R&B legend said.

‘I think that’s what we’re happy about. It’s pretty uplifting to see the human spirit. And you’re a perfect example of it. I really want to see you go forward, it’s a yes from me.’

Judge Luke Bryan acknowledged Lanii had ‘a hard journey’ and praised her for being ‘so brave and real and open with us and you’re not hiding anything. You’re not trying to be something you’re not.’

Judge Carrie Underwood agreed: ‘You have an incredible voice. I don’t even know if you know what you could be capable of but you completely owned that. That was awesome.’

Lanii not only got three yeses and the golden ticket, she got a rare group hug from the judges, whom she thanked profusely.

Contestant Lanii took her ‘first plane ride’ from her native Phoenix, AZ to attend the third round of auditions in Nashville, TN where she belted Demi Lovato’s 2017 song Tell Me You Love Me

The 19-year-old aspiring singer revealed she tried out for the reality show at the urging of her father Efren, who’s awaiting a liver transplant after years of alcohol abuse

‘He’s in the ICU right now — so this is all for him. I’m doing this for him, he believed in me and I’m here and I want this more than ever now,’ Lanii explained. ‘I’m very insecure about my voice but my dad believed in me when nobody else did’

The high school student said Efren did eventually quit drinking, but the damage was done: ‘I really want my dad to be in my future but this could be my last chance to show him his daughter tried for him’

After wowing the judges with her powerful pipes, judge Lionel Richie wiped away the tears and admitted to Lanii: ‘You got me all messed up over here in the corner’

‘What you told us about your dad and how you got here and then you walked in this door with this bubbling personality and gave us an artist,’ the 76-year-old R&B legend said. ‘I think that’s what we’re happy about. It’s pretty uplifting to see the human spirit. And you’re a perfect example of it. I really want to see you go forward, it’s a yes from me’

Lanii not only got three yeses and the golden ticket, she got a rare group hug from all three judges, whom she thanked profusely

Fans can catch more from season 24 of American Idol each Monday on ABC, Disney+ and Hulu

Fans can catch more from season 24 of American Idol each Monday on ABC, Disney+ and Hulu.

Meanwhile, Richie is next scheduled to perform live on May 15 at the Acrisure Amphitheater in Grand Rapids, MI.

The four-time Grammy winner has sold over 125 million records and pulls 11.2 million monthly listeners on Spotify, but he hasn’t released new music since his 10th studio album Tuskegee back in 2012.