Trey Lewis auditioned for "American Idol" with hopes of making it to Hollywood, but left with a profoundly supportive panel of celebrity judges. During the Feb. 26 show, 21-year-old Katy Perry broke down in tears as she revealed she survived the 2018 mass shooting at Santa Fe High School in Texas that left 10 people dead With a full face, he made an impassioned call for attention to gun violence.
During the audition, Louis performed Whiskey Myers' 2018 single "Stone" to a standing ovation from the judges and Luke Bryan asking him why he was auditioning. While his first answer praised the show's tradition of finding superstars, his second answer surprised the judges. "In May of 2018, a shooter walked into my school," Lewis said. "I was in Art Room 1 and he shot into Art Room 2 before going to Art Room 1. I lost a lot of friends. Eight students were killed. Two teachers were killed. It's really negative, man. "
After telling his story, Perry buried his head in his hands and burst into tears. "Our country is fucking failing us!" she yelled, to which Louis simply replied: "Facts." Perry continued: "That's not okay! You should be here singing because you love music! Not because of you Gotta go through that shit. You don’t have to lose eight friends. I want you to remind people that we have to change, because, you know? I’m afraid, too.”
Lionel Richie had similar feelings, telling Louis: "We've tolerated this for too long, too long. It's become the norm." After a moment of calm, the judges The decision was unanimous to move Louis to the next round and hugged him as he walked out of the audition room.
Perry has long advocated for gun control reform. In 2016, she joined the likes of Lady Gaga and Selena Gomez after the Senate failed to pass new gun control measures in four votes following the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting and the gunshot death of musician Christina Grimmie. The stars signed an open letter to Congress together. In 2021, she lent her 2010 hit "Teenage Dream" to a gun violence PSA organized by Sandy Hook Promise, a 2012 Non-profit organization formed by families of victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.
Perry asked Louis one last thing before sending him on his way. "We have to change," she said. "I'd like you to take the lead. Can you do me this favor?" He happily accepted. "For myself, for my school, for you," he told her. "You're right. Yes ma'am."
