Remember how her version of Bruno Mars’ “Runaway Baby” in American Idol last week didn’t really have everyone raving? Her performance of the gospel song “Take Me to the King” for this week definitely had everyone applauding – and even judge Keith Urban giving her a standing ovation.
Keith said, “Beautiful! Good Lord, that was beautiful! Did you get goosies, Jen? I don’t know the song but it’s beautiful. I like that you started with the piano. It’s crazy beautiful.”
Judge Jennifer Lopez, meanwhile, told Malaya: “I was with you from the very first moment you opened your mouth. I felt like you were telling us a story. I got goosies all over. I had tears in my eyes because I’m so proud of you.”
Judge Harry Connick, Jr. had good words, too: “I felt like you were in danger in your previous performances. This one, you’re very focused. I’m proud that you stayed in control. That takes a lot of guts to do that. The message was there and you didn’t go up the rails right away. You saw it all the way through.”
