Fans of American Idol were treated to a musical surprise on Monday’s broadcast. They got to see Grace Kinstler, a fan favorite from Season 19, crooning to the cover of Rather Be with Willie Spence on May 2, 2022, on ABC. On American Idol’s The Great Idol Reunion, the two vocalists sang a song by Clean Bandit starring Jess Glynne, pleasing both the judges and the crowd.
Everything you need to know about Grace Kinstler from American Idol.
Grace Kinstler, an Illinois native and Season 19 American Idol candidate who finished third in the finals, pursued her love beyond the singing competition. She was “working” on her “own projects” after the competition, “getting ready to record some things, release some stuff, and then work on other people’s projects.” She eventually released her first track, Breaking Myself, last week to pay respect to her late father and make her way into the music business.
The 20-year-old vocalist began her American Idol season 19 adventure by performing Gladys Knight & The Pips Midnight Train To Georgia and Aretha Franklin’s (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman. Her beautiful voice and performance wowed judge Luke Bryan and moved him to tears. During the audition, a fervent Bryan stated:
“I’m moved to tears by people’s tales and backgrounds, but this is the first time in four years that someone’s singing has moved me to tears.”
She also mentioned that her father died when she was 19 years old, during the audition. She informed the panel of judges:
“My father was unquestionably my most ardent supporter.” He died abruptly in February, which was quite difficult. I know he’d be right here with me right now if he were still alive, so I’m going to do this for him today…”
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Career
Kinstler’s musical career began with her “family room” karaoke machine performing “Jingle Bells.” She insisted on having her “entire family” witness her performance. She performed her first theatrical appearance when she was ten years old. When asked about her debut appearance at Music Mayhem, she stated:
“My first performance, I’d say, where I was singing was when I was 10 years old, and it was a local musical theater event.” But before that, I danced from the age of four to twelve.”
“Miley Cyrus, simply because of that entire Hannah Montana feel throughout her early years,” she says, had a big impact on her. She sang All By Myself by Celine Dion and I Have Nothing by Whitney Houston in the season 19 music competition finals. Despite her powerful performance, she was eliminated because she garnered fewer votes than Willie Spence and Chayce Beckham.
