Katy Perry, American Idols, Stefan Benz

Katy Perry. Image via Instagram @stefanbenzofficial

‘Jy gaan Hollywood toe’: Katy Perry speaks Afrikaans on ‘American Idol’

SA singer, Stefan Benz, has wowed the American Idol judges. He scored a golden ticket and got Katy Perry to speak Afrikaans.

Katy Perry, American Idols, Stefan Benz

Katy Perry. Image via Instagram @stefanbenzofficial

Katy Perry is known for her chart-topping hits, fashion sense, and hunky fiancé, Orlando Bloom. But, when she recently started speaking Afrikaans after an American Idols audition, the world gasped. And South Africans cheered.

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KATY PERRY BREAKS OUT IN AFRIKAANS

When South African singer Stefan Benz first stepped out in front of American Idol judges, it seemed like any other audition. But it all changed when the 16-year-old Afrikaans singer from Centurion started singing.

Benz broke out in a soulful rendition of the Brian McKnight song, “One Last Cry,” and the judges, Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie, were more than impressed.

The singer scored himself a golden ticket.

But that wasn’t the most impressive part.

Before giving him his golden ticket, judge Luke Bryan asked Benz to say, “you are going to Hollywood” in Afrikaans.

Soon after, Katy Perry threw her hands in the air and exclaimed: “Jy gaan Hollywood toe!”.

After his golden performance, Benz who told the judges he moved to Los Angeles to chase his dreams of becoming a musician said:

“I got the @americanidol #goldenticket. See you in Hollywood!! Thank you everyone for all the love and support. I see all the comments, posts, tags and my journey is just beginning. Let’s get it!! 🎫✨”.

He even shared a photo of himself with his golden ticket.

Stefan Benz, American Idols, Katy Perry, Afrikaans
Stefan Benz with his American Idols golden ticket. Image via Instagram @stefanbenzofficia.l

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INTERNATIONAL SINGING SENSATION

Since moving to Los Angeles to chase his musical dreams, Benz has rubbed shoulders with international singers like Jennifer Lopez, Avril Lavigne, and Charlie Puth, Jacaranda reports.

After sharing his American Idols success on social media, local stars, and fans soon chimed in with messages of congratulations.

“You go boy🙌,” Afrikaans singer Arno Jordaan wrote.

“Yay!! 👏,” singer Charlize Berg wrote.

“Oh wow! Katy has a good ear, she nailed the accent and the sentence!,” one fan wrote.

“Represent Home boi…you have our prayers and stay proud of where you come from ♥️,” another added.

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