Former Miss GA, Miss America advances to Hollywood Week on ‘American Idol’

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Georgia royalty is advancing to Hollywood Week after unanimously passing her audition on ‘American Idol.’

Betty Maxwell, whose maiden name was Cantrell, was briefly Miss Georgia in 2015 before she won the 2016 Miss America competition.

Maxwell was the first contestant to appear on Sunday’s Nashville auditions episode of ‘American Idol’ on Channel 2.

She performed the first-ever ‘American Idol’ winner Kelly Clarkson’s first single “A Moment Like This” for judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan.

The ‘American Idol’ winner theme continued when Maxwell performed Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus Take the Wheel.”

While Perry couldn’t keep her hands off of Maxwell’s Miss America crown, Maxwell got her hands on a golden ticket to Hollywood when all three judges voted to advance her.

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During last week’s premiere episode, contestant Taylor Fagins performed an original song he wrote in tribute to Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor.

The ‘American Idol’ audition rounds continue on Sunday nights on Channel 2.

‘American Idol’ runner-up says it’s not the last you’ll see of him Georgia’s own ‘American Idol’ finalist might have came up just a little short of the title, but his musical career is just getting started.

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