Q&A: From underdog to top dog, Amanda Barise gaining confidence on 'American Idol'

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Singing “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World” on “American Idol” was a moment of redemption for Amanda Barise.

For judges Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood, the rousing performance was divine.

“Oh, my gosh,” a stunned Richie said.

“That's what we call a possession,” he added. “I mean, every once in a while, a possession comes along.”

“Where did that come from?” Underwood asked.

“That was absolutely amazing,” Richie said. “I don't know what to say to you; that was really great.”

“Your pocket – like, just laying in it. Nothing was rushed. Every line you delivered just took us on its own little journey,” Underwood said. “That was … perfection.”

“One of the best I've heard – ever,” Bryan said.

Despite the glowing reviews, Barise, 27, who lives and performs in Chelsea, still identified herself as an “underdog” upon arriving in Los Angeles for the show’s iconic “Hollywood Week.”

Though she has two decades of experience as a professional singer, “I want to be the next ‘American Idol,’ because I want to show that underdogs … can win,” Barise said in her video package.

“Being a full-time vocalist and musician is very hard. In the music industry, you're not always judged off of your voice and off of your talent. The world and environment around me constantly demanded change – to change my sound, to straighten my hair, to lose weight; and part of the reason why it took me so long to come on ‘American Idol’ is the ‘No’s’ that I've received. I was going into that audition really with zero expectation.”

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In her second go-around with the judging panel, Barise chose “All I Could Do Was Cry” by Etta James.

Once again, the reviews were glowing.

Following a standing ovation and some “Whoo”-ing, Bryan emphasized, “You are not an underdog.”

“I feel like one,” Barise replied.

“No, you’re not,” Richie said.

“Quit feeling that way,” Bryan said. “You need to feel like a queen. You need to feel like a diva.”

“You have the ability – just walk out – like, walk out like you have the ability,” Underwood said.

Following a head-to-head vocal battle with Victor Solomon, Barise was chosen to be part of “American Idol’s” Top 24 – and given the opportunity to travel to and perform at Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa in Ko Olina, Hawaii. There, she would receive additional mentoring from chart-toppers Jelly Roll and Josh Groban.

Though the episode was filmed several weeks ago, the results are unknown – the audience will vote while watching new episodes of “American Idol” at 8 p.m. Sunday and Monday (Barise performs on night No. 2).

As she continues to work with the vocal team in L.A. – eager to see if she’s advancing to the next round – Barise said her confidence is improving.

“To experience the ‘Idol’ magic in Ko Olina, Hawaii, at Aulani, was – and is – incredible,” she said. “I’m still reliving it through all of the posts.”

“It was two wonderful nights of incredible performances, and I'm just so excited for everyone to start voting this Sunday and Monday – but more specifically, Monday, for me,” Barise added.

On Friday, she shared more about her “Idol” journey in this edited Q&A.

Amanda Barise has consistently received rave reviews from “American Idol” judges Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood and Lionel Richie.

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BTS: Why “American Idol,” and why this season, in particular?

Amanda Barise: I'm a musician in New York City. I am currently working. That's how I pay my bills. “American Idol” has always been on my radar. I think I was just looking for a change. You can't keep doing the same thing and expecting a different outcome.

I just felt that I was emotionally and vocally ready to handle whatever may be thrown at me. As you know, “Hollywood Week” is absolutely grueling in every way. But I came in prepared.

I think that, not only is “Idol” a really positive and confidence-building experience for young artists like myself, I think it's also the most equitable TV show out there for artists. We benefit; the show benefits.

It was just time. It just felt right, and everything fell into place right at the perfect time. So, I just couldn't say, “No.”

BTS: We saw you casually stroll into your audition and effortlessly impress the judges. What we didn’t see was all the hard work that seemingly went into that performance. What can you tell us about that?

Amanda Barise: The story behind my song choice is really a full-circle moment. When I was a little girl – and I'm talking little, maybe 10, 11, 12 – not older than that – I auditioned for “America's Got Talent” with “It's a Man's World.” And I actually received a “No.” And so, my audition was never aired; never went anywhere.

I always kind of held that close to me over the years. It always bothered me that I got a “No.” And it really kept me away from TV shows, just in general. I've gotten email inquiries from probably every show you could imagine over the course of my career, and I was just always scared. I didn't feel like I was ready. I felt like I wasn't good enough.

Obviously, I'm a plus-size woman with curly hair. I have olive skin. All of those qualities are not usually what is represented on TV, or what's represented on the charts for a successful artist. So, I just continued carving my path in the alternative R&B and alternative jazz scene in New York until I was able to pay my bills and pay my taxes, which is the hardest thing, I think, for everybody.

When I heard that “American Idol” was quite literally going to be up the street from my apartment … I felt like it was a sign. I put all those negative things in my head aside, and I said, “This is the time; now or never; I have to go for it,” because I'm going to age out of this pretty soon. And what better song to pick than the one that I originally got a “No” with at the Manhattan Center as a child?

Getting a “Yes” from the judges in that room with “It's a Man's World” was quite shocking, honestly. When I finished the song, I knew that I'd sang a little bit too long. I knew that I had my eyes closed the majority of the time – maybe as a defense mechanism, just to close out the world; close out the judges; and just show them me, my talent, my heart; and if that is good enough, then they give me a “Yes,” then I'll do the show.

And they gave me a “Yes”; and then they gave me a golden ticket; and then they took a photo with me at the end of the audition. So, every positive thing that could have happened to make that a full-circle moment in my life happened, and it just felt like it was from the universe – just cheering me on.

Amanda Barise performs solo and with partner Victor Solomon on “American Idol.”

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BTS: As I mentioned, you've described yourself as an underdog, and you spoke of the challenges that your industry presents. I'm wondering: How nice has it been to get such positive and useful feedback from the judges and from your fellow competitors – and not just saying you're good, but letting you know you’re someone who's capable of doing this – that you're someone who can be a working, touring, successful artist? What has that meant to you in your growth as an artist and as a person?

Amanda Barise: Receiving such immense positive feedback from people online, the judges, my fellow competitors, has been such a confidence-building aspect of this entire process. I came in a little shy, a little closed off, and I just feel so comfortable now around everyone on stage, performing my songs. I'm making a conscious effort to try to open my eyes more and connect with the audience, connect with the judges, and really tell the story of what I'm singing, because that's always the most important part.

The judges have spoken such kind words to me. After each performance, Luke has even reminded me that I'm not an underdog in this competition, and that I really shouldn't feel like that. It's just been so positive all around. I really have nothing but amazing things to say about “Idol” and everyone I've met so far.

Amanda Barise is online: website // Apple Music // Instagram // YouTube.

“American Idol” airs at 8 p.m. Sunday and Monday on ABC (WKBW-TV Channel 7).

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Slated to perform at Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa in Ko Olina, Hawaii, are “American Idol” Top 24 singers Canaan James Hill, Thunderstorm Artis, Desmond Roberts, Grayson Torrence, Drew Ryn, Filo, Amanda Barise, John Foster, Olivier Bergeron and Josh King.