‘Lord, Make Your Ways My Ways’—17-Year-Old Wows ‘American Idol’ Judges With Original Song About Struggling With Sin

“American Idol” judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Katy Perry were all struck by the sound of Jeffries’ voice.

“I was not expecting that voice,” Bryan said, calling it  “amazingly unique” and saying the judges had not heard a voice like that before. Richie agreed, telling Jeffries, “What I’m in love with is your uniqueness.”

Perry said that Jeffries has a “unique grit…it’s so Mississippi.” 

Bryan described the high schooler’s voice as an “indie film soundtrack voice,” and Perry said, “It’s so raw.” She added, “I can hear that diamond in the rough-ness.”

Perry asked Jeffries if she plays music around town, and Jeffries said, “I was gonna start playing in bars cause we got plenty of ‘em, but there’s an age limit sometimes.”

The pop star asked if “Jennifer Jeffries” was Jeffries real name. When the high school senior said it was, Perry replied, “Names are not an accident. That is your soul right there, and your soul done named you for stardom.” She then gave Jeffries her first yes to go to Hollywood, which was followed by yeses from Ritchie and Byran.

“I’m at a loss of words right now! I cannot express how thankful i am to be going to HOLLYWOOD!!!! LETS GOOOOO WE GOT THE GOLDEN TICKET,” Jeffries posted Sunday night.

Author and speaker Sadie Robertson Huff commented, “You crushed it!! And super cool song!!”

RELATED: Sadie Robertson and Christian Huff on Sex, Singleness and How Farting Helps Prepare You for Marriage