American Idol returns to ABC on Sunday, Feb. 27. Here’s more about Yoli.
* She’s a first generation Cuban-American and an alternative R&B and soul singer based in Miami, Fla.
* In 2017, at age 21, she made the semifinals on America’s Got Talent, dazzling the judges with her cover of Rihanna’s “Love on the Brain.”
* Her audition was also rather memorable thanks to what smelled like Simon Cowell created drama. Yoli was just a few words into a cover of “I Put a Spell on You” when Simon stopped the music, declaring that it wasn’t working for him. He wanted to see a younger, fresher Yoli. Seconds later, after losing the earrings, necklace and high heels she walked on stage in, she launched into a soulful version of “Make It Rain” that won his approval.
* Having been bullied because of her weight in high school, Yoli said she hoped to help promote body image positivity. “I want to teach little girls that they can be both the warrior and the princess,” Mayor told The Miami New Times.
* But her vocal talent was recognized before she appeared on the show. At age 20, she was touring with the late José José, a Latin pop music icon. Yoli told the New Times that was a stroke of luck. She was working at American Eagle, singing to the songs playing in the store. A co-worker and friend who heard her singing was José José’s daughter.
* Yoli’s only release to date is a four-song Live at the Sugar Shack EP, released in Jun 2020. It features a cover of Camila Cabello’s ‘Havana” and a Yoli original called “Fire” that you can check out below.
* Yoli told America’s Got Talent that she started singing at age 2 and always wanted to be a singer.
* She wound up winning her first talent show when she was 10 and performed her first paying gig at age 17, telling the New Times “the response I got was so profound. I never felt more at home.”
Yoli Mayor on social media:
Instagram
Twitter
Facebook
YouTube
American Idol Season 20 profiles
The links take you to the profiles of singers who auditioned for Season 20 of American Idol.
Allegra Miles
Ashley Blaire
Ava Maybee
Betty Maxwell
Cadence Baker
Carly Mickeal
Christian Guardino
Ciasia Nicole
Cole Wesley Ritter
Corey Curtis
Dakota Hayden
Dan Marshall
Danielle Clavell
Danielle Finn
Douglas Mills, Jr.
Elli Rowe
Elliot Greer
Emyrson Flora
Fritz Hager
Hunter Girl
Jacob Moran
Jay Copeland
Joedi Silvers
Jordan Chase Torrez
Jourdan Blue
Katyrah Love
Kaylin Roberson
Kendra Checketts
Kenedi Anderson
Kevin Gullage
Kezia Istonia (a.k.a. Lady K.)
Kirk Richmond
Leah Marlene
Lexi Weege
Max Embers
Mike Parker
Nicolina Bozzo
Noah Thompson
Olivia Faye
Paige Fish
Ryan Argast
Ryleigh Madison
Sage
Sam Moss
Scarlet Ayliz
Sir Blayke
Tobias Hill
Tristen Gressett
Tyler Allen
Valerie Marie
Wennely Quezada
Yoli Mayor
Featured Music
Luck of the Draw
Laci Kaye Booth, Top 5 on American Idol Season 17, recently dropped a new single. And if you somehow missed her 2024 album, "Loneliest Girl in the World," do yourself a favor and check it out!
The Voice Season 28 profiles
MORE BELOW
The Voice Season 28 Profiles
Conrad Khalil
Cori Kennedy
Daron Lameek
DEK of Hearts (Trio)
Dustin Dale Gaspard
Elias Gomez
Emmanuel Rey
Jack Austin
Jazz McKenzie
Kanard Thomas
Kayleigh Clark
Kenny Iko
Kirbi
Lauren Anderson
Letter to Elise
Leyton Robinson
Liam von Elbe
Lucas Beltran
Makenzie Phipps
Manny Costello
Marty O’Reilly
Max Chambers
Max Cooper III
Mindy Miller
Natalia Albertini
Peyton Kyle
Ralph Edwards
Revel Day
Rob Cole
Ryan Mitchell
Sadie Dahl
Shan Scott
Teo Ramdel
Toni Lorene
Trinity Giselle
Vinya Chhabra
Yoshihanaa (Ashton Beauchesne)
Archives
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Who we’ll meet Monday on The Voice
March 8, 2026 By Mark Franklin -
A look at who should make the Top 20 on American Idol
March 7, 2026 By Mark Franklin -
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Song by song grades for the Top 8 on American Idol
April 29, 2024 By Mark Franklin -
Iam Tongi scores an Apple Music hit for American Idol
May 19, 2023 By Mark Franklin -
Song by song grades for the Top 12 on The Voice
December 4, 2023 By Mark Franklin -
Song by song grades for the Top 14 on American Idol
April 21, 2024 By Mark Franklin -
Song by song grades for American Idol’s Top 24, Group 2
April 8, 2024 By Mark Franklin
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We haven’t heard the last from David Archuleta
February 21, 2011 By Mark Franklin -
Meet American Idol contestant Hollie Cavanagh
January 30, 2012 By Mark Franklin -
Meet American Idol contestant Jessica Sanchez
February 5, 2012 By Mark Franklin -
Meet American Idol contestant Phillip Phillips
January 19, 2012 By Mark Franklin
Post-Voice Music
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Details on American Idol’s new Ohana Round
March 8, 2026 By Mark Franklin -
Who we’ll meet Monday on The Voice
March 8, 2026 By Mark Franklin -
A look at who should make the Top 20 on American Idol
March 7, 2026 By Mark Franklin
-
Song by song grades for the Top 8 on American Idol
April 29, 2024 By Mark Franklin -
Iam Tongi scores an Apple Music hit for American Idol
May 19, 2023 By Mark Franklin -
Song by song grades for the Top 12 on The Voice
December 4, 2023 By Mark Franklin
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We haven’t heard the last from David Archuleta
February 21, 2011 By Mark Franklin -
Meet American Idol contestant Hollie Cavanagh
January 30, 2012 By Mark Franklin

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