Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Zaylie Windsor performs Monday night on American Idol. (ABC Photo)

Zaylie Windsor vowed to “stay true to myself” in a message posted to social media following her American Idol elimination.

Zaylie, 18, of Safford, Ariz., was cut Monday night when the show went from a Top 20 to a Top 14.

Still, she seemed pleased with her run on the show, which included a cover of Billie Eilish’s “Happier Than Ever” in the Showstopper round in Hollywood.

The American Idol judges were so impressed with that performance that they awarded Zaylie an automatic pass into the Top 24, allowing her to skip the head-to-head duets that followed.

“This has truly been such an incredible experience,” Zaylie wrote on Instagram. “i’ve made so many friendships through this, and i’ve learned so much about myself.

“To go from that first audition in my bedroom, singing an original song, in my small hometown, to TOP 20 is insane to me.

I will continue to stay true to myself, to who i am, for my art. thank you all so so much for the support and kind comments and messages. You guys make me feel like this dream is actually possible. I will keep rocking!”

As Zaylie noted, she auditioned with an original song — “The Used.” She hasn’t released music yet, but you’d have to think that will come soon.

In a January social media post, she indicated she’d started recording some of her music at a studio in Stafford.

Zaylie also took to social media earlier this week to explain her decision to sing “Silver Springs” by Fleetwood Mac / Stevie Nicks on Sunday’s show.

In the process, she revealed that she’d been bullied growing up because of her love of music.

“I played my first gig at 12 years old, joined my first band at 13, won my first battle of the bands at 14, and since then it’s been up from there, but not without some trials.

“I was bullied a lot for my love of music, (oddly) and that pushed me into some really dark places. i couldn’t understand why something i was SO much of was a target for hate.

“I had a lot of hard years. and, after all that, i’m still standing, a little taller and a little braver. music saved my life, music is my faith.”

You can follow Zaylie at the following social media links:
Instagram
TikTok
Facebook
YouTube