Sonika Vaid, American Idol contestant and the first Indian-American to reach this far in the national singing competition, Thursday night advanced to the next round of the contest.

Vaid has continued to surprise us throughout American Idol 2016, both with her often bold song choices and her ability to actually pull them off. Not many singers are willing to take on Celine Dion during a reality TV singing competition, for example. But Sonika went there and did that, and it ended up being a really great performance.
Out of 10 contestants, two were eliminated. Eight advanced, including 20-year-old Vaidya. Two more contestants will be eliminated in next week’s episode.

Vaid sang “Since U Been Gone” by Kelly Clarkson.

Harry Connick, Jr. and Jennifer Lopez said Vaid’s voice was fantastic but her physical performance needed work.

All eyes have been focused on Vaid, who has impressed judges of the competition, the audience and especially the Indian-American community.

The 20-year-old Vaid is an Indian-American whose parents came to the United States as kids. She is a summer resident of Martha’s Vineyard, MA, and a 2013 graduate of Weston High School, Weston, MA. Currently, she is a sophomore at William Smith College in New York.