Aretha Franklin’s Granddaughter, Age 15, Auditions For ‘American Idol’ — Watch

In what might be one of the biggest audition shockers in American Idol history, fifteen-year-old hopeful Grace Franklin walked out before the judges and revealed that she is the granddaughter of the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin.

Lionel Richie, who knew Aretha Franklin, was overjoyed to share stories with the teen before her performance and later called himself “Uncle Richie” as he offered advice.

After an initial attempt with a rendition of “Killing Me Softly” that judge Luke Bryan called “a little sleepy,” Katy Perry asked Franklin if she had anything else she could sing.

That turned out to be one of her legendary grandmother’s classic tunes, “Ain’t No Way.”

The clip also features the 15-year-old recalling her relationship with her grandmother.

“I don’t think I could fully grasp the fact that she was famous worldwide,” she said. “Because to me she was always grandma…I was really close to my grandma. I got to see her all the time. I got to travel with her a lot.”

Aretha Franklin died at age 76 in 2018.