The latest season of American Idol brought unexpected surprises, and one contestant, Sophie Powers, certainly made an impression during her audition. She took a bold approach, performing an original song titled “STFU.” While the song’s title alone might raise eyebrows, it’s the content and delivery that really caught the attention of the judges.

Sophie started her audition with a mellow tone, discussing a childhood memory about her pet lizard, George, whom she had given to her mother. “I had a pet lizard named George. He was cool, but he made me really bored, so I gave him to my mom. She loves them very much because animals are better than people,” Sophie explained in her laid-back style before launching into her performance.

The mood quickly shifted when the lyrics of her song took a sharp turn, laced with a series of expletives that left the judges—Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan—in shock. Sophie’s song was filled with defiant lyrics like “Traffic shut the up,” “People shut the up,” and “Groceries shut the up.” The song became an anthem of frustration and rebellion, as she belted out the chorus, saying, “They try to cancel me, cancel me, bother me, bother me, stop bothering me. I don’t even like my job.” With each verse, the song became more irreverent, with Sophie unapologetically taking jabs at various groups, including “Karens” and “Vegans.”

Carrie Underwood, a seasoned judge, was visibly taken aback, attempting to stay composed amidst the unexpected display. Lionel Richie’s response was a mix of disbelief and humor. “I’m mortified. My wife will play me that song every evening,” he remarked, clearly in shock but also somewhat entertained by the audacity of the performance. Luke Bryan, always known for his sense of humor, added, “You should have told me that was going to be your song. I would have shut up.” Despite the unexpected shock factor, the judges kept their cool as they tried to process the bold performance.

Unfortunately for Sophie, her unique performance didn’t earn her a ticket to the next round. After the song, Luke Bryan quickly delivered his verdict, saying, “I’m a no,” and Lionel Richie followed suit with a simple, “It’s a no for me.” Carrie Underwood echoed their sentiment, explaining that while Sophie had a certain energy and creativity, her performance didn’t quite fit the tone of the competition.

Despite the rejection, Sophie remained upbeat and encouraged others to keep pursuing their passions. “You just got to bring your best. Keep dreaming, keep doing what you love no matter what,” she advised. Her message was a reminder that the journey is just as important as the destination, and that staying true to one’s creativity is always worth it.

While Sophie’s time on American Idol was short-lived, her boldness certainly made an impact. The show’s judges might have been left speechless by the performance, but Sophie’s unforgettable audition proved that sometimes, thinking outside the box can leave a lasting impression.