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American Idol reminded us of what it’s really about last night, Jan. 24. Forget the Nicki Minaj/Mariah Carey feud. When the judges were stunned by contestant Burnell Taylor and his soaring voice, it proved that it’s still about discovering pure, exhilaratibing talent!

When 19 year-old Burnell Taylor started singing in front of judges Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj, Keith Urban, and Randy Jackson, they were genuinely not prepared for their own emotional reactions.

Burnell couldn’t have looked less like a potential star. The Baton Rouge contestant’s best accessory was his big smile but he didn’t exactly dress up for the occasion, performing in aqua shorts and a white t-shirt.

As it turned out, what Burnell wore was irrelevant. It’s what came out of his mouth when he started to sing the song, “I’m Here” from The Color Purple ,that mattered.

His voice was bold, rich, soaring, and full of expressive emotion.

Idol Judges Were Brought To Tears

The judges were genuinely shocked — happily shocked!

Mariah was so blown away that she started to weep. “Burnell made me cry. Burnell’s tone is ridiculous,” she told him. “I loved it — I felt every word you sang. Just spectacular!”

Nicki pointed out what both they and we, the audience, needed to be reminded of. “This is what we came for. I feel like we’ve been driving all around the country looking for that thing, that thing that can’t even be put into words, the thing that gives you chills and goosebumps,” she rightly pointed out.

Aren’t You Sick of Reading About Judges Feuding, Instead Of About Contestants’ Talents?

Here’s the bottom line – American Idol is fighting for ratings. It used to be the only major national singing talent show. Now it’s competing with The X Factor and The Voice.

And hasn’t it seemed that almost all the attention this season has been focused on the show’s high-powered judges — especially Mariah and Nicki — and their jealous feuding.

But Burnell and his voice powerfully put the focus back where it’s supposed to be — on the wildly talented “normal” young men and women just desperate for a break.

Burnell epitomizes those hopefuls who are bursting with vocal talent who have no money or connections, no access to music agents and PR people. They have no idea how to turn their hopes, dreams, passions, and talents into real-life careers in music.

Their only chance is to sing their hearts out at an American Idol audition, just like Burnell did.

Now Burnell, a New Orleans native, whose family lost everything in Hurricane Katrina, is going to Hollywood, where he deserves to make it to the American Idol finals.

Isn’t American Idol Supposed To Be About Discovering Talent and Changing Lives?

He could be uplifted from unemployment (he currently has no job) to mega-stardom — which he deserves. He has a voice as suited for Broadway as Jennifer Hudson or Fantasia Barrino‘s.

So that’s the true miracle of American Idol and the real reason that we were meant to tune into the show when it was launched 12 years ago.

Now Burnell says he was so overwhelmed by the reaction of the judges to his audition that he was “speechless.” “I mean, how many people could make Mariah Carey cry?” “I couldn’t say nothing, nothing popped into my head,” he admitted in a post-audition interview.

Nevertheless, Burnell has confidence in his abilities going forward in the tough competition. He comes from a musical family — his father and grandfather played instruments and sang — and he knows he is “unique.”

American Idol got its’ name because it’s about striving for the “American Dream.” So let’s look forward to fixating on Burnell’s quest and the quest of other talented hopefuls, instead of diva behavior and hissy fits by any of the judges!

WATCH: Burnell Taylor Auditions – AMERICAN IDOL SEASON 12

More Idol News:

1. Lazaro Arbus, ‘American Idol’s’ Stuttering Contestant Is An Inspiration
2. ‘American Idol’ Recap: Mariah Carey Moved To Tears By Katrina Victim
3. ‘American Idol’: Candice Glover Returns — ‘Best Audition This Season’