Hoosier Cam Amen received a standing ovation and hugs from the judges after his emotional rendition of 'Hallelujah' during his American Idol audition.
The 27-year-old was one of two singers from central Indiana who moved forward at the American Idol auditions on Sunday.
Amen, who was born in Anderson, shared his story of growing up in and out of foster care before wowing the judges with his singing.
"I just remember being taken out of my classroom by police officers," he said during his audition recording. "We were crying and waiting for mom. She never came."
Amen said as soon as he turned 18 he took in his brother and sister so he could help raise them. His siblings are 20 and 21 now.
All three judges, Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan, gave Amen a standing ovation before awarding him the coveted Platinum ticket.
"I don't have anyone I've seen in this chair to compare you to," Bryan told Amen.
But Amen wasn't the only Indiana native making a name for herself on Sunday, Mikenley Brown, 17, also moved forward, landing her ticket to Hollywood and the next round of auditions.
Brown, from New Castle, also caught the judges attention with her unique style. She was accompanied by her father.
Although Amen gets to skip the first round in Hollywood you can watch Brown as Hollywood week starts off next Sunday & Monday, April 2 & 3 on ABC.
-
How Reverend Malachi Walker is curbing violence in Indianapolis
Every day, Walker works tirelessly to curb youth violence and encourages community support for the young men he mentors.Madison County Sheriff's Department finds missing autistic 12-year-old
he Madison County Sheriff's Department is asking for the public's help to locate a missing 12-year-old boy on Thursday.Silver Alert issued for missing 37-year-old man from Anderson
Indiana State Police have issued a Silver Alert for a 37-year-old man missing from Anderson since Tuesday, July 1.Overnight crash claims life of motorcyclist on I-465; man arrested for OWI
Troopers from the Indiana State Police are investigating an overnight crash that resulted in the death of a motorcyclist on Thursday.