Who is Sonny Tennet? U.K Singer Wows Judges With Lionel Richie Cover on ‘American Idol’ Preview

The half-hour season 23 preview of “American Idol,” airing after the Oscars on March 2, 2025, kicks off with an audition by U.K. singer Sonny Tennet. His appearance marks not only the first audition of the new season, but also Carrie Underwood’s first audition in her new role as a judge on the show.

Tennet didn’t disappoint, delivering a jaw-dropping rendition of the Lionel Richie classic “Easy Like Sunday Morning,” which left all three judges smiling from ear-to-ear. So who is Sonny Tennet? Read on to find out.

British Singer Sonny Tennet Has a Record Deal, But Hopes to Make It in America

Born Stevie Jay Tennet in South Shields, England, the 25-year-old singer has gone by the stage name Sonny Tennet since he was 14, when he started performing live with his dad on the Tyneside pub circuit, according to his talent agency, Wasserman.

In the season 23 preview, provided in advance to EntertainmentNOW, host Ryan Seacrest asks Tennet before his audition whether his hometown on northern England is “quite proper.” Tennet adorably replies that it actually “a bit rough and ready.”

Tennett landed a record deal in 2022 and, thanks in part to his popularity on TikTok, his pop stylings have amassed 50 million streams worldwide and have been featured on TV shows like “Love Island.”

“A couple of covers go viral and the next thing you know someone on the other side of the world wants to book you for a show,” he told Northeast. As long as I’m playing live music and getting to travel on the back of that then I’m a happy man. It’s an unreal life.”

But breaking through in the U.S. is no small feat, so Tennet has turned to “American Idol,” hoping to impress the judges and succeed on the show.

“I think every artist’s dream is to break in in America, and this feels like the pinnacle,” he says in the preview.

Lionel Richie Tells Sonny Tennet ‘You Made My Song Your Song’

Tennet’s off to a roaring start, undeterred in his audition by the pressure of being “Carrie’s first contestant,” as fellow judge Luke Bryan tells him in the preview, or performing Richie’s tune in front of him.

As soon as Tennet began singing “Easy Like Sunday Morning” with his acoustic guitar, all three judges had physical reactions, stunned by his skill. Totally delighted, Underwood put her chin in her hands, gazing at him with an ear-to-ear grin and told him afterwards his performance had her “heart aflutter.”

Richie loved Tennet’s cover of his tune, too, giving the singer a standing ovation and telling him, “You made my song your song.”

Tennet brought his girlfriend Louise into the room to hear the judge’s obvious verdict, with all three giving him a “yes” and a golden ticket to Hollywood. Dancing and talking to producers afterward, Tennet said, “This could be the start of something really big.”

Depending on how far Tennet goes in the competition, he may have to postpone a few concert dates; he’s scheduled to perform across England in May and June. The season 23 finale will air in May — though the exact date has not yet been released by ABC.