Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Now this was unexpected.
A new video was released by American Idol (AI) on YouTube showing Kanye West “auditioning” for the latest – and last – season of the reality show.
West was not his usual scowly self in the video as he was smiling and joking with celebrity judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban, and Harry Connick Jr.
In his “audition video,” West said he was “originally a producer,” but that he has always wanted to rap, however no one believed in him.
Urban then replied, “I hope that works out, man.”
And it’s not just Yeezy who shows up in the clip, his wife – reality show star Kim Kardashian – also makes an appearance.
In the video, Kardashian was asked by AI host Ryan Seacrest if she was nervous for West. She said she wasn’t because she really did believe in him.
Asked if she had any words of advice for West, Kardashian said, “I didn’t give any advice on singing, rapping, I just, you know, I hope they really believe in him.
The video then cuts to West who was asked by Lopez what he was going to do for them.
West said he was going to perform “an original” which had the name of one of the judges in it.
West then proceeds to rap from “Gold Digger” to which Lopez lipsynced.
After performing, Urban handed West a golden ticket – an auditioner’s pass to the next round of the reality show’s elimination process.
West played along, raising his arms in the air and cheering.
American Idol’s upcoming season, its 15th, will be its last. It has launched the careers of such artists as Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and Fantasia Barrino who, between them, have won countless awards.
One of its most noted alumni, Jennifer Hudson, failed to win during her season but won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 2007 for her role in the film adaptation of the Broadway musical Dreamgirls.
Season 15 of American Idol will begin on January 6.
