People are in pain all around the country. People are in need, whether it be for a bodily, emotional, financial, or spiritual need. There are hurting and needy individuals everywhere. Homelessness is a significant problem in large American cities like Los Angeles. People spend their days on the streets of cities like New York City, Chicago, and New Orleans, clawing, scratching, and battling to survive. The incredibly talented vocal group Freedom Singers utilized their appearance on American Idol to draw attention to the problem of the homeless.
They delivered an outstanding performance that had the audience standing. Terry Crews commended the group for their work and message backstage following the group’s audition, breaking down in tears as he did so. Terry said, ‘I want to thank you. ‘I want to express my sincere gratitude for everything you do for the neighborhood and for so many individuals. I’m currently incredibly moved. And I simply want to say thanks for being here. One of the eight members of the group disclosed during their conversation with the judges before to their performance that they are from the Los Angeles Community Action Network (LACAN).
LACAN is a group that works to ‘ensure that people living in poverty have voice, power, and opinion in the decisions that are directly affecting us” and to “help people dealing with poverty create & discover opportunities.’ Following that, the quartet performed a powerful gospel-inspired cover of the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ famous song ‘Under the Bridge.’ It was a deeply poignant and unexpected performance. The camera even captures a young woman in the studio audience wiping her eyes after breaking down in tears.
The group’s emotional performance of “Under the Bridge’ was met with a standing ovation from the studio audience as well as a resounding round of applause. The Freedom Singers receive praise from the judges for their outstanding performance. They receive four judges’ yes votes when it comes time to cast their ballots.