Did he get the golden ticket to Hollywood? Kanye West’s full American Idol audition was released on Monday, January 4.
The rapper and fashion designer, 38, originally auditioned for the upcoming 15th and final season of the show last October.
“My name is Kanye. I’m from the South Side of Chicago,” West says in the footage from his tryout, introducing himself to judges Jennifer Lopez, Harry Connick Jr. and Keith Urban. “I’m originally a producer. I always wanted to rap and no one really believed in me, so I wanted to try some things out, ya know?”
The camera then pans to host Ryan Seacrest, who is watching West on a monitor alongside longtime friend and Yeezy’s wife, Kim Kardashian — pregnant with their son, Saint West, at the time.
“I’m not really nervous because I do really believe in him,” the Keeping Up With the Kardashians star, 35 — who shared a sneak peek of the audition last December — tells Seacrest. “I didn’t give any advice on singing, rapping. I just really hope the judges believe in him.”
Meanwhile, Lopez, 46, asks West what he’s going to perform.
“I just wanted to do something original,” he says. “It has one of the judges’ names in it.”
“It better f–king be me,” the “On the Floor” singer hilariously whispers back.
Sure enough, the Grammy winner begins to sing his 2005 hit single, “Gold Digger,” in which he raps, “Jennifer Lopez, four kids,” in one of the catchy tune’s memorable lines.
After he finishes, the judges immediately hand West a golden ticket to Hollywood, with no deliberation required!
“I can’t believe it!” West exclaims, jumping up and down in excitement.
American Idol: The Farewell Season premieres on Fox Wednesday, January 6, 8 p.m. EST.
Watch the video above!
