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Ryan Seacrest

Ryan Seacrest

Ryan is quite simply one of the most influential, well-regarded, and well-known names in Hollywood. He is the quintessential Hollywood insider who...Full Bio

 

Ryan Seacrest Brings Viral 7-Year-Old Singer Malea to “American Idol”

Superstar in the making! After impressing the world by performing a perfect rendition of the National Anthem at an LA Galaxy game last weekend, 7-year-old songstress Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja is headed to American Idol!

It all happened after Ryan Seacrest connected with Malea live on-air earlier this week. In case you missed it, the tiny, but mighty, 7-year-old adorably shared with Ryan that her goal — among a bevy of other ambitions such as becoming a doctor — is to be a singer and jam alongside the likes of Christina Aguilera.

“I started singing when I was 1 — even before I could talk,” Malea previously told Ryan. “When I was three my dad started putting me in singing lessons.”

And, they paid off, because this little one is headed to Idol

In what capacity? Well, RS wouldn’t divulge just yet ...

“I will tell you this,” Ryan shared on-air on Friday, September 28, “We are bring Malea to Idol. She’s going be on American Idol. … I cannot reveal [in what capacity] … [but], the judges might be surprised.”

“She deserves to audition for American Idol for 2026,” Ryan continued. “I was thinking we could do like the future class. You could do like really talented kids now and then give them a pass for when they’re old enough.”

Watch back the on-air moment in the clip above and click here to hear Malea’s viral National Anthem performance