Meet Malaya Watson - 'American Idol' Contestant Makes Top 30!

One of our early favorites from the top 30 of American Idol is definitely Malaya Watson!

The 16-year-old contestant gave a powerhouse performance of former winner Fantasia Barrino‘s song “I Believe” to cement her spot in the top 30. She even received a standing ovation from judges Jennifer Lopez and Keith Urban. Watch below!

Malaya hails from Michigan and she is a tuba player in the Southfield High School band.

“I thought it would be a cool idea to audition for American Idol because this has really been my dream all my life since I was a little kid, so I’m trying to make it come true,” Malaya said in her Road to Hollywood video.