‘American Idol': How did Knoxville-area singer Cay Aliese do during Hollywood Week?

Dandridge singer Cay Aliese’s “American Idol” journey has come to end. But even though she auditioned for the competition show during one of her darkest moments, she’s leaving the experience filled with hope.

Aliese, 24, received three yeses from celebrity judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie during her audition. She made it to the Hollywood round and was mentored by former “American Idol” stars Jordin Sparks and Justin Guarini. Unfortunately, she was cut from the competition during the episode that aired April 3.

“I made it to Hollywood week and was sent home, but I left there with a sense of confidence and freedom knowing this was just the beginning of my journey,” she wrote in a Facebook post.

“At the darkest moment of my life, I was surrounded by so much hope and light and I will forever be thankful,” Aliese added.

She auditioned for the show just a few months after her father, Nolan Neal, unexpectedly died in Nashville last year. Neal was also a musician who appeared on competition shows “The Voice” and “America’s Got Talent.”

“’American Idol’ gave me the opportunity to just really go through the grieving process of losing my dad, but also find the artist that I want to be while he's not here and do things for myself,” Aliese told Knox News in March.

The singing competition helped her find her love of music again. Aliese’s new song, “You Broke All Your Promises” will be released April 15. And more music will be released soon, music she hopes helps people get overcome dark times.

“It's a blessing to get to do things like this, to get paid to do music, but I'm doing this because I want to change lives,” she previously told Knox News. “I want to be a light to the world,” she added.

Though Aliese has exited the competition, the 21^st season of “American Idol” airs 8 p.m. Sundays and Mondays on ABC.

Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com. Twitter @dturner1208. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knoxville-area singer Cay Aliese’s American Idol fate revealed