Assistant preschool teacher from Buffalo wows ‘American Idol’ judges. Here's what happened

Following a year of heartbreak, tragedy and trauma, Buffalo needed some good news — and got it Sunday night when “American Idol” gave an assistant teacher from the Queen City a ticket to Tinseltown.

Matt Wilson’s audition, featured on the Feb. 26 installment of the singing competition, got a standing ovation from judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan.

“You have a purity and a believability,” music legend Richie told the 21-year-old following his performance of “For Tonight,” by Giveon. “I just love the fact that it’s genuine. I must say, I love your presentation. The sky’s the limit, my friend.”

Said country star Bryan, “That was one of the most genuine, honest, real performances I’ve ever witnessed. … Have you gotten close to record deals before?”

Wilson replied, “No, that’s never happened to me.” Just being able to audition on the show was a dream come true, he said.

Now, he’s about to realize another one, having been selected by the trio to move on to the Hollywood round of “Idol.”

A graduate of the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts, Wilson works in a preschool classroom at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Buffalo.

In a pre-performance segment, he said he loves his job. “Every time I walk in these doors, I know I’m doing something special, something really important. I grew up having a big appreciation for teachers. I know they play a really large role in how the kids develop and become little humans.”

And he hopes his experience on Season 21 of “Idol” inspires them.

“I want to show them that no matter who you are or what you look like, you know, you can definitely do the same thing,” he said. “I’m just a regular guy.”

He told the judges he couldn’t have done it without the encouragement of his wife, Melissa. “She’s the reason why I started to dream again,” he said. “If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be here in front of you guys.”

Pop star Perry said she's glad his wife pushed him to give his dream a shot, “because you’ve got something.”

After the audition, Melissa told the judges that the first time she heard Matt sing was when the two were in middle school. “At that age, to be able to sing like that, he blew my mind. He still does, every day,” she said.

The program is on at 8 p.m. Sunday nights on ABC (although the March 12 broadcast is being pushed back until after the Oscars), and more auditions will air before Hollywood Week starts.

Webster resident Jack Rogan, 20, also is among the Season 21 hopefuls. He taped his audition last November in Nashville, but it hasn’t been shown yet.

He also was featured on Season 21 of NBC’s “The Voice.”

Reporter Marcia Greenwood covers general assignments. Send story tips to mgreenwo@rocheste.gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @MarciaGreenwood.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: 'American Idol' contestant Matt Wilson wows judges