American Idol: Katy Perry stuns Jay Copeland with platinum ticket as auditions conclude on ABC show

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Katy Perry stunned a Maryland musician who dropped out of graduate school by giving him a platinum ticket on Monday's episode of American Idol on ABC.'It's the 20th year of creating superstars and you're a superstar,' said Katy, 37, to Jay Copeland, 23, a musician from Salisbury, Maryland. 'I think you are worth all the platinum.'Before his audition, Jay told the judges that after college he entered a graduate program for the arts, but was then told that he needed to choose between acting and music.

Auditions over:Katy Perry stunned a Maryland musician who dropped out of graduate school by giving him a platinum ticket on Monday's episode of American Idol on ABC'I was given an ultimatum to choose between the two,' said Jay. 'I was told I couldn't have it all so ...I dropped out.'Jay told them that decided to come on American Idol after giving up his fellowship because he didn't know 'if I made the right decision or the wrong decision, but I do know that I made the best decision for myself.' For his audition, he performed Signed, Sealed & Delivered by Stevie Wonder and when he finished all the judges gave him a standing ovation.'Let me tell you, I have been alive a very long time and you just don't jump on a Stevie Wonder song,' said judge Lionel Richie, 72. 'You owned it and on top of that you were having so much fun.' Platinum ticket: Jay Copeland received the last platinum ticket allowing him to skip a round during Hollywood Week as auditions concluded on the ABC show'I am telling you, your talent is off the chain,' said Lionel. 'We've been waiting for you to walk in the door.

Hallelujah.'Country singer Luke Bryan, 45, also was full of praise.'Lionel said it. We have been waiting on a kid like you.