Vault: Finalist On American Idol

Summary

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The Bert Show — "Vault: Finalist On American Idol"

Date: November 11, 2025
Host: The Bert Show Cast (Bert, Kristin, Abby, Cassie, Tommy, et al.)
Special Guest: Paris Bennett (American Idol Finalist)

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Episode Overview

This episode is a nostalgic "vault" edition of The Bert Show, featuring a lively and heartfelt interview with Paris Bennett, a then-17-year-old finalist on American Idol. The conversation dives into Paris's unique talent, her family’s musical legacy, life in Los Angeles as a contestant, and her resolve to stay authentic amid rising fame and public comparisons to Fantasia Barrino. The friendly, upbeat, and candid tone brings out Paris's humor, humility, and gratitude for her musical journey.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Paris’s Age and Vocal Maturity

• Hosts express disbelief at Paris's age, given the maturity of her voice.

  • [02:01] Host: “Now we were all convinced that Paris isn't 17 with a voice like that. She's 34 years old and they’re gonna find her out… Paris, can you confirm that I am 17 years old?”
  • [02:17] Paris: “I don't know where that comes from, but it's just a gift from God. But I am 17 now.”

• Paris talks about people underestimating her before hearing her sing.

  • [03:01] Paris: “Everybody's like, she's Mickey Mouse… but you know what? It holds in a big gift. So I don't care.”

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Life as a Young Contestant in Los Angeles

• Paris shares that her mother is her guardian in LA, as required for minors.

  • [03:26] Paris: “No, my mommy's with me.”
  • [03:31] Paris: “They do [require a guardian for those under 18].”

• Adjusting to LA culture—missing Southern staples like Waffle House and sweet tea.

  • [03:43] Paris: “The only thing about LA I have to say. They don’t have a Waffle House… or sweet tea.”

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Handling Pressure and Nerves on American Idol

• Hosts praise Paris’s composure in front of judges and on national TV.
  • [04:18] Host: “You have been so composed on that show… Are you more nervous than you let on?”
  • [04:36] Paris: “I'm never nervous. I just put it in God's hands and let him do what it is that he does… Not a lot of people can say that they've been in the top 24 or now the top 20… treat it like it’s your last.”

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Musical Training and Influences

• Paris recounts her early start in music.

  • [05:17] Paris: “I started singing when I was about four and that was in church at my great grandfather's church in Rockford, Illinois.”
  • [05:37] “The 1996 Olympics, I sang there.”

• Musical development influenced by her talented family—mother, grandmother, great aunt.

  • [06:47] Paris on comparisons to Fantasia: “I have something so big that can't be compared to another because it's from me and it's from my heart…”

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On Being Compared to Fantasia and Embracing Her Uniqueness

• Paris views Fantasia comparisons as a compliment but emphasizes her individuality.

  • [07:03] Paris: “…Fantasia is a big—I am a big fan of hers rather. But really I have something so big that can't be compared to another because it's from me and it's from my heart.”
  • [07:42] “When you see me do Gladys Knight and I was skipping across the stage. I wasn't dancing, I was shouting because I was happy to be there…”

• Church upbringing influences her stage presence.

  • [07:55] “If every chance I get to thank God in a dance, I’m going to do that dance…”

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Music Runs in the Family: The Bennett-Brown Legacy

• Discussion of her family’s musical pedigree:

  • [08:56] Paris: “My mom and my grandma and my great and my great aunt… they were all in the group Sounds of Blackness.”
  • [09:08] “My grandma Ann is now a solo singer and my mother is coming out with an album as well.”
  • [09:46] “Randy Jackson knows my grandmother.”

• Paris insists her familial ties did not give her an unfair advantage.

  • [09:58] Paris: “I waited in the line like everyone else. I went in that room by myself and I got judged by myself… Simon's not my grandma's favorite, you know what I mean?”

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American Idol Contestant Dynamics and Vegas Odds

• Hosts mention Vegas odds placing Paris in the top three.

  • [10:56] Co-host: “Odds makers in Vegas already putting Paris… one of the top three, right?”

• Lighthearted banter about fellow contestant Taylor, whom the hosts gently tease about his age.

  • [11:14] Host: “Taylor's like the 75 year old dude that's… right? He's the guy with all the gray hair.”
  • [11:40] Paris: “But he does have great soul and he has great personality, though… he's a very, very, very, very sweet person and like just down to earth.”

• Humorous moment about Taylor's energetic performances:

  • [11:58] Host: “When he performs, I feel like there should be a paramedic somewhere really, really close by because it looks to me like dude’s going into a seizure…”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Paris on spirituality and nerves:
  • [04:38] “I just put it in God's hands and let him do what it is that he does.”
• Paris on individuality:
  • [07:15] “I have something so big that can't be compared to another because it's from me and it's from my heart.”
• Paris on family influence:
  • [08:17] “You have influences, right, in your household rather than looking for them on TV… I like the Gladys Knights and Aretha Franklins and the Tina Turner's and the only person I've seen so far that's given me that is Fantasia.”
• Paris humorously on LA:
  • [03:43] “The only thing about LA I have to say. They don't have a Waffle House… and they don't have sweet tea either.”
• Hosts on Taylor’s stage presence:
  • [11:58] “When he performs, I feel like there should be a paramedic somewhere really, really close by…”

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:34] Paris sings a snippet of “Can’t Fight the Moonlight.”
• [02:01-02:17] Paris confirms her age and discusses her voice.
• [03:21-03:55] Life in LA, missing Southern comforts.
• [04:18-04:38] Discussion about nerves and Paris’s spiritual approach.
• [05:17-05:37] Paris’s early start and major performances.
• [06:47-07:55] Responding to Fantasia comparisons; discussion of faith and authenticity.
• [08:56-09:46] Family’s music legacy; clarifying no unfair advantage.
• [10:56-11:40] Vegas odds and friendly banter about other Idol finalists.

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Final Thoughts

This vault episode offers an authentic, uplifting, and funny look back at a young Paris Bennett’s American Idol journey. Paris shines through as grounded, humble, and fiercely proud of both her Southern roots and her unique musical gift—a gift shaped by family, faith, and fearless performances. The Bert Show’s warm and playful questioning brings out both her lightheartedness and inner resolve, making the episode a feel-good slice of early-2000s Idol nostalgia.

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Useful for listeners who missed the episode, this recap captures Paris’s personality, her musical journey, the supportive-yet-humorous dynamic of The Bert Show, and the heartfelt moments that defined the interview.

Transcript

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[Radio Host]

This is the vert show. All the hits Q100 and the vert show. We were going to roll into a phone scam there, but then we got a surprise call from.

[Paris Bennett]

But you know that you can't fight the moonlight deep in the dark.

[Radio Host]

This is Paris Venice.

[T-Mobile Advertiser]

American.

[Paris Bennett]

You can't fight it, but Simon is going to get to your heart. Paris, can you step forward?

[Prolon Advertiser]

You're through to the next round.

[Radio Host]

Now we were all convinced that Paris isn't 17 with a voice like that. She's 34 years old and they're gonna find her out. She's gonna get kicked off the show. Paris, can you confirm that I am 17 years old? We thought there can't be. You sound too good. You sound too mature.

[Paris Bennett]

I don't know where that comes from, but it's just a gift from from God. But I am 17 now.

[Co-host 1]

Last time we were talking about American Idaho, we talked about you and bragging about you. I said it, and I mean this as a compliment, but it's just funny to me. Like when you see Police academy and that one officer who has the very faint voice and the real sweet voice and you don't think there's any way she could be a police officer. And then when she'd get mad, she'd get all aggressive and she had this deep voice and that's like you, like, you have such this depth to this voice and this boisterous voice. And then when you're done.

[Prolon Advertiser]

Thank you.

[Co-host 1]

And it's just so cute.

[Radio Host]

So anyway, do people underestimate you before they hear you sing?

[Paris Bennett]

They do. Everybody's like, she's Mickey Mouse and. Or they'll say she's too young and some. I have a lot of comments about my voice, but you know what? It holds in a big gift. So I don't care.

[Co-host 2]

Paris, who is out there with you? Are you out there by yourself in Los Angeles or you with family?

[Paris Bennett]

No, my mommy's with me.

[Co-host 2]

She is. Now, do they require that if you're under 18?

[Paris Bennett]

They do.

[Co-host 2]

They do. Okay.

[Paris Bennett]

You have to have a guardian. And so she's one with me.

[Radio Host]

She looking over your shoulder pretty carefully, I bet. I mean, because you're not in Fayetteville anymore. I mean, LA is a big city.

[Paris Bennett]

It is. The only thing about la I have to say. They don't have a Waffle House.

[Radio Host]

Sweet tea. I forget it. Yeah.

[Paris Bennett]

And they don't have sweet tea either.

[Radio Host]

I know, I know.

[Paris Bennett]

Well, they have tea, but they give you the, like, sugar container thing on the side. And then they're like, here's your tea. And then you're like, you're not gonna mix it in.

[Radio Host]

It's just nice.

[Paris Bennett]

Yeah, you have to ask those kind of questions. But I like la. It's nice. My aunt lives here too, so I have family here too.

[Radio Host]

Paris, I gotta tell you, you have been so composed on that show. Like, I mean, so together. I mean, at my age, if I went on national TV in front of those judges, I would be intimidated and I'm sure I'd choke. But you somehow, someway are able to keep it all together. Are you more nervous than you're letting on?

[Paris Bennett]

I'm not.

[Radio Host]

You're not?

[Paris Bennett]

I'm never nervous. I just put it in God's hands and let him do what it is that he does. And that means there's no nervousness and there's no time for worrying because you're there now. And there's not a lot of people that can say that they've been in the top 24 or now the top 20. And hey, you just gotta do your best and give it your all. Cause treat it like it's your last. And that's exactly what I do.

[Co-host 2]

Paris, you had to do a lot of training to get to this point. Can you tell us about when you started singing and what kind of training you've had? Up until now.

[Paris Bennett]

I started singing when I was about four and that was in church at my great grandfather's church in Rockford, Illinois. And then from there, I just started doing spurts of things. The 1996 Olympics, I sang there.

[Radio Host]

I've heard of that.

[Paris Bennett]

And then as I got older, my voice began to change. Not my speaking voice, but my singing voice began to change. And I started to do. Started doing my own thing and doing my own demo for a little bit. And then I opened for Marion and some other great artists out here. And then, hey, then I got here and then I have my grandma and my mom that I listen to them sing and learn things from them and take different things from them and make them my own and change them how I would change them and how I would do things. And so that's where a lot of my singing comes from.

[Radio Host]

We're talking to a Paris Bennett who is from Fayetteville representing Georgia really well on American Idol. I'm curious, Paris, if you have had any thoughts of. Like, a lot of people are starting to compare your. Your singing voice and sound to Fantasia, and I'm wondering if you think that hurts you because America has kind of seen that Fantasia already.

[Paris Bennett]

You know what? I don't think it hurts me. I take that as a compliment. But I can say this for the record. I can say some good stuff. It's great that a lot of people say that. I like Fantasia and I think because she is. She is a big. I am a big fan of hers rather. But really I have something so big that can't be compared to another because it's from me and it's from my heart. And this is me every day, non stop, 24 hours a day. This is how I am and this is where my spirit is and this is my anointing and this is my gift. And however it may come off, that's America's opinion. You know, that's. That's a choice of people's opinions. But. But Fantasia is a church person and so am I. So everything that happens in church, everybody, we all do the bounce. The church people all do the same thing because that's what we have grown to do. So when we're in church and we're shouting, that's something we do. When you see me do Gladys Knight and I was skipping across the stage. I wasn't dancing, I was shouting because I was happy to be there. That was my time to shine. And if every chance I get to thank God in a dance, I'm going to do that dance so people can compare me to Fantasia. Hey, I take it that's a great compliment.

[Radio Host]

You sound to me like, I mean, you were gonna make it with or without American idols.

[Paris Bennett]

You really believe that I'm going to make it? Because you know what? I have, I have favor. I have favor in God and he's with me this whole, this whole trip and I can't ask for much more. I'm all of him and none of me. And I thank God each day for my gift and my anointing.

[Co-host 2]

Paris, didn't they highlight that you have a famous aunt, a Grammy award winning aunt in your family?

[Paris Bennett]

Didn't they highlight that one more time?

[Co-host 2]

Don't you have a famous singer in your family?

[Paris Bennett]

I do. My mom and my grandma and my great and my great aunt.

[Co-host 2]

Actually your great aunt.

[Paris Bennett]

I think that they were all in the group sounds of blackness.

[Co-host 1]

Okay.

[Prolon Advertiser]

Right.

[Paris Bennett]

And my grandma Ann is now a solo singer and my mother is coming out with an album as well.

[Radio Host]

That sure helps when you have that kind of bloodline.

[Paris Bennett]

For sure it does, it does. Because you have influences, right. In your household rather than looking for them on tv because there's a lot of young artists now that you can't really relate to any kind of like. And me, I like the, you know, I like the Gladys Knights and Aretha Franklins and the Tina Turner's and the only person that I've seen so far that's given me that is Fantasia. So I'm a big fan of hers now.

[Co-host 2]

Didn't Randy Jackson know your great aunt?

[Paris Bennett]

He knows my grandmother.

[Co-host 2]

He knows your grandmother.

[Prolon Advertiser]

Okay.

[Co-host 2]

I saw that during the auditions how he sort of singled her out and came out and gave her a hug and was recognizing her.

[Paris Bennett]

So yeah, they're all music buddies so they have a relationship. But that has nothing to do with me. I don't want. A lot of people were saying that, you know, it'd be two sided because she knew him and that it was favor because, you know, because he knew my grandma. But I just want the world to know that I waited in the line like everyone else. I went in that room by myself and I got judged by myself. I went to Hollywood week and got the same criticism as a lot of people. And now I'm in this show and I'm in here all by myself because Simon's not my grandma's favorite. You know what I mean? My grandma's not Simon's favorite, so.

[Radio Host]

Well, there is nobody that could listen to your performances over the last couple of weeks and say somehow Someway she squeaked into the finals. I mean, you are head and shoulders above some of those people that are there, so.

[Paris Bennett]

Thank you.

[Radio Host]

Nobody could say that.

[Co-host 2]

Odds makers in Vegas already putting Paris.

[Co-host 1]

Yeah, I saw where. Yeah. The odds makers have you and Ace and I still can't remember the third person. Was it. Was it. But yeah. You're one of the top three, right?

[Radio Host]

He couldn't be one of them.

[Co-host 1]

No, it was a female. It was a female.

[Radio Host]

So two females and a guy.

[Co-host 1]

Yeah.

[Radio Host]

Taylor's like the 75 year old dude that's. That people think that, right? He's like. He's the guy with all the gray hair.

[Paris Bennett]

Taylor's cool.

[Radio Host]

Oh, he's 50.

[Paris Bennett]

No, he's not.

[Co-host 1]

He's the adult escorter on the school trip.

[Co-host 2]

Honey, you look like an American idol.

[Radio Host]

He doesn't.

[Co-host 2]

Yeah, I mean, I know you're nice. He's really all nice.

[Radio Host]

You look like an American idol. He looks like your history teacher. He's like a boy scout chaperone, that guy. He's not gonna last long, you know that.

[Paris Bennett]

Hi. But he does have great soul and he has great personality, though, like off cameras. Besides what you guys see, he's a very, very, very, very sweet person. And like just down to earth.

[Co-host 1]

I'm sure he's got an old soul. I mean, that's.

[Radio Host]

I'm sure he's a nice guy, but when he performs, I feel like there should be a paramedic somewhere really, really close by because it looks to me like dude's going into a seizure. No, dude, come on. Come on. I thought the same thing.

[Co-host 2]

You mean the paddles in that blue gel?

[Prolon Advertiser]

Clear.

[Co-host 1]

Clear. Yeah.

[Radio Host]

Paris, good talking to you. Represent Georgia. All right, I will.

[Co-host 2]

We're rooting for ya.

[Paris Bennett]

Thank you, guys.

[Radio Host]

Good luck.

[Paris Bennett]

Thank you.

[Radio Host]

Bye bye.

[Paris Bennett]

Bye. Bye.

[Radio Host]

This is the Burch show.

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