Lionel Richie reflects on father's coma after emotional 'Idol' audition

On the Feb. 16 episode of American Idol, contestant Chris Tungseth performed an original song inspired by family illness and received positive feedback from judges. Lionel Richie responded by sharing a memory of his father being in and out of a coma and later dying in 1990, and Chris advanced to Hollywood Week.

A contestant's original song and personal story moved the judges on the Feb. 16 episode of American Idol. Chris Tungseth, 27, auditioned for Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan with a song called Lonely Road. He said the song was inspired by his father's death from leukemia and by his mother's long illness. Lionel Richie responded by sharing a memory about his own father's time in and out of a coma and his later death. Key details: - Chris Tungseth performed an original song titled Lonely Road and described family illness as the inspiration. - The judges for the audition were Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan. - Richie spoke about talking with his father while he was in and out of a coma and noted his father's death in 1990 at age 75. - The judges praised the performance and Chris received three yeses, advancing to Hollywood Week. Summary: The audition prompted personal reflection from the judges and led to positive feedback for the contestant. Chris Tungseth will appear in Hollywood Week, which begins airing Monday, Feb. 23.