Single Stripper Mom Sparks Emotions with 'American Idol' Audition

Viewers saw an emotional moment when single mother, Fire Wilmore, auditioned, and were saddened when she did not receive a Golden Ticket.

It's not often that an episode of American Idol finishes with a no-audition. Likely, this has never been done before.

On Sunday, March 19, however, Fire Wilmore and her terrible story were the exceptions.

Katy Perry gave Fire, a single mother, a rare second opportunity, permitting her to audition for American Idol twice in one season, which is generally against the rules.

Fire's heartbreaking and emotional audition is posted below, along with information on how she got there.

Due to her mother's drug addiction, Dani Marie Wilmore, better known by her stage name Fire, was raised in Lawton, Oklahoma, under state supervision.

Her life, as Fire described it, "sucked."

Maja, Fire's daughter, was born when she was 18. Fire immediately realized that she needed to provide Maja with a better life than she had.

Fire's daughter is four years old. She said, "I never expected to be pregnant and alone at 18, but it made me so happy."

Fire's experience as a single mother has not been easy. She was 22 years old and working as a stripper in Virginia to support Maja at the time of her audition.

But Fire realized she needed to "get away from dancing," so she went to American Idol.

Maja was accompanied by Fire during her audition for American Idol Season 21 Episode 4.

Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan invited the 4-year-old to watch her mom sing Bruno Mars' song, Talking to the Moon.

Her voice had talent, but the judges could tell she hadn't received any vocal training. Katy pushed Fire to practice the falsetto passages with her full voice again. Her voice cracked when she reached the high notes.

Fire's voice was appreciated by Lionel, Katy, and Luke. They all agreed that she required further work. However, Luke and Lionel answered no, making Katy's yes moot.

When Fire burst into tears, the pop singer, Katy, assured her that she would one day find what she was seeking. At the same time, Maja approached the golden tickets and presented one to her mother, causing Fire to instruct her to put it back.

Katy made a rather unusual decision when she realized how much Fire needed to go to Hollywood. She promised the single mother that she could return to Nashville in one month to audition again after improving her voice.

According to Broadway World, competitors are normally not permitted to audition again in the same season, but exceptions exist. Katy has made a second chance offer before, most recently to Sam Moss last season.

The episode of American Idol ended with suspense, with Fire and her kid walking away to prepare for her second audition one month later. Next week's episode, on Sunday, March 26, will include that audition. If we had to guess, Fire would earn a golden ticket to Hollywood. Will her voice improve, or will it just be a sympathy ticket? Fans will have to wait and see.