‘American Idol’ Contestant Nutsa Buzaladze Tearfully Apologizes to Katy Perry for Duet Round Incident, Gets Encouraging Response

Nutsa Buzaladze, one of the contestants in the Top 26 on American Idol this season, tearfully apologized to judge Katy Perry in the moments leading up to her final judgment.

After her performance in the Showstopper Round, Nutsa went into the judges room to find out if she had made it to the next round.

Before the judges could tell her her fate, Nutsa tearfully apologized for what happened during the duet round in Hollywood Week. If you didn’t see, she had some issues with her duet partner and was absent during the rehearsal process. Katy told her she needs to have more “grace” in the future.

So, what did Nutsa say to Katy?

“I wanted to tell my side of the story and I felt so bad I was frozen. I didn’t want to bring negative energy so that’s why I didn’t say nothing,” she said. “I didn’t speak up because I didn’t want to cry on stage. But after I left the stage I was just destroyed. So I wanted to apologize for that.”

Katy replied, “That’s so wonderful, and Nutsa, what I meant about grace is that it’s OK to be determined and ambitious and edgy and strong but also with grace. I really relate to you because I know what it means to be a strong woman, to want to be strong and to never break and to never feel like anything can ever get to me, but that’s not real. I think that they’re seeing that you’re a real person with a big heart and a big talent.”

Watch her performance below and check out all of the contestants in the Top 26.