It takes talent and courage to cover a song made famous by one of the “American Idol” judges, but two hopefuls on the ABC reality series were up to the task this season.

Olivia Soli, 21, from Los Angeles, performed a torch-song version of Lionel Richie’s “Hello” on the March 5 episode, entrancing the Alabama-born star and his fellow judges, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan. Soli’s rendition inspired Richie to leap from his seat with enthusiasm, even before she finished the tune, singing and playing the piano.

Richie, 73, offered high praise, saying that Soli took his 1984 and transformed it into something new and distinctive. (Watch her performance in the video below.)

“I want to be the first in your long career to rush the artist,” Richie said. “I was praying. When people say I’m going to sing your song — a Katy song, a Luke song — please don’t sing it like us. Own it. Take it and turn it into your song. You did it to perfection. I know now who you are as an artist. And yes, it’s my song. Yes, I wrote it. Yes, I sang it. But it’s your song. Best so far in this audition. Congratulations.”

Bryan and Perry gave major kudos to Soli, as well. “I thought it was tremendous,” Bryan said. “It was a really strong audition, once of the best I’ve seen. Awesome.”

“You put Lionel Richie out of a job, girl,” Perry said. “You came for his coin. You really reinterpreted it. You put your own spin on it. You have a tremendous voice, so many incredible runs, so much soul. You seem like you’re ready, you’re worth a shot, you can take some notes. We’re probably going to push you harder than others because we know that there’s a diamond in there. Actually, I’m sorry — we know that there’s a ruby in there.” (Perry, smiling, was making a reference to Soli’s red hair.)

After that, all three judges sealed the deal, confirming that Soli was going to Hollywood for the next round of the competition. But she wasn’t the only singer to cover one of Richie’s signature songs on the episode, and earn a coveted golden ticket.

Bre Podgorski, 27, also from Los Angeles, performed a duet with Richie on his 1983 hit, “All Night Long (All Night).” Podgorski works as a “dueling piano player,” so she appeared quite comfortable in this format. Podgorski (known simply as “Bre” on the show) also made it to Hollywood, but her actual audition wasn’t shown on Monday’s program. Instead, “Idol” showcased her duet with Richie, as the the two played keyboard and piano in tandem.

The other two judges appeared to have great fun during the segment, chiming in with lyrics and humor. Bryan sang a few bars of “All Night Long,” and Perry bustled over with a wine glass that served as a tip cup, evoking a time-honored tradition at piano bars.

Soli and Podgorski will move on to Hollywood week on “Idol,” a typically grueling part of the competition that moves quickly, offers several challenges and features brutal cuts.

“American Idol,” now in its 21st season, has aired three rounds of auditions this season and will continue to showcase its new crop of singers over the next few episodes. The reality series airs on Sundays at 7 p.m. CT on ABC; early episodes are filmed in advance. (One change this week: An hourlong special on the auditions is scheduled for March 12 after the Academy Awards broadcast.)

Thus far, we haven’t seen any Alabama hopefuls during the auditions for Season 21. Four singers from Alabama were among the contestants last year, and one of them, Kezia “Lady K” Istonia of Tuskegee, made it to the Top 10.

Tristen Gressett of Pell City and Cadence Baker of the Shoals went as far as the Top 11 and Top 20, respectively. Tyler Allen of Mobile reached the Top 59, but was cut during Hollywood week during a round called “Showstopper/Final Judgment.”

Alabama has a significant history on “American Idol” that includes wins by Ruben Studdard and Taylor Hicks in 2003 and 2006. The state also has produced two runners-up, Diana DeGarmo (2004) and Bo Bice (2005). More than 20 other contestants from Alabama have been featured during the auditions, Hollywood week and live performances.

READ MORE: 30 singers from Alabama who captured our imagination on ‘American Idol’