Claudia Conway Auditions for American Idol, Show Slammed on Social Media

Television By TooFab Staff |
ABC

ABC gets criticized on social media after Kellyanne and George Conway's daughter gets a ticket to Hollywood.

Katy Perry wasn't quite sure what to think of the daughter of George and Kellyanne Conway when 16-year-old Claudia first walked in for her "American Idol" audition on Sunday's episode -- but viewers knew they didn't like what they saw.

Claudia gained fame as an influencer in large part due to her famous lineage -- and her very public, social media feuds with Donald Trump's former counselor AKA her own mother. During her audition, the teen walked in giggling and smiling and greeting the judges, only to be met with, "Are you okay?"

While Kellyanne was not able to attend -- probably because she's way too recognizable and was pretty busy around the time the audition taped -- George was by his daughter's side, lending his support just as he supports anyone opposed to Donald Trump.

"This is your time to shine," her mother told her in a video chat before Claudia's audition. It was an odd pep talk, with Kellyanne telling her she should be nervous and that "winners are people who are willing to lose."

Claudia then talked extensively about her life growing up in the spotlight and in the shadow of the Trump Administration, while also attempting to find her own voice, which she finally did via social media. She also emphasized -- after Katy asked if her mother hugged her -- that she and her mom love one another. This was filmed, of course, before the infamous incident that finally drove Claudia off of social media (where her mother posted a topless pic of her to her own Twitter).

The family has since come together, with Claudia saying she believes her mother would never do such a thing intentionally. She also said she was taking a break from social media, as TMZ reports law enforcement says an investigation is under way.

As for her actual audition, Claudia took on a lofty challenge, tackling Rihanna's "Love on the Brain" before Katy stopped her and pushed her into her second song. Even Claudia had to admit she lost her way on that one -- before tackling Adele's "When We Were Young."

Perry and Lionel Richie were on board with Conway, with Katy telling her, "Claudia, you're not going to D.C., honey, you're going straight to Hollywood" -- but those watching at home weren't exactly thrilled. Many felt the show was exploiting a teenager for viewers and called them out on it on social media.

Below are some of the most popular tweets criticizing Conway's appearance and what some saw as a way for Kellyanne to rehab her image after working for Trump.

"American Idol" airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

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