A Big Honor For Local American Idol Contestant

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (WWJ) - A big honor for American Idol contestant Malaya Watson. The city of Southfield will present her with a Joint Resolution and the key to the city today.

Watson finished in 8th place on the current season of American Idol, becoming the second youngest contestant in the show's history to reach the live show and the finals. This summer, she'll be part of the American Idol Concert Tour that will travel to 41 different cities in the U.S. and Canada.

Watson initially auditioned in Detroit in July of 2013, singing Aretha Franklin's "Ain't No Way." She received her "Golden Ticket" to go to Hollywood beating out approximately 10,000 people who also auditioned in Detroit. She is a tuba player in the Southfield High School marching band, an alumna of Detroit's Mosaic Youth Theater and the Michigan Opera Theatre Children's Chorus.

Fans can download four of the songs she performed during the Idol show through iTunes/Malaya Watson.