'American Idol' 's Wade Cota Says He's 'Trying to Do Well' in Hopes of Building a 'Better Life'

While Wade Cota has his mind set on being the nextAmerican Idol, his end goal is far more personal.

During an intimateAmerican Idollistening session on Monday, the Arizona native opened up about his troubled past and how he plans to overcome adversity.

“I’m really just trying to do well in this competition so that I can build a better life for everybody, because everybody’s been through so much,” Cota, 27, said about his family. “I’m doing it for them.”

Despite a difficult past, including a family history of drug use, alleged sexual abuse, domestic violence and incarceration, Cota remains hopeful about the future.

Wade Cota in 2019.Eric McCandless/ABC

The musician captured the hearts ofIdolfans (and the judges!) from the very beginning.

“You have your own thing likeJohnny Cashdoes,”Luke Bryantold Cota during his first audition. “I hear your voice in movie soundtracks. I want there to be aNo Country For Old Men 2and you sing every song.”

“You’re really, really special,”Katy Perryadded. “You’ve got one of the most unique voices I’ve overheard in my life.”

American Idolairs Sundays and Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

source: people.com