"Idol" hopeful Chris Medina and his fiancee Juliana Ramos before an accident left her brain-damaged. (Fox)
“American Idol” contestant Chris Medina went from a singer with a dream to one of America's most talked about people overnight.
The 26-year-old barista from Illinois, whose name rocketed into the top 5 Web searches Thursday, shared his touching story on the show Wednesday night.
After judge Randy Jackson asked Medina if he was married, he replied "No, I'm engaged."
"Idol" then ran a pre-taped feature showing Medina explaining that after eight years of courting Juliana Ramos, the two were planning to marry. But just two months before the wedding, Ramos was in a car accident that left her with a serious brain injury.
"Everything changed," Medina said. "We're still not married."
The feature included home video of Medina proposing to Ramos, and her condition after the tragic accident.
"Her mother and I are her caretakers," Medina said. "I was about to make vows two months after the accident. ... What kind of guy would I be if I walked out when she needed me the most?"
Medina said his dream was to make it to Hollywood, not to have a shot at becoming the next American Idol, but to make his fiancée happy about something again.
After he performed The Script’s “Breakeven,” Medina brought Ramos on the "Idol" stage to introduce her to the judges.
The "American Idol" judges gathered around Ramos, who uses a wheelchair, and Steven Tyler embraced her, saying, "That's why he sings so good, because he sings to you."
Then they promoted Chris Medina to the Hollywood round.
Check out the video below.
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