Dallas native throws it back on ‘American Idol’ with pop-punk hit. ‘Stage presence 101’

An “American Idol” contestant from Dallas, Texas, gave what judges called his best performance of the season Monday, April 18.

Performing from Kapolei, Hawaii, with the other top 26 contestants, Malik Heard commanded the stage as he sang Paramore’s “Ain’t It Fun.”

He ended the performance on his knees on the stage’s catwalk, with judges later giving the Dallas singer rave reviews.

“You’re coming in a little like a dark horse here,” said Katy Perry, giving a nod to one of her most famous songs. “I think you’re a natural star on that stage. You worked the audience. You ended the song on your knees. You were in it to win it.”

Perry also hinted that Heard “could” be the next “American Idol.”

Fellow judge Luke Bryan called it Heard’s “best performance we’ve seen” him do.

“The stage presence, the energy... you lit the whole island up,” he said.

Those comments were echoed by judge Lionel Richie, who said Heard’s performance was “stage presence 101.”

“For a moment I had to catch myself. I was thinking, ‘I’m such a big fan of this guy. I love all of his records,’” Richie said. “Then I realized, you don’t have any records yet. That’s how confident you were on that stage singing.”

Heard will find out if he has made the show’s top 20 on Sunday, April 23.

A former contestant on “The Voice,” Heard advanced to the top 26 last week after his performance of Tevin Campbell’s “Can We Talk.”