Kanye West Takes the Stage in Surprise 'Audition' for 'American Idol'
The rapper surprised the judges with "Gold Digger" from 2005.
— -- Kanye West took a break from his 2020 presidential “campaign" to pursue another dream, becoming the next American Idol.
West made headlines at the 2015 MTV VMAs by declaring his intent to run for president of the United States in the 2020 election, and on Sunday night, the 38-year-old rapper surprised the judges of "American Idol" by showing up to the show's San Francisco auditions to perform.
"American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest shared a photo on Instagram of Seacrest excitedly greeting West after his audition, while the rapper's wife, Kim Kardashian, cheers him on.
Kardashian, 34, who is pregnant with West's second child, shared a photo of her husband smiling during the surprise audition, also capturing the shocked and amused faces of judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr.
West performed his 2005 hit, "Gold Digger," for the panel, and impressed the judges enough to receive a "golden ticket," which secured the rapper a spot in the next round.
The official "American Idol" Instagram account posted a video of West after his audition, along with the caption, "He's going to Hollywood!"
The final season of "American Idol" will premiere in January 2016.