Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith opens up about his daughter’s journey to American Idol

When Ava Maybee joined American Idol, she wanted to make it with her own talent.

What fans quickly learned, however, was that music ran in her blood.

Ava’s father is Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith.

While Ava wanted to get by without taking her father’s name, he’s still very proud of how she’s fared on American Idol so far.

Chad Smith comments on Ava Maybee’s American Idol journey

Chad Smith performed with his Red Hot Chili Peppers bandmates Show by Howard Stern on SiriusXM and spoke about his daughter’s appearance on American Idol.

Stern, who worked on America’s Got Talent for four seasons, is a huge American Idol fan and wanted to know more about Chad’s daughter.

He asked if Chad coached her in performing Stevie Wonder’s Lately for her audition.

Chad joked that of course he did because he was “known for my whistles.” He then said how proud he was of his daughter.

“I’m so proud of her. It’s a really good experience for them,” Chad said. “She’s a great kid, she’s having a good time.”

Chad said Ava gets up early every morning and works on her performances for the show and puts the work into it.

The Chili Peppers then recalled going to a Los Angeles Lakers game and hearing a great performance of the national anthem. They thought they recognized her, and it turned out to be Ava Maybee.

“I thought Ava would win American Idol,” Howard said. “She’s a very talented girl, she can really sing.”

When he mentioned Ava having an advantage because of her father, Chad stopped him.

“[Ava] is very good at taking care of it [her music career is] not this nepotism thing. She’s there for her whole career…she doesn’t go that route,” Chad said. “She wants to make it on her own.”

Ava Maybee in American Idol’s Top 24

Ava Maybee followed up her audition with solid performances on Hollywood Week and The next step was the top 24 in Hawaii on Sunday evening.

Then it’s time for fans to vote to keep singers on the show.

As for Howard Stern’s praise and her father’s comments, Ava took to Instagram to thank them for the interview.