"American Idol"singer Wade Cota: "My biological father was the devil"

A screenshot of 'American Idol' singer Wade Cota [Photo: China Plus]

Twenty-seven-year old 'American Idol' contestant Wade Cota has used the program to detail alleged childhood abuse.

"My real dad — or, I'm going to restart that — my biological father, he was the devil," Wade bluntly told the show's producers Sunday.

He claims his father beat him, his mother, and his two older siblings for years, leaving him with a scar on his face and a permanent crack in his skull.

He alleges his mother wasn't allowed to leave the house with all three children at once, claiming it took her two years to finally plot their escape.

A screenshot of Wade Cota's mother[Photo: China Plus]

Cota says his mother ended up raising them alone in poverty. "We don't have a lot, but we love each other so much," said Cota. He says hopes to use a singing career to repay her for her suffering and sacrifice. "I want to be remembered for something, and it might as well be making my mom proud," he said.

Wade has been described by American Idol judge Katy Perry as one of the most unique voices she'd ever heard.