“You sometimes kind of have this grittiness in your voice…I could hear you singing country,” Underwood told the contestant.
At just 16 years old, Kiera Howell is already making a big impression on American Idol with her bubbly personality and powerhouse vocals. She auditioned for the singing competition show during tonight’s episode, performing “Don’t Tread On Me” by We The Kingdom.
Hailing from Geneva, Alabama, Howell has spent years singing at festivals, where she loves connecting with audiences and sharing her love of music. Now, she wanted to share her talents on a much bigger scale.
When Idol judge Carrie Underwood asked what kind of music she enjoys listening to and what genre she prefers to perform, the young singer revealed she’s mostly drawn to Christian rock. She brought that passion to her audition with a heartfelt rendition of We The Kingdom’s track which arrived in 2020 as the third single from their debut studio album, Holy Water.
Wearing a denim dress that featured rhinestone embellishments, Kiera Howell commanded the room as soon as she began singing. Her voice clearly had the judges completely tuned in as she effortlessly navigated the difficult runs throughout the tune. The lyrics radiated throughout her vocals so powerfully it was as if she were sharing her own personal story through the faith-driven narrative.
Between her raw talent and commanding presence, Howell proved she’s a performer well beyond her years and it didn’t take long for the judges to notice.
When it was time for Richie, Underwood and Bryan to share their thoughts, they didn’t hold back on the praise.
The “I’m Gonna Love You” singer first commented Howell on the “versatility” of her vocals and pointed out that she could easily fit into a variety of genres along with Christian Rock.
“You sometimes kind of have this grittiness in your voice…I could hear you singing country,” Underwood stated. “I feel like I could hear you singing like some Stevie Nicks. I like your voice a lot.”
She later added that she hears a bit of former Idol alum Gabby Barrett in Howell’s sound.
Bryan joked that the hopeful contestant might have broken ‘a Carrie Underwood note-holding record’ after hearing how long she could sustain a note. Underwood added, “We might have to test it out someday.”
When it came time to give more serious feedback, Bryan told Howell she is “very, very spunky” and has a “great energy,” but at the same time he encouraged her to “sing smart.”
Underwood offered up some follow-up advice, “Because you are so bubbly and fun and spunky,” should you go forward, if you keep your song choices young and fun and spunky, that’ll do you well.”
Richie closed out the audition by telling her, “Idol University is looking for that kind of energy to be on the cheering squad. Don’t you think? I think so.”
With that, she received a strong “yes” from all three judges.
“This is so unreal,” Howell said reflecting on the memorable moment. “I see this on TV and now I’m holding it on TV which is kind of the craziest thing in the world…this day was absolutely perfection and I’m going to Hollywood week.”
Fans can catch miss more inspiring auditions like Kiera Howell’s on American Idol, with new episodes of Season 24 airing Monday nights at 8/7c on ABC and streams the next day on Hulu.