On “American Idol” Monday night (Feb. 9), high school student Kiera Howell earned a ticket to Hollywood Week with a powerful cover of the Christian rock song “Don’t Tread on Me.” Howell, a 16-year-old from Alabama, told the show’s judges that she has been pulled toward that genre lately.
Despite appearing nervous while introducing herself, the teen confidently belted out the powerful lyrics. Howell held some notes so long that judge Luke Bryan suggested she might have broken “a Carrie Underwood note-holding record somewhere.”
After Howell sang, the judges praised her “spunky” demeanor and encouraged her to keep her song choices “young and fun and spunky.”
Kiera Howell Sings ‘Don’t Tread on Me’
Kiera Howell, 16, has been singing since she was 4. She said she loves singing at festivals and then hanging around to interact with people. Howell also performs in pageants and at talent shows.
In 2024, the North America Country Music Association International named Howell its New Gospel Female Artist of the Year and the Most Promising Gospel Female Entertainer in the 13- to 16-year-old division.
Last month, while announcing her upcoming “American Idol” audition, Howell posted, “What a dream come true!!!! This is the biggest opportunity I’ve ever been given and I am so beyond excited and so grateful!!!!! I am so so thankful that God laid this opportunity in my path!!!”
Howell’s audition song, “Don’t Tread on Me” by We The Kingdom, is also her first single. The teenager released a music video for the track as well.
On “American Idol” Monday night (Feb. 9), high school student Kiera Howell earned a ticket to Hollywood Week with a powerful cover of the Christian rock song “Don’t Tread on Me.”Click to Post
The song rebukes Satan, calling him a liar and saying it’s time for him to “feel the fire.” Lines include, “Ain’t no devil gonna tread on me,” and part of Isaiah 54:17—“No weapon formed against me shall prosper.”
We The Kingdom, which released its debut single in 2019, has won three Dove Awards and received two Grammy nominations.
American Idol’ Judges Urge Teen To ‘Sing Smart’
After 16-year-old Kiera Howell auditioned on “American Idol,” judge Carrie Underwood told the singer she seems to have “a lot of versatility” thanks to her tone and grittiness. “I like your voice a lot,” Underwood said. “I mean, who needs oxygen, right?”
Next, judge Luke Bryan told the teen, “You’re very, very spunky, and you’ve got a great energy to you.” His advice: “Just sing smart.”
That led Underwood to address Howell’s song choice. “Because you are so bubbly and fun and spunky, should you go forward…,” Underwood said while winking, “if you keep your song choices young and fun and spunky, that’ll do you well.”
Howell received three “yes” votes from the judges and advanced to Hollywood Week. That portion of the show begins airing on Feb. 23, following one more week of auditions.
At her high school, Howell witnesses to her faith through an unusual medium: parking lot paint. The junior decorated her parking spot with her single title, the lyrics, “Ain’t no devil gonna tread on me,” and a reference to 1 Peter 1:6-9.
“It was a last minute decision to put the [Bible] verse at the bottom,” Howell posted, “but it is so powerful and I’m so thankful I did!!”
Source: churchleaders.com