“Nobody was breathing when you were singing then just kind of hanging on every word with you. So well done,” Underwood gushed of Bella Emry.
Bella Emry; Photo Courtesy of American Idol via ABC
Bella Emry, a Bend, Oregon native, traded long shifts in the service industry for a shot at her dream when she stepped into the American Idol audition room and wowed the Idol judges with a confident cover of a Morgan Wallen song.
The 22-year-old aspiring singer doesn’t often get the chance to perform, as there aren’t many opportunities where she’s from. She frequently works long hours in the service industry, including as a restaurant server and an office administrator at her parents’ concrete restoration business. While she’s grateful to have a job, she dreams of becoming a full-time singer and musician.
“Bend is beautiful, lots of trees, lots of nature. We don’t have as many big places to perform, but that is the goal,” Emry explained. “Rather than working, which I work all the time… The service industry is not my dream, but I feel proud of where I work. I also work for my parents. They own a concrete restoration business. No shade to my parents, but I’d much rather be singing and I would love to make it my life.”
Ahead of her Idol audition, the Oregon native admitted that she is a big fan of American Idol and she is thrilled for the opportunity to be part of the show. “I’ve been watching Idol since I was a little kid,” Emry continued. “Now I’m doing it. I am the most nervous I think I have ever been in my whole life. Singing is second nature to me, but I do not perform for people. So this could be life changing.”
Donning an off the shoulder sweater, blue jeans and a silky floral bandana, Bella Emry went on to deliver an impressive performance of “I’m A Little Crazy” by Morgan Wallen. Strumming her acoustic guitar, Emry effortlessly belted out the lyrics to the Wallen track, allowing her unique vocals to shine.
“Oh, once you get to know me/ I’m a coyote in a field of wolves/ Oh, I’m a red-letter rebel/ But some become the devil when the moon is full/ Yeah, the only thing keeping these tracks on the train/ Knowin’ I’m a little crazy, but the world’s insane,” Emry sang on the track’s chorus.
Bella Emry earned a applause from all three Idol judges, Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan, with her mesmorizing performance.
Underwood was shocked that Emry doesn’t perform often as she seemed very sure of herself while performing.
“That was great. I am surprised to hear you say that you don’t perform,” Underwood admitted, to which the Idol hopeful replied, “I actually don’t really do anything. Like this. My heart’s beating really fast.” Underwood then complimented her confidence despite not being a performer. “You seemed very comfortable just telling a story. Nobody was breathing when you were singing then just kind of hanging on every word with you. So well done.”
Luke Bryan praised the contestant’s ability to capture the attention of viewers with her unique vocals.
“You’re so raw and unpolished. I wasn’t expecting you to be able to really hold our attention like that,” Bryan admitted. “I mean, you didn’t hit a bad note. You held the guitar together really, really well and you delivered that song in your own way.”
Lionel Richie then gushed over Emry’s overall vibe and applauded her talents.
“When you walked out, Bella, the first thing I said was very cool vibe. And when you finished singing Bella, I said, very cool. Idol Universe has been waiting on you,” Richie added. “You are scholarship material, my dear. And all I can say is if you’re going to hold that one time around to see some more, it’s a yes for me this way.”
Underwood chimed in, “I too would like to hear more of Bella,” while Bryan added, “Bella. It’s a hella yella. Welcome to Hollywood Week.”