Kiera Howell, a 16-year-old high school student from Geneva, Alabama, drew comparisons to American Idol Season 16 Top 3 finalist Gabby Barrett with an impressive cover of a We The Kingdom song. The Christian rock singer appeared nervous while introducing herself to the judges, but those nerves disappeared once she began her audition.
“I sing at festivals a lot. So, those are my favorites. I like getting to interact with people after I finish. I’m super social. I’m a talker… I’ve been kind of pulled towards Christian rock a little more. That’s actually what I’m singing today.”
“Get on outta here, get on up and leave/ Ain’t no devil gonna tread on me/ He’s choking on the blood that ran down the tree/ Ain’t no devil gonna tread on me,” Howell sang on the chorus, showcasing her unique, gritty vocals.
The Idol judges applauded her talent at the conclusion of her audition, with Carrie Underwood being the first to “tackle” the contestant.
“I feel like there’s a lot of versatility in there. Just in your tone, and you sometimes kind of have this grittiness in your voice. I could hear you singing country. I feel like I could hear you singing like some Stevie Nicks. I like your voice a lot. And I mean, who needs oxygen, right?” Underwood joke, referencing Howell’s raspy voice.
Luke Bryan pitted the contestant against his fellow judge, Underwood, saying that he thought she may have broken “a Carrie Underwood note-holding record somewhere.” Bryan continued, “We’ll have to time it one day, but listen, you’re very, very spunky, and you’ve got a great energy to you. But just sing smart. Make sure you sing smart.”
Underwood questioned Howell’s song choice. “I think that’s song choice too. Because you are so bubbly and fun and spunky, should you go forward?” Underwood said with a wink. “If you keep your song choices… young and fun and spunky, that’ll do you well.
Lionel Richie added, “Idol University is looking for that kind of energy to be on the cheering squad. Don’t you think? I think so.”
Ultimately, Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan voted “yes,” advancing the contestant to Hollywood Week, which will take place in Music City this year.
After the contestant exited the audition room, Underwood compared her to Idol finalist and country superstar Gabby Barrett. “She’s got a little Gabby Barrett kind of quality in there too,” Underwood said of Howell.
Howell, in a state of shock, told Idol producers, “This is like so unreal. 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 absolute perfection, and I’m going to Hollywood week.”
New episodes of American Idol air every Monday night at 8/7c on ABC and are available to stream the next day on Hulu.