Let’s call it Alabama Night on “American Idol.” Five singers from the state were featured on Monday’s two-hour episode, and all earned golden tickets to Hollywood week.
That’s got to be some kind of record for the ABC reality series, now in its 24th season.
Alabama has a long history on the show, it’s true, with two winners from the state, two runners-up, several top 10 contestants and many other singers who made it to various stages of the competition.
But to see five Alabama people audition on a single episode — and watch all earn kudos from the celebrity judges — is pretty darn impressive. No wonder “Sweet Home Alabama” could be heard on Monday’s soundtrack, playing in the background while some of the hopefuls were on screen.
“Alabama is in the house,” said Lionel Richie, a Tuskegee native. “My home state is showing up.”
Here are the five singers who received a thumb’s up from Richie, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan on Monday’s program:
Kiera Howell
Who: High school student, 16, from Geneva, in the southeastern part of the state. Howell has a bubbly, outspoken personality and typically sings at festivals in the Wiregrass area. She enjoys Christian rock, and chose “Don’t Tread on Me” by We the Kingdom for her “Idol” audition.
Judges’ reactions: Howell’s talent shone through, and all three judges admired her youthful energy. “I feel like there’s a lot of versatility in there,” Underwood said. “Just in your tone and you sometimes kind of have this grittiness in your voice. I can hear you singing country. I feel like I could hear you singing, like, some Stevie Nicks. I like your voice a lot.” However, Underwood encouraged Howell to pick songs that suited her personality. “Because you are so bubbly and fun and spunky, if you keep your song choices young and fun and spunky, that will do you well,” Underwood said.
What Howell said: “This is, like, so unreal. I see this on TV, and now I’m holding (a golden ticket) on TV, which is kind of the craziest thing in the world.”
Trew the Star
Who: Trevon Williams, 24, from Montgomery, also known as Trew the Star. His backstory was featured on the episode, as Trew talked about his family’s struggles with poverty and his mother’s battle with drug addiction. She died in 2022, he said. For his audition, Trew covered Sam Cooke’s “Nothing Can Change This Love.”
Judges’ reactions: Trew wowed the judges, earning applause from all three and a heartfelt hug from Richie. “I’m channeling now, all the folks in Montgomery, Tuskegee, Auburn, Union Springs,” Richie said. “They told me to give you a hug. We’re proud of you son. I love that.”
Underwood and Bryan also had praise for the soulful singer. “You have a commanding voice, but I think my favorite part was your delivery,” Underwood said. “It was completely intentional and it wasn’t trying to barrel over the song and show us all your big notes. You were just delivering a story to us and it was very believable.” Bryan then chimed in: “I had full-body chills the whole time. I thought it was just so real and genuine, and I just cheer for you.”
What Trew said: “I think (my family) is just really proud of me, and I know my mom is watching. This is hope.”
Brett Carlisle
Who: Rock singer, 28, from Birmingham. He’s also the current frontman of Great White. Carlisle sang Great White’s “House of Broken Love” during his audition, accompanied by the band’s founding guitarist, Mark Kendall, and longtime keyboard player Michael Lardie.
Judges’ reactions: Carlisle’s audition wasn’t shown in full. It was part of a video montage that included auditions by rockers Noah Orion and Isaiah Moro. However, viewers could hear Richie saying Carlisle would be “the poster child” for rock on “Idol” this season. And Carlisle was seen waving his golden ticket in celebration.
What Carlisle said: “I’m ready to bring some rock ‘n’ roll to ‘American Idol,’ yeah!”
Kayla Finch
Who: Substitute teacher, 25, from York in Sumter County. Finch covered “One Night Only” from the musical “Dreamgirls,” singing the tune as a ballad. Her audition was part of a montage that also featured Kutter Bradley, another singer from Alabama.
Judges’ reactions: Finch earned three “yes” votes and some constructive criticism from the judges. “I’ll give you a chance. I’m a yes,” Bryan said. “You need to know what you’re capable of,” Underwood said. “If you’ve got to push a little more, you gotta squeeze that tushie.”
What Finch said: “I’m going to Hollywood week! And Miss Carrie, every time I sing, I’m going to remember to squeeze that tushie and let it out. Best advice of my life.”
Kutter Bradley
Who: Southern rock singer, 22, and fire protection inspector from Florence. Bradley covered “Here Without You” by 3 Doors Down, accompanying himself on guitar. His audition was part of a montage that also featured Kayla Finch, another singer from Alabama.
Judges’ reactions: “I love your voice. I love your confidence,” Richie told Bradley. “That little growl is signature to you.” Other comments from the judges weren’t included, but Bradley earned a golden ticket to Hollywood week.
What Bradley said: “We in there like swimwear!” via an Instagram post.
And more:
Four more hopefuls from Alabama were included in the video montage on Monday’s episode, pointing to Tuscaloosa, Huntsville, Birmingham and Troy as their hometowns. It’s unclear if most of them made it to Hollywood week, but one singer, Marissa Luna of Birmingham, posted photos in her Instagram stories that show her holding a golden ticket. She also had a “Roll Tide!” moment in the montage with “Idol” host Ryan Seacrest.
Another singer from Alabama, Bryant Thomas of Mobile, earned a golden ticket to Hollywood week earlier this season. (The next phase of the competition has moved to Nashville, but the “Hollywood” label remains.) Contestants will face tough competition and deep cuts during Hollywood week, which starts on Feb. 23.