Underwood may be best known as a country music superstar, but that doesn’t mean her musical tastes stop there. While she’s busy judging on Idol, the powerhouse vocalist and 2005 Idol winner has made it clear she’s keeping her eyes and ears open for artists who lean toward rock.
During Monday night’s episode, which aired on Feb. 8, she found exactly that. The latest broadcast of the long-running reality competition series saw Underwood and fellow judges Richie and Bryan coming across not one, but three rock-driven acts with the potential to go far in Season 24. Those hopefuls were Noah Orion, 24, of Spokane, Washington; Isaiah Moro, 20, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; and Brett Carlisle, 28, of Birmingham, Alabama.
The first of the three to make a show-stopping impression was Noah Orion, who surprised the judges by performing outside of Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., on top of a yellow school bus alongside his band. Rather than opting for a stripped-down acoustic moment, he went all in, belting out a high-energy rendition of “Ace of Spades” by Motörhead.
The unconventional setup immediately hooked the judges, setting the tone for a true rock ‘n’ roll audition. Standing confidently atop the bus, Orion leaned into his rebellious spirit.
“Judges, in front of you is the greatest rock ‘n’ roll audition you have seen in American Idol history,” Orion declared. “I know you like rock ‘n’ roll, Ms. Carrie.”
Orion’s confidence paid off, especially with Underwood, who enthusiastically sang along to the Motörhead lyrics while Richie and Bryan looked on, seemingly less familiar with the song. The moment underscored Underwood’s appreciation for rock influences and her excitement at seeing the genre represented on the Idol show.
Offering a different take on rock was Isaiah Moro, whose style leaned more toward melodic, alternative rock than heavy metal. Auditioning with “Hemorrhage (In My Hands)” by Fuel, he skipped flashy theatrics and instead stood casually in front of the judges, letting his voice do all the work. Moro’s performance showcased a smooth, emotional delivery paired with a gritty rock edge, balancing vulnerability with control.
“I think you’re great,” Bryan told Moro, before turning to Underwood and adding, “I think even if we can get you channeling more like a rocker, she’ll be even more ecstatic.”
The final rock act of the night was Carlisle, who brought with him an impressive résumé. Currently the frontman for the legendary rock band Great White, formed in the 1970s, he performed the group’s song, “House of Broken Love.” His seasoned stage presence and polished vocals reflected years of experience, earning praise and noteworthy advice from the judges.
“If you happen to go through, bring it,” Richie said. “Especially when you rock. I mean, you’re going to be the poster child for this.”
Underwood also emphasized the value of variety in the competition. “I love the idea of having some of those more entertaining people in the mix,” she said. “You kind of have to give some people a shot.”
“What a lot of you are going to find out,” Bryan added, “is you’re either going to rock or you’re going to roll.”