Does this Texas Roadhouse server have what it takes to be the next American Idol?
Livy Spino; Photo by Disney/Eric McCandless
Livy Spino didn’t just bring her talented voice to her American Idol audition, she also brought her lively personality, her big dreams, and a taste of Texas Roadhouse along with her.
Hailing from a small town in West Virginia, the 22-year-old currently works as a server at the restaurant chain, but she’s hoping this opportunity will allow her to lend her voice to more than just customer birthday sing-alongs.
She explained that she has become known for being a stand-out performer during the restaurant’s famous “Texas-sized Yee Haw” celebrations, a moment that eventually landed her on TikTok and introduced her voice to a whole new level of praise from the online community.
Spino approached the judges in a very memorable way, with Texas Roadhouse peanuts and famous rolls in hand. Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood happily took advantage of the bites and showed they were eager to hear the aspiring artist sing for them.
“Today for the judges. I’m bringing the energy, I’m bringing the rolls and I’m bringing my personality for ‘em,” she shared.
The song Spino choose to sing for the panel of judges was one of Underwood’s own, “Love Wins.” Accompanied by the piano, she poured everything into the performance, letting her vocals soar as she brought the song’s powerful story to life and leaned into the message that love can win, even in the darkest moments.
As soon as she finished her final note, Bryan expressed a bit of hesitation. He turned to Underwood and asked, “is she pushing too hard?”
The country music superstar responded, “Might be a little bit. You have such a big instrument, and I feel like sometimes if you start off out of the gate going a hundred miles an hour, there’s nowhere left to go.”
With this feedback, the judges gave Spino the opportunity to redeem herself. Bryan suggested that the pianist slow down the chorus, letting her deliver the song in a more relaxed, controlled way. When she sang it again and focused on her vocals rather than belting at full force, it was clear she had won over the judges.
“That was so much more emotional. That was really nice,” Underwood shared. “I’m excited to see what you do next and show us all the sides, your softer side, your powerful side. Yes, for me.”
Luke Bryan added, “You’re a good enough singer to not have to push so hard. Really focus on capturing the emotion like you did on that second go around. I’m a yes.”
With one final vote hanging in the air, Lionel Richie gave his thoughts. After joking he was still full from the meal served to them, he got serious as he said, “It is an absolute yes for me…And let me tell you something, and I mean this from the heart, you’re a sweetheart and if you just calm down and put that voice out there, you’ve got something magical.”
To celebrate earning a golden ticket, Spino’s family joined her in the audition room. She later noted how she “worked my butt off” for this and is eager to follow in the footsteps of Idol alums turned country stars like Underwood and Gabby Barrett.
“Now it’s my turn…I’m ready to show the world what I can do and let’s win this baby. Let’s do it,” she said before offering one more Texas-sized Yee-haw.
Livy Spino’s Idol journey is just beginning, and fans will get to follow every step to see if she is able to turn her small-town dreams into something much bigger.