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Carrie Underwood emotionally applauded an American Idol hopeful’s audition that hit close to home.
Breanna Nix, 25, delivered a stunning rendition of one of the earliest — and most iconic — singles of Underwood’s career. Nix stepped into the audition room with her husband, Austin, and her young son, Emerson, who woke up from a nap in time for the audition. He sat with Underwood while his mom performed “Jesus, Take the Wheel.”
Nix, a stay-at-home mom from Denton, Texas, shared that motherhood is “the most amazing” part of her life, and prompted a health transformation and “journey of self love.” Nix said she opted to audition for American Idol to set an example for Emerson that “anything is possible,” and to chase after dreams.
Underwood held Emerson as Nix, accompanied by her husband seated at the piano, performed “Jesus, Take the Wheel.” The iconic ballad was one of the hit singles to appear on Underwood’s debut album, Some Hearts, in 2005, after longtime host Ryan Seacrest crowned the Oklahoma-born country singer the American Idol champ. Underwood’s 14-track debut album also included “Wasted,” “Some Hearts,” “Before He Cheats,” and “Inside Your Heaven,” her first single that she performed when she won Idol’s fourth season. Underwood and her fellow judges, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, listened closely as Nix performed “Jesus, Take the Wheel.” Emerson started nodding off to sleep as his mother sang, and Underwood teared up as the song ended.
Underwood is joining American Idol as a judge for the first time 20 years after her victory on the show. She’s taking a look back at her experience as a contestant in a digital series, Idol To Icon, on YouTube and Instagram. Underwood recently watched her audition — performing Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me” for then-judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell — and shared what she remembered about that day.
The new season of American Idol is set for a two-hour season premiere on Sunday (March 9). The show airs on ABC and is available the following day on Hulu. Watch Nix audition with one of Underwood’s most beloved ballads here: