5 Alabama singers get their Golden Tickets on American Idol
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Mobile native Bryant Thomas got the ball rolling for our state in the first episode of American Idol’s latest season. And that was just a sign of things to come.
In the third episode of Season 24 auditions, five Alabama singers took the stage in front of the panel of judges and all five left the room with the iconic golden ticket. The list includes:
- Brett Carlisle, Birmingham
- Kayla Finch, York
- Kiera Howell, Geneva
- Kutter Bradley, Florence
- Trew the Star, Montgomery
Keep reading to learn more about each artist + watch each of their auditions that got them through to the next round.
Brett Carlisle
Carlisle is the latest lead singer for a classic rock band known as Great White, who he got to perform next to during his audition.
“I’m ready to bring some rock ‘n’ roll to American Idol”
Brett Carlisle
The 28-year-old went to Oak Grove High School and graduated from UAB, according to this social media page. Carlisle sang House of Broken Love and quickly grabbed the judges’ attention.
“If you happen to go through, bring it. Especially when you rock, you’re going to be the poster child for this.”
Lionel Ritchie
Kayla Finch
Finch, a 25-year-old substitute teacher, sang a unique version of One Night Only from the musical “Dreamgirls.” Her audition was part of an Alabama artist montage on the show.
The Sumter County native got some advice from the judges before getting enough yes votes to move on to the next round.
“You need to know what you’re capable of. If you’ve got to push a little more, you gotta squeeze that tushie.”
Carrie Underwood
Kierra Howell
The youngest Alabamian to receive a golden ticket so far this season is Kierra Howell, a 16-year-old high school student from Geneva.
She sang a song by Christian rock band We The Kingdom, stunning all three judges but it was former American Idol Carrie Underwood who had the most to say.
“I feel like there’s a lot of versatility in there. Seeing your tone, and you sometimes have this grittiness in your voice. I can hear you singing country, I feel like I could hear you singing Stevie Nicks. I like your voice a lot. I mean who needs oxygen right?”
Carrie Underwood
Luke Bryan followed that up by saying Howell has a great energy to her, advising her to be smart with her song choices moving forward.
All three judges gave the teen a yes vote before handing her a golden ticket.
Kutter Bradley
If Alabama is making noise in the music world, you just know the Shoals had to be involved in some way.
Kutter Bradley, a 22-year-old from Florence, got in front of the judges with a guitar and sang Here Without You by 3 Doors Down. His performance was also part of the Alabama artist montage with Finch.
Bradley said the judge he was most looking forward to meeting was fellow Alabama native Lionel Ritchie, who would end up being one of the yes votes to send the singer to the next round.
“I love your voice. I love your confidence. That little growl is signature to you.”
Lionel Richie
Trew the Star
The 24-year-old from Montgomery said his first memory of loving music was watching American Idol with his mom when he was a kid.
Before his audition, American Idol shared an interview with Trew who told an emotional story about his mother, who died in 2022, and his family’s connection to music.
“This is a very special moment not only for me but for my family. For me, it’s more than auditioning. It’s about my family, showing them you can do anything you put your mind to.”
He sang Nothing Can Change This Love by Sam Cooke, leaving speechless judges with smiles on their faces throughout the performance. And once he finished, all three judges gave a standing ovation + Lionel Ritchie stepped forward to give Trew a hug.
“You have a commanding voice but I think my favorite part is your delivery. It was completely intentional. It wasn’t trying to barrel over the song and show us all your big notes. You were just delivering a story to us.”
Carrie Underwood
The judges brought in his family just before all three gave him a yes to send Trew the Star into the next round.
It was the first time in three days that I’ve had full-body chills the whole time.
Luke Bryan
CARRIE UNDERWOOD, TREW THE STAR
What comes next?
There will be one more episode featuring auditions before American Idol begins Hollywood week. Here’s the remaining schedule for this season of American Idol, which airs each Monday night on ABC:
- Hollywood Week in Music City | Feb. 23 + March 2
- Ohana Round | March 9
- Top 20 | March 16 + 23
The final rounds are still to be announced.
KIERA HOWELL
BRETT CARLISLE
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