Carrie Underwood found herself unexpectedly emotional as she made her debut as a judge on the 23rd season of American Idol.
In a recent trailer promoting the auditions, the season four champion of the renowned singing competition couldn’t hold back tears when 25-year-old mother Breanna Nix performed while her son sat on the Grammy winner’s lap.
Nix’s audition was a family event, with her husband accompanying her on piano as she delivered an impressive rendition of Underwood’s classic “Jesus, Take The Wheel” in front of judges including Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie.
Right from the start, during their introductions, Carrie offered to hold her young son Emerson, who had just awoken from a nap, creating a heartwarming moment.
When asked to share a bit about herself, the aspiring Idol revealed her family, introducing her husband Austin and saying, “I’m just a stay-at-home mom,” to the panel of judges.
Underwood, now 41, quickly responded to Nix, “Never say ‘I’m just a stay-at-home.’ That’s such an important job. You have the most important job.”
Carrie Underwood, 41, got emotional and shed a tear or two during a stay-at-home mom’s audition for American Idol, as seen in a trailer promoting the upcoming premiere
During the Idol promo Breanna Nix told the judges, ‘I’m just a stay-at-home mom,’ for which Underwood responded, ‘Never say “I’m just a stay-at-home.” That’s such a major job’
The Denton, Texas native proceeded to reveal her intention to do a version of Jesus, Take The Wheel ‘by the beautiful Carrie Underwood.’
‘You ready,’ the new Idol judge asked Emerson, who was fixated on his mom while in the arms of Underwood.
After a brief piano intro by her husband, Nix went on to show off her big and beautiful vocals while singing the emotional ballad that appeared on Underwood’s debut studio album Some Hearts (2005).
And it didn’t take long before her rendition soothed her son long enough that he began to briefly fall asleep, which prompted tears from acclaimed singer-songwriter as he nodded off on her lap.
‘Luke,’ Underwood said through tears after Nix finished singing. ‘You OK over there?’ Bryan quickly responded.
‘I’m sorry. He’s just adorable and sweet and it got to me,’ the mother of two said while still emotional over the moment.
Nix then chimed in and explained how her boy has been mesmerized by the song, which was written by Brett James, Hillary Lindsey and Gordie Sampson, and that he often would become drowsy.
‘He’s been on so many car rides where he was going to go to sleep but I’d get on that chorus and he’d get on that chorus and emphasize the word ‘wheel.’
The new American Idol judge offered to hold on to Nix’s little boy Emerson, who admittedly just woke up from a nap, during his mom’s audition
The Denton, Texas native proceeded to do a version of the song Jesus, Take The Wheel ‘by the beautiful Carrie Underwood’
During the audition Underwood teared-up as Emerson began to nod off
‘Luke,’ the eight-time Grammy winner while misty-eyes after Nix finished singing. ‘You OK over there?’ Bryan quickly responded
‘I’m sorry. He’s just adorable and sweet and it got to me,’ the mother of two said while still a bit emotional over the moment
‘He’s been on so many car rides where he was going to go to sleep but I’d get on that chorus and he’d get on that chorus and emphasize the word ‘wheel,’ Nix said of her son
Jesus, Take The Wheel would ultimately become the first of Underwood’s record-setting 15 number-one singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
She had her big breakthrough in music by winning season four of Idol back in 2005, and has since gone on to become one of the best-selling music artists of all-time, having sold over 85 million records worldwide.
The Oklahoma native shares sons Isaiah, 10, and Jacob, six, with her husband of more than 14-years, Mike Fisher.
Watch the all-new two-hour premiere of American Idol on Sunday, March 9, on ABC, which will also stream the next day on Hulu.
