Carrie Underwood made waves on the latest episode of ABC’s “American Idol” by likening a budding contestant to music sensation Taylor Swift. The show aired on Sunday and featured Underwood, a seasoned judge, and former Idol contestant herself, delivering this notable compliment during the auditions.
Underwood, who reconnected with Idol runner-up Bo Bice two decades after they both graced the competition, showered praise on young singer Zaylie Windsor. At just 18, Zaylie Windsor stood out in the auditions, having participated in the virtual Idol Across America tryouts when she was still 17.
Hailing from Safford, Arizona, Zaylie performed an original piece titled “The Used,” a song she penned at the tender age of 14. Her performance captivated the judging panel, which included Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan, despite initial reservations about her talent.
Underwood’s comparison of Zaylie to Swift, who famously released her debut album at 15, underscored the young singer’s potential. This insightful analogy resonated with many viewers, drawing admiration from fans, although not everyone was equally convinced by her performance.
The judges clearly had some doubts, though her talent ultimately shined through, with Underwood comparing her to Swift, who released her first album when she was just 15.
Many fans were quick to praise Zaylie as well, though some weren’t quite as impressed as others.
Carrie Underwood compared a young American Idol contestant to the iconic Taylor Swift on Sunday’s new episode of the ABC reality competition series
The 18-year-old took part in the virtual Idol Across America auditions when she was 17, and was told she would audition for judges Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan
The 42-year-old singer – who reunited with Idol runner up Bo Bice 20 years after they appeared on the series – offered some high praise for young singer Zaylie Windsor
Zaylie’s mother Chrissy said, ‘Zaylie’s been performing for so long, and she’s worked really hard. I’m just so happy and proud of her.’
She belted out her own tune while accompanying herself on acoustic guitar, which seemed to impress Lionel and Carrie, but not Luke so much.
After the performance, Carrie said, ‘You showed us a lot in your voice, and you can go from being small and focused to, like, soaring.’
She added, ‘And I’m impressed at the song, as well. I feel like you’ve got a lot of artistry in there.’
Zaylie added, ‘Thank you. It’s about a breakup. Not only the breakup part, but the process after, trying to kind of figure out who you are without that person.’
Luke admitted, ‘the song certainly did sound like a 14-year-old kind of level of song to me, but, yeah, gosh, I don’t think she’s quite ready.’
Zaylie then asked, ‘Could I play you one that’s higher in my verses?’ Luke added, ‘I’m just trying to see if Carrie wants to fight for you or not. It’s a no for me.’
Carrie said, ‘Why are you doing this? No, no. I mean, my thing is, there’s a Taylor Swift-esque quality that she has,’ as Luke agreed, adding, ‘One bazillion percent.’
Many fans were quick to praise Zaylie as well, though some weren’t quite as impressed as others
Zaylie’s mother Chrissy said, ‘Zaylie’s been performing for so long, and she’s worked really hard. I’m just so happy and proud of her.’
She belted out her own tune while accompanying herself on acoustic guitar, which seemed to impress Lionel and Carrie, but not Luke so much
Luke admitted, ‘the song certainly did sound like a 14-year-old kind of level of song to me, but, yeah, gosh, I don’t think she’s quite ready.’
‘But it’s like, she doesn’t have these, like, just giant vibrato, like, belt-y voice. But there’s something in there,’ Carrie said.
Underwood added, ‘If she did that at 14, like, she must have a lot of other things in her arsenal that she could bring to the table.’
When Lionel asked what her vote would be, Carrie said, ‘I would roll the dice because we do have those people that are, like, coming in here, like, guns blazing with attitude, like, owning the stage, sucking us in. But I feel like there’s something about her,’ before confirming her vote was a yes.
Richie added, ‘You’ve won me over and confirmed me,’ adding his yes to Carrie’s, sending young Zaylie to Hollywood.
Carrie was so overwhelmed that she forgot Luke voted no, though he did admit that he agreed with everything she said.
After getting the life-changing news, Zaylie said, ‘Carrie is incredible, so it’s an honor to have her fight for me like that. It was so awesome.’
Host Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) tweeted, ‘Zaylie’s already winning after being compared to @taylorswift13 #americanidol.
Linda (@kindopp_linda) said, ‘Sure love all the judges and Ryan wonderful seeing young Canadians on their way to Hollywood and Zaylie reminded me of Taylor Swift American Idol thank you supporting dreams coming true. I sure love this beautiful TV show.
‘But it’s like, she doesn’t have these, like, just giant vibrato, like, belt-y voice. But there’s something in there,’ Carrie said.
Underwood added, ‘If she did that at 14, like, she must have a lot of other things in her arsenal that she could bring to the table.’
Another user dubbed @superbatson said, ‘zaylie has potential but i think she needs some vocal coaching #americanidol.’
Duke Loves Rasslin (@DLovesRasslin) admitted, ‘This Zaylie kid.. It’s not for me!’
Wyatt (@Wyatt_fann) said, ‘Even from a small audition clip I can tell Zaylie will go FAR #americanidol
Nicholas Sye (@NicholasSye1) said, ‘This is an amazing performance by zaylie windsor #AmericanIdol.’
Sunday’s episode – the final audition episode of the season – featured the third and last Platinum Ticket winner as well, following Kolbi Jordan and Filo.
The final Platinum Ticket winner was 17-year-old Canaan James Hill from Dallas, who was inspired to follow music by his grandfather and sang I Need Your Glory by Earnest Pugh.
His performance blew away the judges, with Lionel Richie walking up to him right after the performance, saying, ‘That was powerful. You have been so blessed.’
‘That was something so spectacular I can’t even just describe what I heard,’ with Carrie saying he was, ‘smooth but powerful,’ as Luke said he’s, ‘never seen anything like it.’
Host Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) tweeted, ‘Zaylie’s already winning after being compared to @taylorswift13 #americanidol.
Linda (@kindopp_linda) said, ‘Sure love all the judges and Ryan wonderful seeing young Canadians on their way to Hollywood and Zaylie reminded me of Taylor Swift American Idol thank you supporting dreams coming true. I sure love this beautiful TV show.
Another user dubbed @superbatson said, ‘zaylie has potential but i think she needs some vocal coaching #americanidol.’
Wyatt (@Wyatt_fann) said, ‘Even from a small audition clip I can tell Zaylie will go FAR #americanidol
The final Platinum Ticket winner was 17-year-old Canaan James Hill from Dallas, who was inspired to follow music by his grandfather and sang I Need Your Glory by Earnest Pugh
His performance blew away the judges, with Lionel Richie walking up to him right after the performance, saying, ‘That was powerful. You have been so blessed.’
‘That was something so spectacular I can’t even just describe what I heard,’ with Carrie saying he was, ‘smooth but powerful,’ as Luke said he’s, ‘never seen anything like it’
Lionel ran over to grab the Platinum Ticket, though he couldn’t take it off the wall, with Luke grabbing it.
‘This is a Platinum Ticket. It means you can go all the way to heaven,’ Richie said, adding, ‘you can bypass the first round of Hollywood, and you can sit back and watch all the people you’re gonna slay.’
Carrie added, ‘there are only three of these that go out,’ as all the judges showed off the Platinum Ticket to his family.
Richie told his fellow judges that Canaan, ‘was possessed,’ adding, ‘you have never seen me act like that before.’
Canaan added of his Platinum Ticket opportunity, ‘I am so ready to spread the gospel, and that I’m gonna do.’
A slew of other singers made it through to Hollywood in the final auditions, including JMarie, who sang a soulful rendition of Carrie’s Before He Cheats, which she called a, ‘hood anthem.’
16-year-old Kaleo Knight also earned a Golden Ticket by singing I’m Telling You I’m Not Going from Dreamgirls.
Another singer dubbed Landynn Kennedy moved ahead with a soulful spin on I Can’t Make You Love Me by Bonnie Raitt.
Lionel ran over to grab the Platinum Ticket, though he couldn’t take it off the wall, with Luke grabbing it, as Lionel explained he could now bypass the first round of Hollywood Week.
Canaan added of his Platinum Ticket opportunity, ‘I am so ready to spread the gospel, and that I’m gonna do’
Gabe James earned comparisons to Patrick Swayze before moving forward alongside Lexi Tiefell, Ethan Senger, Anna Aistova and Trenton Wright.
Teen performers Nikki Rodrigues and Caroline Brett also moved forward, along with Olivier, Cal Buckley, Sarah Day and Will Carter, the latter of whom sang an original.
Yani, Clara Rae, Derek Reed, Santina Madden, Malik Bilbrew, Kyana Fanene, Lillian Vandaam and Samantha Ray also rounded out the final contestants moving forward.
American Idol returns Monday night with the first round of Hollywood Week, with the competitors being pitted against each other.
