GENEVA, Ala. (WDHN) — Geneva native and high school student Kiera Howell heard the magic words after a stellar performance Monday night in her American Idol audition — punching her ticket to Hollywood.
“I like freaked out immediately Luke Bryan was the first to say yes and I started crying,” Howell said. “It was absolutely surreal I was crying I walked out of the room still crying all happy tears though.”
Howell performed a powerful Christian rock song ‘Don’t Tread On Me’ by We The Kingdom.
She said it was a hard process to come up with that selection.
“I’m so indecisive it took me weeks of praying maybe even a month to figure out hoping it was the right song,” Howell said.
She wowed judges, even comparing her to idol alum like Gabby Barret showing off her vocal range and control.
“I can see you singing Stevie Nicks, I like the grittiness you bring and I mean what is oxygen,?” Carrie Underwood said.
“I think you tied the record with Carrie for the longest note,” Luke Bryan said.
“I never thought in my 16 years I would get compliments like those from them it was the best experience,” Howell said.
She said the American Idol experience is surreal being around so much talent. It has always been her dream.
“Its an experience I will never forget and I cant wait to see how it turns out,” She added.
She’s now preparing for the the next round which will be more intense.
“I’m just praying alot because you can never pray enough and practicing a lot to where I can sing the song in my sleep,” She said. “I’m working on calming my nerves too.”
Howell is one of five Alabama residents to advance. Howell said she’s thankful for the tremendous amount of support from around the state but especially the Wiregrass area.
“Thank you to everyone who has commented on my Facebook I see it I can’t respond to every comment but I read them,” She said. “”And those who told me in person and just supported me its a really big deal to me.”
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