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GENEVA, Ala. (WDHN) \u2014 Geneva native and high school student Kiera Howell heard the magic words after a stellar performance Monday night in her American Idol audition \u2014 punching her ticket to Hollywood.<\/p>\n
\u201cI like freaked out immediately Luke Bryan was the first to say yes and I started crying,\u201d Howell said. \u201cIt was absolutely surreal I was crying I walked out of the room still crying all happy tears though.\u201d<\/p>\n
Howell performed a powerful Christian rock song \u2018Don\u2019t Tread On Me\u2019 by We The Kingdom.<\/p>\n
She said it was a hard process to come up with that selection.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m so indecisive it took me weeks of praying maybe even a month to figure out hoping it was the right song,\u201d Howell said.<\/p>\n
She wowed judges, even comparing her to idol alum like Gabby Barret showing off her vocal range and control.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can see you singing Stevie Nicks, I like the grittiness you bring and I mean what is oxygen,?\u201d Carrie Underwood said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think you tied the record with Carrie for the longest note,\u201d Luke Bryan said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI never thought in my 16 years I would get compliments like those from them it was the best experience,\u201d Howell said.<\/p>\n
She said the American Idol experience is surreal being around so much talent. It has always been her dream.<\/p>\n
\u201cIts an experience I will never forget and I cant wait to see how it turns out,\u201d She added.<\/p>\n
She\u2019s now preparing for the the next round which will be more intense.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m just praying alot because you can never pray enough and practicing a lot to where I can sing the song in my sleep,\u201d She said. \u201cI\u2019m working on calming my nerves too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Howell is one of five Alabama residents to advance. Howell said she\u2019s thankful for the tremendous amount of support from around the state but especially the Wiregrass area.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you to everyone who has commented on my Facebook I see it I can\u2019t respond to every comment but I read them,\u201d She said. \u201c\u201dAnd those who told me in person and just supported me its a really big deal to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
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