, she turned to Carrie Underwood for a little help—asking if her son, Emerson, could sit with the Idol winner during her audition. Without hesitation, Carrie scooped the little boy into her arms and watched as the contestant delivered a heartfelt rendition of Jesus, Take the Wheel. By the time she finished, Carrie was in tears, deeply moved by the emotional performance.
American Idol celebrates its 700th episode when it premieres its new season on Sunday night with original host Ryan Seacrest and judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan.
As a new coach this season, Carrie isn’t used to watching the hopefuls perform her songs. but 25-year-old Breanna Nix from Denton, Texas has selected Carrie’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel” for her audition.
When Breanna explains she’s “just a stay-at-home mom,” Carrie gently chides her, “Never say you’re just a stay-at-home mom. You have the most important job and I’m sure he loves it.”
Then, in her video package, Breanna talks about a major life change that she made as a result of becoming a mother.
Ryan Seacrest, Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan
Disney/Eric McCandless
“Emerson was a blessing I didn’t know I needed,” she says. “I was overweight my whole life, always the bigger girl. Right after I had my son, I was 315 pounds. I remember being in the delivery room and looking down at him knowing that if I was going to be the best mom I could, this lifestyle was not going to work. I decided to lose weight, and it led me to a journey of self-love. I am doing this [audition] because I want Emerson to know that anything is possible. He is watching his mama go after her dreams. I hope one day he’ll do the same.”
When Breanna finished singing her beautiful version of Carrie’s song, Carrie was in tears. But that’s where the video ends, which means to find out if Breanna gets a Golden Ticket to Hollywood, you’ll have to tune in to American Idol on Sunday night at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. Streams next day on Hulu.
