Carrie Underwood got choked up on American Idol.
In an early look at the show’s upcoming season, the one-time Idol winner and new show judge got teary-eyed when a contestant auditioned with “Jesus, Take the Wheel.” Carrie released the track in 2005, and it still has the ability to tug at her heartstrings.
Breanna Nix, the contestant in question, entered the audition room with her husband, Austin, and son, Emerson, by her side. Carrie quickly agreed to hold Emerson in her lap as Breanna performed for the room, and Austin accompanied her on piano.
“I’m 25 years old. I’m just a stay-at-home mom,” Breanna told judges Carrie, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan. The former judge took issue with Breanna’s phrasing, telling her, “Never say, ‘I’m just a stay-at-home mom.’ You have the most important job.”
Before getting to the song, the Texas-based singer’s intro video played. During the video, Breanna detailed her decision to lose weight and get healthy following the birth of her son.
“It led me to a journey of self-love. I’ve learned I can do the things that I really dreamed to do,” she said. “I’m doing this because I want Emerson to know that anything is possible. He’s watching his momma chase after her dreams. I just hope that one day he’ll do the same thing.”
Breanna Nix’s Impressive Carrie Underwood Cover on ‘American Idol’
With that, Breanna dove into her cover of Carrie’s song. She sang the emotional moments with the gravity they require and hit the notes in impressive fashion.
Throughout the performance, the camera panned back to Emerson sitting in Carrie’s lap. The little boy was so comfortable as his mom sang that he appeared to nod off to sleep.
The combination of the impressive performance and the cute toddler led Carrie to tear up.
“I’m sorry,” she told the room. “He’s just adorable and sweet and it got to me.”
Breanna understood, telling Carrie, “He’s had so many car rides where he was going to go to sleep, but I’d get on that chorus and he’d go, ‘Wheeeel’ in the car seat. He knows it word for word.”
After American Idol posted the video on Instagram, Breanna expressed her joy over the moment in the comments section.
“That was the scariest…. but BEST moment of my life!!!!!! I’ll never ever forget this! Don’t forget to tune in March 9th to see if I got that golden ticket!!!!” she wrote. “Thank you guys so so much. I really appreciate everyone, & I am truly so humbled for this opportunity.”