‘American Idol’ Judges Urge Teen To ‘Sing Smart’
After 16-year-old Kiera Howell auditioned on “American Idol,” judge Carrie Underwood told the singer she seems to have “a lot of versatility” thanks to her tone and grittiness. “I like your voice a lot,” Underwood said. “I mean, who needs oxygen, right?”
Next, judge Luke Bryan told the teen, “You’re very, very spunky, and you’ve got a great energy to you.” His advice: “Just sing smart.”
That led Underwood to address Howell’s song choice. “Because you are so bubbly and fun and spunky, should you go forward…,” Underwood said while winking, “if you keep your song choices young and fun and spunky, that’ll do you well.”
Howell received three “yes” votes from the judges and advanced to Hollywood Week. That portion of the show begins airing on Feb. 23, following one more week of auditions.
At her high school, Howell witnesses to her faith through an unusual medium: parking lot paint. The junior decorated her parking spot with her single title, the lyrics, “Ain’t no devil gonna tread on me,” and a reference to 1 Peter 1:6-9.
“It was a last minute decision to put the [Bible] verse at the bottom,” Howell posted, “but it is so powerful and I’m so thankful I did!!”
