Brenna Brigman; Photo by Disney/Eric McCandless
Brenna Brigman has spent years teaching kids to find their voices as a vocal coach, but today, it was her turn to shine. The 18-year-old from Arlington, Texas, revealed that her mission for taking the leap and auditioning for American Idol was to prove to herself and her students back home that no dream is too big to chase.
Before stepping into the audition room, she was given an extra dose of luck and confidence from a sweet video that her young students made for her. Hearing their words of encouragement reminded Brigman why she set out on this journey in the first place.
“My students mean the world to me. So many kids come in sharing their dreams with me, and it feels like me being here shows that with part work, you’re never giving up. Anything’s possible,” she marveled.
She started out by performing Alicia Keys’ “Fallin’” while simultaneously playing the piano. Carrie Underwood commended her talent and called her vocals “a really great instrument.” However, there was something missing for the country music superstar.
“I felt like the piano was distracting me. I don’t know what it was or if it was like the drawing out certain notes or something and then getting back into some sort of rhythm on the piano, but I was like, I’m trying to follow and I can’t. I want to tap a toe and I can’t do it,” she explained.
Still seeing potential, she gave the aspiring singer the chance to sing another song of her choosing. Brigman then performed Maren Morris’ “My Church,” and followed Luke Bryan’s advice to “breathe” and “settle down” a bit more.
This time, without the accompaniment of an instrument, the judges were able to hear the full soulfulness and impressive range of her vocals while delivering the 2016 country track. Every note showcased her control, emotion, and raw talent, making it clear that Brigman deserves the chance to bring her skills into the competition.
Underwood confirmed that her second delivery was “much better.”
“You have a huge range. You can sing softly, you can belt on the higher stuff. Definitely feel like there needs to be some fine tuning here and there, but I feel like you have one of the better voices that we have heard so far,” she added.
Bryan agreed with his fellow judge and pointed out that if she had even just a few hours of coaching with the “Denim & Rhinestones” singer, she could learn how to use her tools to become even more of a “dynamic” singer.
Lionel Richie also told Brigman that she has the potential to become something great and was the first to give his nod of approval.
“I love your vibe…Yes for me.”
She then earned two more approvals and left with a golden ticket in her hands and an excitement to share with her students back home.
“Getting three yeses feels absolutely amazing. This is the life I’ve always dreamed of for myself. I’ve never wanted to be anything else but a singer,” Brenna Brigman shared. “I can’t wait for my students to see me on their TVs. I really hope they just see themselves in me.”
Tonight marked the last round of auditions to air before Hollywood week commences in Nashville, TN for the first time in Idol history. Next Monday, the judges will be forced to make a massive cut and narrow down the contestants to the Top 30.
New episodes of American Idol Season 24 air Monday nights at 8/7c on ABC and streams the next day on Hulu.
