Palmer admitted, “that was like one of the best moments of my life. Thank you!”
Kamryn Palmer and Carrie Underwood; Photo Courtesy of American Idol / ABC
Kamryn Palmer experienced a full-circle moment during her American Idol audition when she not only performed in front of her childhood hero but also shared the stage with her in a once-in-a-lifetime duet.
The 25-year-old singer from Florida, who has resided in Nashville for the last six years, has long admired Carrie Underwood, who is the highest RIAA-certified female country artist of all time with over 95 million total units sold in the United States.
“Carrie Underwood is literally my favorite singer of all time since I was 5 and I saw her on American Idol,” Palmer shared in an introductory clip, before a throwback clip was shown of her at age 11 during a talent show. In the throwback clip, a young Kamryn Palmer stated, “a performer I look up to is Carrie Underwood. I love her, and if I see her and meet her, I might pass out.”
That moment ultimately came full circle during her Idol audition when she got to say hello to the “Before He Cheats” singer in person and ask her to sing a duet with her as Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan watched.
“I actually dressed up as you for Halloween [when] I was five years old,” Palmer told Underwood before detailing why she had a postcard of Underwood stuck in the strings of her guitar. “My mom is awesome, and she sent a photo to you, and I got a little postcard back, and it’s dated December 2006, and I thought I’d bring it now… I love you so much.”
Palmer then showcased her vocals with a cover of “Home Sweet Home” by Mötley Crüe, an iconic rock band that Underwood adores as an avid fan of classic rock. Of the song choice, Luke Bryan commented, “Wow. You’re already making Carrie happy.”
Unfortunately, her audition was met with some praise and critiques from Idol judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan, who felt she was not quite ready for the singing competition.
“Kamryn, you’re very comfortable playing and singing and emoting, which is really refreshing,” Underwood stated, “You have a good voice. I would love to hear more fire in there…but if you can find that sass and push your voice, I think you deserve a chance to do that. Thank you. So it’s a yes for me.”
Bryan immediately followed with, “You’ve got a nice voice, but I just don’t know if it’s all the way there yet for Idol.”
Richie added, “I’m trying to place you in a setting where seven songs in, is the house going to come down. I’m still not quite clear on that element of it. It’s going to be a no, but it’s a real optimistic no.”
Ultimately, Bryan and Richie voted no, preventing Kamryn Palmer from advancing to Hollywood Week. Palmer said she would work her butt off to improve her vocals before asking Underwood, “Before I go, can I sing it with you?” Much to Palmer’s surprise, Underwood quickly obliged and said, “Let’s do it!”
Carrie Underwood then joined Kamryn Palmer in the center of the Idol audition room for a duet of the iconic rock song. Palmer then began strumming her acoustic guitar to launch into their cover of “Home Sweet Home” by Motley Crue, with Underwood taking lead vocals for the opening verse of the track.
“You know I’m a dreamer/ but my heart’s of gold/ I had to run away high/ so I wouldn’t come home low/ Just when things went right/ it doesn’t mean they were always wrong,” Underwood sang as Palmer played the guitar with a big smile on her face.
Palmer and Underwood traded verses and joined together on the chorus. “I’m on my way/ I’m on my way/ Home sweet home/ Tonight, tonight/ I’m on my way/ I’m on my way/ Home sweet home,” the contestant and judge pair sang in perfect harmony.
As they wrapped up their duet of the rock anthem, Palmer admitted, “that was like one of the best moments of my life. Thank you!”
While Kamryn Palmer did not advance to Hollywood Week, she was beyond thrilled to have the opportunity to sing a duet with her musical hero, Carrie Underwood. “It’s okay. I got to sing with Carrie. I’m 1000% going to keep singing. It’s my whole life. It’s what I believe I was put on this earth to do, and I’m going to keep doing it,” Palmer told Idol producers as she exited the audition room.
New episodes of American Idol air every Monday at 8/7c on ABC and will be available to stream the next day on Hulu.
Source: musicmayhemmagazine.com
