Landry Champlin, a 23-year-old pageant coach and lifelong Carrie Underwood fan, had a full-circle moment on American Idol when she auditioned in front of the country superstar, earning praise from all three judges and securing her golden ticket to Hollywood.
Landry Champlin Shares Full-Circle Moment with Carrie Underwood On American Idol
The former Miss America competitor grew up singing Carrie Underwood’s songs at the Grapevine Opry. Now, auditioning for American Idol with Underwood on the judges’ panel, Champlin is experiencing a full-circle moment.
“I grew up singing on this place called the Grapevine Opry. So think like Grand Ole Opry, but way smaller in Grapevine, Texas, and they would always ask me to sing a song by Carrie Underwood,” Champlin explained ahead of her audition. “It’s amazing. I’ve been watching the show my whole life. I have dreamt of being on the show since I was, like, yay tall. One of my first ever memories growing up was watching Carrie Underwood win American Idol. I’m the biggest Carrie Underwood fan known to man. I’m obsessed with her.”
Champlin, a native of Colleyville, Texas, auditioned in Underwood’s home state of Oklahoma. Upon entering the audition room, Landry Champlin was greeted by Underwood, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, who asked her who inspires her musically.
“I’m looking at her right here. Carrie, I grew up singing all of your music,” the contestant said to the 42-year-old “Cry Pretty” singer. “So yeah, I’m actually going to sing one of those songs for you today… And Carrie, I have to tell you before I sing this, I had a dream last week, y’all that Carrie, you sang a little bit of this with me, and then you told me you were going to Hollywood. So if you want to make that come true.”
Auditioned For Idol With “Good Girl” by Carrie Underwood
Landry Champlin then went on to deliver an impressive cover of “Good Girl” by Carrie Underwood. Joined by an acoustic guitarist and donning a denim romper, the aspiring singer belted out the lyrics to the track, which was written by Underwood alongside Chris DeStefano and Ashley Gorley, and appears on Carrie Underwood’s fourth studio album, Blown Away, released in 2012.
With a big smile on her face, Champlin allowed her powerhouse vocals to shine while Underwood sang along and offered some ab libs. Richie and Bryan also got in on the action and clapped along to her incredible performance of “Good Girl.”
Earned Praise From All Three American Idol Judges
As her performance came to an end, she earned an applause from all three of the Idol judges.
“That was the coolest thing that’s ever happened to me,” Champlin said, reacting to praise from Richie, Underwood and Bryan.
Carrie Underwood was first to offer commentary on her audition.
“That was great,” Underwood gushed. “We always talk about how nervous we get when somebody is like, ‘I’m going to sing one of your songs.’ It’s like, ‘please be good, but also, please be you.’ And I feel like you definitely made it your own… You did great. It was awesome. You held your own. Thank you for that.”
Lionel Richie added, “Well, first of all, I was nervous for you once you opened your mouth. I said, oh, hallelujah, I loved your delivery, and I loved your voice and I love just how you present. It was the package.”
Luke Bryan complimented her overall performance, saying, “Great start, great vibe. Big voice, big range. That’s a tough song to sing, and I think you did good!” Bryan added.
Scored A Gold Ticket, Advanced To Hollywood
Ultimately, Landry Champlin’s performance earned three ‘yes’ votes from the Idol judges, resulting in a golden ticket to advance to Hollywood.
“Your dream came true!” Underwood shouted. Following her audition, the American Idol producer questioned Champlin and asked her which was better, her dream or the real life experience, to which she quickly replied, “Oh, the real life was so much better than the dream.”
American Idol airs every Sunday at 8/7c on ABC.
