Rodeo queen Kylie Frey impersonates Simon Cowell before singing heartfelt tribute to grandpa
America’s Got Talent 2023 returns to its regularly scheduled auditions show–the 8th of season 18 to be exact–next week. Among those auditioning in front of judges Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum, Sofia Vergara and Simon Cowell is country singer Kylie Frey.
The 28 year old from Opelousas, Louisiana auditioned with an original song called “Horses in Heaven.” The singer comes from a big rodeo family and is inspired by The Voice coach Reba McEntire to chase her dreams.
“I’m from a big rodeo family,” Kylie explains to the judges. “I was a rodeo queen. I started singing the national anthem for every rodeo that I showed up to because I just love to sing.”
She adds that she grew up watching Simon on AGT. Kylie was such a big fan of the judge and the show, that she impersonated him. “I had birthday parties and I impersonated you. I had all my friends come over and I was Simon.”
Sofia asks Kylie to demonstrate her impersonation. A little embarrassed, using a fake English accent, Kelly intones, “That was terrible.” Simon quips in response, “That was terrible. But I still like you.” Kylie smiles, “It means the world to be here in front of you.”
“I wrote this song for my grandpa”
Kylie sings an original song, inspired by a grandparent. “I wrote this song for my grandpa. He always told me, if I sing the national anthem for every rodeo that I showed up to, that one day someone would ask me to sing the national anthem at the NFR.” She explains that the NFR is the superbowl of rodeo. “That’s how I was going to get my start, because that’s how Reba did and that’s how I was going to do it too.”
If she hasn’t performed the anthem for the NFR yet, she certainly will now after that heartfelt and emotional performance. Watch it below. “Beautiful!” shouts host Terry Crews afterward.
America’s Got Talent Auditions 8 airs on Tuesday, August 1 at 8 pm. Season 18 LIVE SHOWS begin on Tuesday August 22.
