American Idol Judges Will Remember Haeley Vaughn's "Last Name"
Carrie Underwood has become such a cultural phenomenon, I'm not surprised people are starting to cover her songs when they audition for American Idol. This, however, surprised me. Haeley Vaughn, who is only 16, did Underwood's "Last Name" on Wednesday night's (Feb. 3) Idol auditions from Denver. And, man, did she do it well. She told the judges she was hoping she could be the first black pop-country kind of mainstream singer. (I do remember Rissi Palmer wanting that same kind of thing when she debuted with "Country Girl" in 2007, but she has only charted three singles, none reaching the Top 40.) The Idol judges seemed to buy Vaughn's dream, with Simon Cowell calling her "a cute little thing," Victoria Beckham saying she was "infectious" and Randy Jackson saying he liked her but warning, "Don't get too soundalike with Carrie Underwood."
Photo credit: Michael Buckner/FOX
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
Walter says:
Yeah that’s just great. A 16 year old kid singing about getting drunk and having a one night stand with someone she doesn’t even know. Way to influence Underwood.
Wanda says:
Back off walter atleast she cang sing its just a song
countryiscool says:
If we picked on ALL songs for moral content, little would be on radio. Don’t like it Walter, don’t listen, turn your dial.
Robin says:
I think Rissi Palmer was a million times better. I wish she would have used this avenue to market herself.
S says:
Too bad she didn’t sing Taylor Swift’s song Picture To Burn. That way she could have sang:
State the obvious, I didn’t get my perfect fantasy
I realize you love yourself more than you could ever love me
So go and tell your friends that I’m obsessive and crazy
That’s fine I’ll tell mine you’re gay
How nice to sing about spreading rumors that someone is gay.
Walter says:
Moral content or radio has nothing to do with it. It is illegal for a 16 year old to drink. Having sex with a 16 year old is statutory rape. Once you’ve reached the age of 18 or 21 I couldn’t care any less about YOUR morals. This isn’t about you unless you’re 16, then it’s breaking the law.
Andy says:
Walter I thought your first post was pretty funny, and you made a good point, even though its JUST a song. But everyone knows that it’s only illegal to drink before age 21 if you get caught by the cops lol.
Andy says:
Carl W.
I never said anything about the statutory rape thing, I was just saying that even though drinking is technically “illegal” until u are 21, I have yet to meet someone who actually waited until they were 21 to drink. I was just trying to make a joke. I’m 22, give me a break. I had my first drink when I was 18, and all I know was that Captain Morgan is really good, and that first hangover was NOT fun.
Samantha says:
It’s just a SONG. Does not mean she is going to go out and party.
Alison W says:
she’s not that good
andie says:
hey if you are gonna see the moral content…i could see it as….look what happens when you get that drunk…dont do it…there is a moral lesson…so dont mess with carrie…besides its just a song
okramone says:
what is with all the negativity with carrie. she’s a great person and a very talented singer. you people with nothing good to say probably should find a site with something you like, if that’s possible!
fantasia says:
I guess Clint Eastwood is evil because his “character” blew people away with a .44 mag. It’s called ACTING A ROLE. Geez haters, get over it. Carrie is an amazing artist.
Steven says:
Pay attention. This isn’t about what Carrie sings. She’s an adult. It’s about a 16 year old girl listening to and singing about getting drunk and having sex with a stranger. Very well said Walter.
Robin says:
Pay attention Steven. The song isn’t about having sex. It’s about getting married and not really knowing the guy. They got married just after meeting (albeit drunk) and getting married at 16 is not illegal in Nevada (although it does require parent consent). Any sex that takes place after they are married is not statutory rape.
You just took a tangent for no good reason.
Uncle Leo says:
I see nothing wrong with 16 year olds singing about getting drunk and having one night stands either. Good post Robin.
Mitch says:
Hi Robin and Uncle Leo, glad I’m not the only one that thinks it’s cool for kids to start early and get in on some action. It’s going to happen sooner or later anyway so why not sooner? Nothing wrong with it at all. Walter, take your morals somewhere else, and get with the times.
Robin says:
Hmm - not sure how you boys got that out of my post - but hey, whatever.
The song is not about “getting some action”. It’s about marrying someone in Vegas withough knowing them. It’s not something a 16 year old can even do without parental consent.
barb b says:
walter stop the hate on carrie it is
only a song carrie is a very respectful
person why do you always attack her carrie
was acting out she is not like that
vera says:
I think that people could really appreciate Haeley if she would perform “At Seveenteen” by Janis Ian. I think that the song represents her and it would be really relatable to a lot of teen girls.
chuck says:
I agree with vera!!!
zebedee says:
That Asian guy really has “Soul”. That was a awesome version of “God bless the child”. I don’t know what Simon and cara was thinking.
mom says:
Thanks Haely for resurrecting Tracy Chapman. She was an “INTERNATIONAL” Superstar!!!
Paula Stroup says:
People, people, people…..Really…..I think if Ms. Haeley Vaughn, had sung a christian song, she would have someone tearing her a new one because they were atheists and the words had offended them!! GIVE THIS KID A BREAK!! Lets face it, there are just some folks you just can’t please because they are just so miserable with life and themselves in general,they can’t stand to see someone else with a million dollar smile on their face, which is exactly what Haeley has!!! I think she is going to have several reasons to keep smiling for a very long time!!