WATCH: Kaylin Hedges Reunites With Army Dad, Earns Platinum Ticket With Lonestar Cover On ‘American Idol’
Hedges covered Lonestar’s “Already There” in honor of her father.
Kaylin Hedges – American Idol; Photos Courtesy American Idol, ABC
Kaylin Hedges may be only 15 years old, but her vocal abilities extend far beyond her age. Her American Idol audition proves just that as she was awarded the rare Platinum ticket following her cover of Lonestar’s “Already There.”
Hedges, who is currently a high school student in New York, discovered her love for music at a young age.
“I loved music ever since I was tiny. I used to sing at all the county fairs and stuff and from that I started like discovering… I was like ‘oh, I really like this,’” she recalled. “My parents took notice of that and they started to notice how many opportunities were in places like New York and they were like ‘how do we get there?’”
Hedges explained that her dad decided to make a sacrifice so that she could attend school in New York.
“And then my dad came home one day and was like ‘I got a way that we can get there,’ but that means I have to deploy. It was really scary because he had to deploy to like dangerous places in order for me to be able to pursue music in New York, where I got to do all these school musicals and plays and stuff, but he did and we got there,” Hedges said.
Due to his extended deployment, her father had to miss out on many life milestones.
“I don’t get to see my dad very often physically, like in person. He’s had to miss a lot of things… He has missed my birthday nine years in a row. It can be hard, but it’s okay. He’s coming back next year, so, it’ll be okay,” she acknowledged.
“If he could be here right now, he would be so proud of you,” Kaylin’s mom, Hailey, told her. “You got this!”
“Getting a golden ticket would just solidify all the sacrifices weren’t for nothing. It would mean a lot, crossing all my fingers and toes,” Hedges shared before her audition.
While chatting with the panel of judges, Hedges told Perry that her father was her biggest inspiration and dedicated her performance to him.
“He’s in the military, so he’s stationed overseas. He like inspires me so much. I love him. I do miss him.”
“I’m sure he has sacrificed a lot and we thank him for him service,” Katy Perry replied.
For her audition, Kaylin Hedges sang Lonestar’s 2001 smash, “I’m Already Here.”
“I’m going to sing a song that actually to him. It’s just a song that kind of explains everything that has happened, like with us being so far away and stuff. So I just relate to it a lot,” Hedges told the judges.
Joined by an acoustic guitarist, Hedges delivered an impressive rendition of the six-week chart-topper. She even earned a standing ovation from the judges.
“15, I don’t believe it!” Lionel Richie exclaimed, referring to her age.
“That big ol’ voice in that small body,” Perry applauded.
Luke Bryan agreed. “You did a great job. You’re 15 and to be navigating like you are… You really… To navigate your falsettos and then I got a little scared because you were using falsetto a lot, but then I was like ‘oh my gosh she’s not going to be able to go big…’ oh, she just went big. She’s got a big voice.”
Before casting their votes to decide whether or not Kaylin Hedges would advance to Hollywood, the judges had a surprise for her.
“You know, before we do a vote, your dad… he sent in a message that he wanted you to hear,” Perry said as she asked the contestant to come closer to view a video on an iPad.
Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey Hedges appeared on the screen.
“Hey Kaylin this is your dad, I miss you so much, I wanted to tell you that I have nothing but pride and admiration for you,” he said. “I know I missed many of holidays and birthdays and major life events for you, but I just want you to know that no matter where I am, I am already there… just take a look.”
The judges then asked Kaylin Hedges to take a look around and her dad walked out from behind the scenes.
Kaylin was clearly shocked as she shouted, “Oh my God, dad! What the actual heck?”
“That’s what mom was whispering about… I knew she was whispering about something,” Kaylin told the judges.
“No, she doesn’t know,” Bryan revealed
Perry told her that her mom had “no idea.”
Moments later, Kaylin brought her mother into the room and her dad surprised her as well. To make the moment even sweeter, the judges surprised her with a platinum ticket.
“I mean, you’re 15 years old singing like [Barbra] Streisand,” Lionel Richie said.
American Idol airs Sundays at 8/7c on ABC.
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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