American Idol judge Carrie Underwood couldn’t hold back tears while watching contestant Breanna Nix perform her iconic song ‘Jesus Take The Wheel’ during auditions for the show’s new season.
Breanna Nix, a 25-year-old mom from Denton, Texas, arrived with her husband Austin and their toddler son Emerson. When Breanna called herself “just a stay-at-home mom,” Carrie quickly responded, “Never say you’re just a stay-at-home mom. You have the most important job and I’m sure he loves it.”
While Austin prepared to play piano for the audition, Carrie offered to hold Emerson. Throughout the performance, the toddler sat on Underwood’s lap, sometimes drifting off to sleep as his mother sang.
‘Jesus Take The Wheel,’ written by Brett James, Hillary Lindsey, and Gordie Sampson, was released in 2005 after Underwood’s own Idol win.
The song tells the story of a woman who turns control over to God during a crisis, a message that speaks to trusting God when life gets difficult.
Breanna shared her personal story before her audition. “Emerson was a blessing I didn’t know I needed,” she said. “I was overweight my whole life, always the bigger girl. Right after I had my son, I was 315 pounds. I remember being in the delivery room and looking down at him knowing that if I was going to be the best mom I could, this lifestyle was not going to work.”
This moment changed Breanna’s path. “I decided to lose weight, and it led me to a journey of self-love,” she explained. Her reason for auditioning went beyond herself: “I am doing this because I want Emerson to know that anything is possible. He is watching his mama go after her dreams. I hope one day he’ll do the same.”
As Breanna sang ‘Jesus Take The Wheel’ with her husband on piano, Carrie became emotional while holding little Emerson. When the song ended, Carrie said through tears, “I’m sorry, he’s just adorable and sweet and it got to me.”
The song clearly meant something special to Emerson as well. Breanna told Carrie, “He’s had so many car rides where he was gonna go to sleep, but I’d get on that chorus, and he’d go ‘Wheel’ in the carseat, and he knows it word for word.”
After her audition, Breanna posted on Instagram: “That was the scariest… but BEST moment of my life! I’ll never ever forget this! Don’t forget to tune in March 9th to see if I got that golden ticket!! Thank you guys so so much. I really appreciate everyone, & I am truly so humbled for this opportunity.”
When I saw that sweet little boy fall asleep while his mom sang ‘Jesus Take The Wheel,’ it reminded me how peaceful life becomes when we let Jesus take control.
We often try to manage everything ourselves, creating stress and worry. But real peace comes when we surrender to Him, just as the song describes. Let’s find that perfect rest today, knowing that Jesus holds the wheel of our lives.
WATCH: Breanna Nix Sings ‘Jesus Take The Wheel’ on American Idol
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