Watch Carrie Underwood Perform Nu Metal on “American Idol” With a Contestant

It can be a bit awkward when a metalhead performs their favorite songs on shows like American Idol or America’s Got Talent. While I don’t want to mock people for doing what they love, seeing someone scream a Cannibal Corpse song in front of judges who usually appeal to mainstream tastes can be, as the kids say, “cringe.”

Carrie Underwood Shows Her Love for Nu Metal on “American Idol”

However, something genuinely fun and wholesome happened recently on American Idol that’s worth sharing. A contestant named Insite (probably not his real name) decided to audition for the show. Instead of choosing a typical song like “Hallelujah” or “Thinking Out Loud,” he went with Korn’s “Freak On A Leash” and Drowning Pool’s “Bodies.”

As it turns out, Carrie Underwood, one of the judges and a huge country star, was a big nu metal fan in her high school years. We know this because she said so in the clips below and also because she has shown her love for metal music in the past. During Insite’s performance, Underwood stood next to him, dancing, singing, and banging her head to the songs. The other judges, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, also enjoyed the performance, but Underwood’s enthusiasm really stood out.

Since this is the audition phase, it’s uncertain if he will make it onto the main show. But it’s impressive that he made enough of an impact to be included in the final cut. Who knows? Maybe this will help him get a gig with a band someday.

In essence, it’s not every day you see a country superstar like Carrie Underwood rocking out to nu metal on a show like American Idol. This unique moment reminds us that music has the power to bridge different worlds and bring people together, even in the most unexpected ways.

Watch the video below: