"It's so brave": American Idol contestant McClendon impresses Carrie Underwood with an original song tribute for his late father

When Freddie McClendon, then 19 years old, took the American Idol stage in Season 23, his performance received a lot of praise.

Freddie moved the judges with an original song he sang in memory of his late father, Davis McClendon. His moving performance of You Never Loved Him made Carrie Underwood, in particular, find it difficult to contain her tears, demonstrating the power of the song.

"It's so brave of you to decide that you want to choose the narrative — that you want to remember him, not what happened, but him. It was a good song, and you could feel your heart behind it," Underwood said through tears.

Attempting to free his father's story from the real crime storylines that had dominated media attention since Davis's tragic death in May 2023, McClendon's audition was more than just securing a spot in the competition.

The episode, which aired during the fourth week of American Idol auditions, showcased McClendon's pure ability and moving story on a show that has helped launch the careers of several recording artists, including Underwood, since its beginning in 2002.

What happened during McClendon’s American Idol audition?

Freddie McClendon arrived at his American Idol audition with a mission. His father's death in a hit-and-run incident had become fodder for true crime podcasts and TV shows nationwide. Even CBS's 48 Hours had featured the case.

"He was something so much bigger than just the true crime story of the week," McClendon explained to the judges.

Adding further,

"He was our dad and he meant the world to us."

Through his original song You Never Loved Him, McClendon aimed to shift the narrative around his father's tragic death to the loving parent he was. The strategy worked. His authentic performance captivated all three American Idol judges – Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Carrie Underwood.

Bryan was particularly impressed, comparing McClendon to one of music's most celebrated songwriters.

"You have such an honest approach to performing," Bryan said.

Commenting further:

"You're like a modern-day Paul Simon or something."

The town of Greenwood, South Carolina, was devastated by Davis McClendon's death in May 2023. His body was found purposefully smashed between cars on the side of the road. Following the conviction and 45-year jail sentence of William "Bud" Ackerman Jr., the estranged husband of the woman Davis had been seeing, the case attracted global attention.

Freddie made it apparent that he wanted people to understand his father's true identity, not only how he passed away, even if American Idol skipped over these details.

When his father passed away, the young performer, who was already estranged from his mother, turned to songwriting as a way to cope with his sorrow. The end product was a moving homage that highlighted his musical prowess and emotional fortitude.

The judges were momentarily stunned by McClendon's performance. Visibly moved, Lionel Richie found it difficult to start the feedback.

Wiping away her emotions, Carrie Underwood appreciated the song's quality as well as its courage. Her emotional reaction demonstrated how strongly McClendon's words had struck a chord.

In a heartwarming gesture, Richie asked McClendon's relatives to accompany him into the audition space. There, he was unanimously given the coveted golden ticket to Hollywood by all three judges.

"I'm so proud that I was able to tell my Dad's story, and it meant the world that it resonated with Carrie Underwood." McClendon said afterward.

Looking above, he added:

"Dad, we're going to Hollywood."

McClendon’s performance was more than just an audition

The episode was packed with standout moments, but McClendon's audition was the one that truly stuck with viewers. Fans got a nostalgic treat with Season 4 runner-up Bo Bice making a quick comeback and Carnie Wilson’s daughter joining in for a group performance of Hold On. But it was McClendon’s heartfelt performance—showing how music can heal and bring back memories—that became the emotional core of the night.

He demonstrated what American Idol has always aimed to celebrate; true skill paired with genuine emotion, by choosing to honor his father through a song.

Gaining the golden ticket meant more to Freddie McClendon than simply rising in the rankings. It was the realization of a pledge given to his father, who had previously wished for his son to be a successful musician.

McClendon's experience on American Idol serves as an example of how art can occasionally transform personal suffering. He exploited his position to provide a more complete image of the man he knew and loved, rather than letting his father's legacy be limited to true crime headlines.

His acting serves as a reminder that there are actual people with genuine relationships behind every dramatic tale. McClendon gave one of the most impactful performances of the season by opting to concentrate on his father's life rather than his demise.

McClendon is carrying his father's heritage along with his aspirations as he advances in the competition. And regardless of how far he advances, he's already achieved something remarkable – he's changed the narrative, just as Carrie Underwood noted. In doing so, he's offered both a tribute to his father and an example of how art can help reclaim what has been lost.

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American Idol Season 21 premiered in the US on March 9, with new episodes airing Sundays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and streaming the next day on Hulu.