There was lots of online buzz about Carmen Lorell’s “American Idol” 2026 audition, when the 20-year-old was accompanied by her aunt, “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” cast member Britani Bateman.
The reality star was not along for the ride during Hollywood Week, but Lorell’s appearance on the February 26 episode, crying over the stress of the situation, may generate just as much buzz. The young singer did find a silver lining after all her tears, though, telling producers with a laugh, “At least I look hot when I cry.”
Carmen Lorell Said Hearing Other ‘American Idol’ Singers Was ‘Intimidating’
Bateman, Lorell’s reality TV star aunt, was not there to cheer her niece on during Hollywood Week, when things took a turn for the worse. Lorell was shown stressing out during rehearsals and crying offstage before performing Pat Benatar’s “Heartbreaker.”
“I’ve heard the other singers in my group, it’s actually really intimidating,” Lorell said, before footage was seen of her complaining during rehearsals, “I cannot hear myself at all.”
Her vocal coach, Shelby Rollins, was seen sitting with Lorell in the auditorium as she cried, telling her, “You were not off-pitch, your notes were on.”
Lorell countered through tears, “But I know myself and I’ve never sang that horrible. I really want to show the judges something out of my comfort zone and that’s what they asked for.”
Producers then showed a flashback to Lorell’s audition, when Carrie Underwood told her, “You’re hitting some high notes in there, but it would be great if you could put some ‘umph in there,” and Lorell beamed, “You should see me with a band!”
Carmen Lorell Did Not Move Forward on ‘American Idol’
DisneyBut the band during Hollywood Week didn’t help matters, as Lorell continued to cry as she said to producers, “Maybe I took it too far and I’m doing too hard of a song? I just want to be good enough for this. But it’s just starting to feel like I can’t do it.”
“Right now I’m just trying to remember my Aunt Britani,” she continued. “I think Britani has always been a very big mentor to me, to believe in myself, to have the confidence. And that just helps … remind myself that I am good enough to just be here at this part. I really don’t want to screw it up. At least I look hot when I cry!”
The judges looked concerned during Lorell’s Hollywood Week performance, with Underwood whispering to Bryan that it looked like she was about to pass out. Bryan also wondered if she’d given up.
In the end, she did not advance in the competition. But she shared a video of her segment to her Instagram Stories and wrote, “A night of silver linings.”
The second Hollywood Week episode will air on March 2 at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
