Carrie Underwood thinks American Idol has found its next Taylor Swift

LOS ANGELES – The American Idol judges’ table became a battleground of opinions during Sunday’s episode as 18-year-old singer-songwriter Zaylie Windsor stunned the panel with her raw talent—and left Carrie Underwood convinced she might be witnessing the rise of the next Taylor Swift.

Windsor, armed with just an acoustic guitar, delivered an emotional performance of The Used, an original song she wrote at just 14 years old. The stripped-down audition showcased her delicate yet compelling vocals and introspective lyrics, earning immediate praise from Lionel Richie.

“You showed us a lot in your voice—you can go from small and focused to soaring,” Richie marveled. “I’m impressed by the song, too. There’s real artistry in there.”

But Luke Bryan wasn’t fully sold. While acknowledging Windsor’s potential, he hesitated, calling her lyrics “a 14-year-old level of song” and suggesting she might not be ready for the competition.

That’s when Underwood, a country superstar who knows a thing or two about breakout talent, stepped in with a bold comparison.

“There’s a Taylor Swift-esque quality that she has,” Underwood argued. “She doesn’t have a giant, belty voice, but there’s something special in there. If she wrote that at 14, imagine what else she can do.”