For over a decade, football fans have enjoyed Carrie Underwood’s performance of the theme song for NBC’s Sunday Night Football, titled “Waiting All Day for Sunday Night.” Recently, fans witnessed Underwood’s reaction to a contestant performing the song in her honor on American Idol. Underwood gained fame after winning the fourth season of Fox’s American Idol, and now, in addition to her flourishing music career, she serves as a judge in the show’s 23rd season alongside Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, marking her first season in this role.
The latest episode of American Idol featured an audition from Yani, a contestant from Tabernacle, New Jersey, who performed Underwood’s iconic SNF theme for the judges. When it came time to decide whether Yani would advance past the auditions, Underwood admitted that while she felt Yani’s song choice may not be the best fit for the show, she couldn’t overlook her impressive voice.
“You are very clever,” Underwood remarked. “You were thinking, ‘What have they not heard yet?’ I’m gonna say yes. I don’t know if you are right for the show, but I can’t say no to your voice.” Despite Underwood’s support, Bryan voted against Yani, leaving the final decision to Richie, who ultimately said yes, allowing her to progress to the “Hollywood Week” segment of the competition.
While some might view Yani’s performance of Underwood’s famous song as merely an attempt to catch her attention, Yani’s Instagram profile suggests a deeper connection. Her posts reveal her passion for the Philadelphia Eagles, including a video where she exuberantly sings the Eagles’ fight song, “Fly, Eagles Fly,” after their Super Bowl victory.
