Kylie Frey brought a deeply personal country performance to the America’s Got Talent stage when she performed her original song “Horses in Heaven,” a song she wrote for her grandfather. The audition combined her rodeo background, country-music style and a personal story that was important to her.

From Rodeo Queen to the AGT Stage

Frey comes from Opelousas, Louisiana, and described herself as being part of a big rodeo family. She said she had been a rodeo queen and began singing the National Anthem at rodeos because she loved to sing.

Her goal was connected to the rodeo world as well. Before performing, Frey explained that her grandfather encouraged her to keep singing the National Anthem at rodeos, believing that the experience could eventually help her reach the National Finals Rodeo, commonly known as the NFR.

That background gave her AGT audition a clear connection between her music and the world she grew up around.

She Wrote “Horses in Heaven” for Her Grandpa

Instead of choosing a familiar cover song, Frey performed an original country song titled “Horses in Heaven.”

She explained that she wrote the song for her grandfather. The lyrics imagine him somewhere beyond this life, still surrounded by the horses and ranch-life imagery that connected to her family and her memories of him.

The song gave Frey an opportunity to present both her voice and her songwriting. Her performance was accompanied by musicians, while Frey played guitar and delivered the song in a country style.

Simon Cowell Calls Kylie Frey “The Real Deal”

After hearing Frey perform, Simon Cowell made it clear that he was impressed.

According to coverage of the audition, Cowell said he really liked her and described her as “the real deal.” Heidi Klum also praised the overall sound and presentation, while Howie Mandel had a different opinion of the song.

The contrast in the judges’ reactions became part of the audition. Ultimately, Frey received enough yes votes to continue in the competition. Reports from the audition show that Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum and Sofia Vergara voted yes, while Howie Mandel voted no.

A Performance Built Around Her Own Story

One of the defining elements of Frey’s audition was that she did not simply perform a song selected for a television competition. She brought an original song connected to her family and her own country-music journey.

Her rodeo background also played an important role in the story she told before singing. She explained that she had looked up to Reba McEntire and wanted to follow a similar path from performing at rodeos toward a larger music career.

The performance was also reported to receive a standing ovation from the audience, while Terry Crews described it as “beautiful.”

Kylie Frey’s AGT Journey

Frey’s audition was part of Season 18 of America’s Got Talent in 2023. She advanced beyond the auditions and later performed another original song, “I Do Thing,” during the live rounds.

Her AGT appearance therefore became more than a single audition. It introduced viewers to a country singer and songwriter whose performance was closely connected to her rodeo background and family story.

Final Thoughts

Kylie Frey’s “Horses in Heaven” audition stands out because the song was personal from the beginning. She brought an original country song written for her grandfather and performed it on one of television’s biggest talent-show stages.

Simon Cowell’s description of Frey as “the real deal” became one of the memorable moments of the audition, while the judges’ differing reactions showed that the performance created a genuine discussion on the panel.

For viewers discovering the performance today, the heart of the audition remains the same: a country singer, a song written for someone important to her, and a chance to share that story with a much larger audience.