Kylie Frey brought something deeply personal to her America’s Got Talent audition: an original country song inspired by her grandfather.

Known for her rodeo background, Frey stepped onto the AGT stage and introduced herself as someone from a big rodeo family. She explained that she had been singing the national anthem at rodeos and had dreamed of building a career in music. For her audition, she chose an original song called “Horses in Heaven,” written for her grandpa.

Kylie Frey Brings Her Rodeo Roots to AGT

Before she started singing, Frey shared some of the experiences that shaped her.

She told the judges that she was a rodeo queen and had started singing the national anthem at the rodeos she attended because she loved to sing. She also revealed that she had grown up watching Simon Cowell and had even held birthday parties where she impersonated him.

That led to a funny exchange with Cowell before the serious part of the audition began.

But the heart of the audition was her original music.

“Horses in Heaven” Was Written for Her Grandpa

Frey explained that she had written “Horses in Heaven” for her grandfather.

According to coverage of the audition, her grandpa had encouraged her musical ambitions and told her that continuing to sing the national anthem at rodeos could eventually help her reach the National Finals Rodeo, or NFR. Frey also connected her ambitions with her admiration for country star Reba McEntire.

The song gave Frey an opportunity to combine two important parts of her identity: her country music ambitions and her rodeo upbringing.

Rather than choosing a familiar cover, she performed an original song with a story that was personal to her.

Simon Cowell Calls Her “The Real Deal”

Once Frey began performing, the tone of the audition changed.

Simon Cowell, who had already been part of the playful exchange earlier in the audition, responded positively to her songwriting and musicianship. In his feedback, Cowell said he really liked her and described her as “the real deal.”

That response was especially meaningful because Frey had already explained that she grew up watching Cowell on AGT.

Her performance also received praise from Heidi Klum, who complimented Frey and her band. The audition was not unanimous, however. Howie Mandel did not feel the song connected with him in the same way, while Cowell, Klum and Sofia Vergara voted yes. Frey therefore received three yes votes and advanced to the next round.

A Personal Song With a Country Identity

Part of what made the audition distinctive was the combination of personal storytelling and country music.

Frey wasn’t simply presented as a singer looking for approval from the judges. Her audition explained where her musical ambitions came from and how strongly her rodeo background was connected to her identity.

The subject of the song also made the performance more personal. “Horses in Heaven” was written as a tribute to her grandfather, who had encouraged her dreams.

That connection between family, rodeo and music gave the audition a clear sense of identity.

Kylie Frey’s AGT Journey

Frey’s journey continued beyond her audition.

She later performed another original song, “I Do Thing,” during the live portion of America’s Got Talent Season 18. Her run ultimately ended during the semifinals, but her original audition remains one of the performances associated with her AGT appearance.

Her audition also introduced her country music and rodeo background to a much wider television audience.

For viewers discovering her through AGT, “Horses in Heaven” offered more than a vocal performance. It introduced the story and influences behind the artist.

Final Thoughts

Kylie Frey’s America’s Got Talent audition stood out because it brought together music, family and rodeo culture in one performance.

She walked onto the stage as a rodeo queen from Louisiana and performed “Horses in Heaven,” an original song written for her grandfather. Simon Cowell was impressed by her songwriting and musicianship and called her “the real deal.”

The audition wasn’t a unanimous decision from the judges, but Frey earned enough yes votes to continue in the competition.

For fans of country music and America’s Got Talent, the performance remains a memorable example of how an original song can give an artist a chance to tell a personal story while showcasing their own musical identity.