Kylie Frey stepped onto the America’s Got Talent stage with a country voice, a rodeo background and a song that carried a deeply personal meaning.

The 28-year-old singer from Opelousas, Louisiana, described herself as a rodeo queen and explained that she had grown up in a big rodeo family.

For her AGT audition, she performed an original song called “Horses in Heaven,” which she wrote for her grandfather.

From Rodeo Queen to the AGT Stage

Frey’s connection to rodeo was an important part of her story.

She explained that she had started singing the national anthem at rodeos because she loved performing.

Her grandfather encouraged her to keep doing it, believing that performing at rodeos could eventually lead to an opportunity to sing at the National Finals Rodeo.

Frey also looked to Reba McEntire as an inspiration for her musical ambitions.

She Wrote “Horses in Heaven” for Her Grandpa

Instead of choosing a familiar cover, Frey brought an original song to the AGT stage.

Before performing, she explained that she had written “Horses in Heaven” for her grandfather.

The song connected her country music style with the family member who had encouraged her dreams.

Simon Cowell Calls Her “The Real Deal”

After Frey’s performance, Simon Cowell made his opinion clear.

He told Kylie that he “really, really” liked her and described her as “the real deal.”

The moment was especially meaningful because Frey had previously revealed that she grew up watching Simon on AGT and had even impersonated him.

Not Every Judge Agreed

The audition was not unanimous.

Howie Mandel voted no, while Heidi Klum, Sofia Vergara and Simon Cowell voted yes.

The three yes votes were enough for Frey to advance in the competition.

Kylie Frey’s AGT Journey

Frey continued into the later stages of Season 18.

She later performed another original song, “I Do Thing,” during the competition but ultimately did not advance to the finale.

Her original audition nevertheless introduced her country music and songwriting to a much larger audience.

Final Thoughts

Kylie Frey arrived on America’s Got Talent as a rodeo queen from Louisiana with a dream of pursuing country music.

She performed “Horses in Heaven,” an original song written for her grandfather and inspired by the rodeo world that shaped her life.

Three judges voted yes, while Simon Cowell gave her one of the audition’s most memorable compliments by calling her “the real deal.”

It was a performance that brought together family, country music, rodeo and songwriting in one memorable AGT audition.