American Idol hasn't even officially begun, and Carrie Underwood is already emotional. In a sneak peek of the upcoming season, one 17-year-old performs a song in honor of his teacher's late son, bringing Underwood to tears.
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The clip begins with Slater Nalley's English teacher, Mrs. Davis, introducing him to Underwood and her fellow judges, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie.
"I have a special student of mine," she begins. "He wrote a song for my son that was killed eight years ago. Slater had heard the story about my son, and I had written a poem. And the second year that I taught him I asked, 'Would you mind looking at the poem? I'd love to see what your thoughts are and how you turn a poem into a song.' So he did, and two weeks later he wrote the song and that's what he's gonna sing today."
Davis also shares the story behind the song, and why he wanted to honor both his teacher and her son.
"This song is called 'Traces Of You," Nalley says. "I wrote it for Carter Davis. It is, 100 percent, the most deep thing I have ever written about." Nalley unfortunately didn't know Carter before he passed away, but felt compelled to honor him, and his teacher, with "Traces Of You."
Through tears, Underwood addressed Davis and Nalley, following his performance.
"Even though this was about your son, every single person that hears that can fill in that memory with somebody that's in themselves," Underwood says. "I couldn't imagine you doing that any better."
Carrie Underwood's Return to American Idol
Underwood is filling the seat left vacant when Katy Perry exited the show last year. It's a full-circle moment for Underwood, who recalls being in the same place the contestants were in, 20 years ago. Underwood recently shared an excerpt of her journal during her days on Idol, revealing her excitement and nerves in one clip.
"I just have to keep in mind that it will all be worth it and the life I've started will be great," Underwood reads. "Most importantly, I have to remember that this has all been my choice and it's something that I wanted ever since I was a little girl. Right now I'm just trying to live in the moment and appreciate it all. I never dreamed that this would all happen to me. I love it."
Season 23 of American Idol premieres this Sunday, March 9, at 8:00 PM ET on ABC.
