When Kylie Frey walked onto the America’s Got Talent stage, she brought more than a country voice with her. The self-described rodeo queen came from a big rodeo family and had a deeply personal reason for choosing the song she performed.
Frey performed an original song titled “Horses in Heaven,” which she wrote for her grandfather. The performance combined her country roots, her love of rodeo and a personal tribute to someone who encouraged her musical dreams.
And after hearing her sing, Simon Cowell had a strong reaction: he called Kylie “the real deal.”
Who Is Kylie Frey?
Kylie Frey is a country singer from Opelousas, Louisiana, who described herself on America’s Got Talent as coming from a big rodeo family.
She explained that she had been a rodeo queen and began singing the national anthem at the rodeos she attended because she loved performing. Coverage of her audition identified her as 28 years old at the time of her Season 18 appearance.
Her connection to rodeo was therefore not simply part of her appearance on the show. It was part of her personal background and her journey as a performer.
Frey also revealed that she had grown up watching Simon Cowell on America’s Got Talent. In a lighthearted moment before her performance, she even demonstrated an impression of the famous judge.
Kylie Frey Performs “Horses in Heaven”
The emotional center of the audition came when Kylie introduced her original song, “Horses in Heaven.”
Frey explained that she wrote the song for her grandfather. According to coverage of the audition, her grandfather encouraged her dreams and told her that performing the national anthem at rodeos could eventually help her pursue her musical ambitions.
The song therefore carried a personal connection that went beyond simply trying to impress the judges.
Instead of performing a familiar cover, Frey used an original song to tell part of her own story.
That choice gave the audition a distinctly country feel while also making the performance personal.
A Song Connected to Her Rodeo Roots
Frey’s story is closely connected to rodeo culture.
She explained that she had sung the national anthem at rodeos and dreamed of eventually performing it at the National Finals Rodeo, commonly known as the NFR. Her grandfather had encouraged that ambition, and she referenced Reba McEntire as another inspiration for her musical journey.
That background helped explain why a rodeo-themed original song was such a natural choice for her AGT audition.
The performance was not simply an opportunity to showcase her voice. It also connected her musical ambitions with the family member who had encouraged her along the way.
Simon Cowell Calls Kylie Frey “The Real Deal”
One of the biggest moments of the audition came from Simon Cowell.
After hearing Frey’s performance, Cowell praised her as “the real deal.” Talent Recap reported that Cowell was impressed by her performance, while other coverage also highlighted the positive reaction she received from the judges.
For Frey, the reaction was particularly meaningful because she had already revealed that she grew up watching Cowell on the show.
Earlier in the audition, she had even impersonated him. The playful exchange gave the performance a personal connection before she ever began singing.
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Not Every Judge Agreed
Although Cowell was impressed, the audition was not a unanimous success with the judging panel.
Howie Mandel ultimately voted no, explaining that the song did not stay with him strongly enough after the final notes. Heidi Klum, Sofia Vergara and Simon Cowell voted yes, giving Frey enough support to advance in the competition.
That difference of opinion actually made the audition more interesting.
Rather than presenting the performance as an instant unanimous victory, the judges offered different perspectives on Frey’s original song.
Ultimately, the three yes votes were enough for Kylie to continue.
Why “Horses in Heaven” Stands Out
One reason the audition is memorable is its combination of music and personal storytelling.
Frey was not simply introduced as a country singer. She arrived with a clear connection to rodeo and performed an original song tied to her grandfather and the ambitions he encouraged.
That personal element gave “Horses in Heaven” a meaning beyond the competition itself.
Her audition also demonstrated how an original song can give a performer an opportunity to introduce audiences to their own identity rather than simply interpreting a song everyone already knows.
For viewers discovering Frey through America’s Got Talent, the performance offered a glimpse of her country style and her connection to rodeo culture.
Kylie Frey’s Journey on AGT
Frey’s journey continued beyond her audition.
She advanced to the live rounds and later performed another original song, “I Do Thing,” during the Season 18 competition. She ultimately did not advance to the finale.
Her AGT appearance nevertheless brought additional attention to her country music career and introduced her to a much larger television audience.
The audition remains particularly memorable because of the story behind “Horses in Heaven” and the connection between Frey’s rodeo background, her grandfather and her musical ambitions.
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Final Thoughts
Kylie Frey’s America’s Got Talent audition was about more than simply singing in front of four judges.
The rodeo queen brought an original song, “Horses in Heaven,” written for her grandfather, along with the country and rodeo background that shaped her musical journey.
Her performance earned three yes votes and a spot in the next stage of the competition, while Simon Cowell’s description of her as “the real deal” became one of the standout moments of the audition.
For fans of country music and America’s Got Talent, Frey’s audition is a reminder of how personal stories can add another layer to a live performance.
And for anyone who wants to experience the moment for themselves, the full performance is available on YouTube.
