Braden Rumfelt, a 22-year-old substitute teacher from Murphy, North Carolina, had big dreams of playing professional sports and was encouraged to do so by his father, until a congenital leg condition and subsequent surgeries halted those plans, leading him to American Idol.
“Unfortunately, going into high school, I was starting having knee pain in both of my legs. Then I found out that I have a congenital issue. My legs are naturally in the wrong position. I needed surgery… two lower leg realignments. That put a stop to the dreams of becoming an athlete,” Braden revealed ahead of his audition. Later admitting that “it was tough seeing everybody be able to get to do what I wanted to do.”
The one thing that eased Braden’s disappointment and pain was singing with his twin brother, Kellen. He explained, “As I’m hurt, it kind of hit me like, wait, I feel better when I am singing. And my twin brother, Kellen, was there for me. He was kind of like my voice of encouragement.”
Kellen Rumfelt told Idol producers that his brother always had a natural gift for music. “Growing up till now, I always felt that his talent is music, is singing, and I couldn’t be more proud of Braden because of everything that he’s going through, where he’s at now with pursuing his new dream. He’s my hero,” Kellen said, praising his brother.
Though Braden had been “scared” to audition for American Idol initially, stepping in front of the Idol judges has been a dream come true. “This is my dream. I didn’t know that I would get a chance like this. It’s really awesome,” he admitted.
Braden Rumfelt went on to prove he has what it takes to be crowned the next American Idol with an incredible rendition of “Girl Crush” by Little Big Town.
“I want to taste her lips/ Yeah, ’cause they taste like you/ I want to drown myself/ In a bottle of her perfume/ I want her long blonde hair/ I want her magic touch/ Yeah, ’cause maybe then/ You’d want me just as much/ I got a girl crush/ I got a girl crush,” Braden, wearing a tan jacket over a white t-shirt with jeans and white Nike sneakers, belted out the lyrics, his goosebumps-inducing effortless vocals on full display as his twin brother, Kellen, strummed the acoustic guitar beside him.
Braden’s audition was met with thunderous applause from Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan, who all swooned over his incredible vocals.
“I’m happy. Surprising. I don’t know what I expected to come out of your mouth, but that wasn’t it and made me happy. I feel like you are very nervous. Got to loosen up,” Underwood said, praising his exceptional talent while offering constructive criticism to help him relax. Bryan then chimed in, “I wanted to come out there and just shake your arms and throw your vest across the room. And I think you’re a racehorse, man.”
Richie gushed, “You have a top end to your voice. It’s not as high as Steve Perry, but the texture when you get up there is so sweet, man… It does not [break]. And we can wake the outside of you up to combine it with the inside of you, what’s coming out. We’ve got show business.”
“He can sing, y’all. You’re going to do really good in this competition,” Bryan added with a smile on his face. Richie then agreed with Bryan, saying, “Yes, he can. You’re going to do really great.”
Collectively, Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan shouted, “You’re going to Hollywood Week!” As the twin brothers exited the Idol audition room, Rumfelt admitted, “We’re fired up. Let’s go. Is this real? I almost wanted to pinch myself. With the struggles that I’ve had over the years, I couldn’t be happier.”
Braden credits his twin brother, Kellen, for making it to this moment. “We’ve got a lot of memories together under our belt, and I wouldn’t be here without his help. And I love this guy,” Braden admitted.
From behind closed doors in the audition room, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie told Idol producers, “He is 80% of what he could be doing! He’s got such potential.”
New episodes of American Idol air every Monday at 8/7c on ABC and will be available to stream the next day on Hulu.
