Breanna Nix Fights Back Tears in Emotional “Like My Mother Does” Performance on American Idol
A Night of Emotion and Celebration on American Idol
As American Idol Season 23 pushes forward, the pressure is mounting — but so is the heart. On May 11, the Top 7 contestants returned to the stage with not one, but two performances each: a Disney-themed song with guidance from guest mentor Lin-Manuel Miranda, and a deeply personal Mother’s Day tribute.
One of the night’s most emotional highlights came from 25-year-old Breanna Nix, who chose to honor her own motherhood with a cover of Lauren Alaina’s “Like My Mother Does.”
Breanna Nix Honors Her Family With Powerful Performance
The performance carried more than just melody — it carried meaning. Breanna, a mother herself, first introduced America to her sweet family during her Idol audition, where her baby son Emerson famously fell asleep in Carrie Underwood’s arms. That heartwarming moment instantly endeared her to viewers across the country.
Tonight, Breanna’s husband and young son watched from the audience as she delivered one of her most touching performances yet. With her voice trembling and tears in her eyes, she channeled every lyric into a tribute that resonated with mothers everywhere.
Judges React: “You Hit the Note of a Tear”
The reaction from the judges was instant and raw. Carrie Underwood, visibly emotional, wiped tears from her face and confessed, “I feel like I’m going to cry during every one of these performances tonight.”
Luke Bryan praised Breanna’s consistency, saying, “You just keep delivering on the vocals.”
But it was Lionel Richie who summed it up best:
“The best note you can hit is an emotional note called the tear. Once you hit the tear, you’ve got everybody in the room.”
He called her rendition “fantastic” — and America agreed.
Breanna Advances to the Top 5
Following her standout tribute, Breanna Nix was voted safely into the Top 5, proving that genuine emotion paired with undeniable talent leaves a lasting mark. Her journey is far from over — and if tonight is any indication, the best may be yet to come.
🎥 Watch Breanna’s stunning performance of “Like My Mother Does” below – and grab a tissue.
