Kaibrienne ‘KB’ Richins’ one-of-a-kind voice had the judges shaken during her American Idol audition last month. The gorgeous 20-year-old from Henefer, Utah, stunned judge Luke Bryan with her raspy, unique voice on Zach Bryan’s “Something in the Orange”. Bryan was gushing after her audition, saying, “from the first note I had like full body, wave of chills.”
KB looks like a megastar with her sparkly blue eyes and wavy blonde locks, but the small town girl admitted she’d never auditioned for the show before, as she wasn’t confident enough to do it previously. She has also battled with a Hashimoto’s disease diagnosis since she was three years old, which leads to “crazy mood swings” when it flares up. She left all that behind her when it was time to sing though, and her powerhouse audition has already blown up online, with 1.1 million views.
You hear a lot of great voices on American Idol, but KB is definitely one for the ages. Once she starts singing, you can’t take your eyes off her. She just has that special something to channel her soul through her voice, which some fans commenting on her audition compared to the late legend, Janis Joplin.
Bryan had loads of praise for KB, saying, “The coolest thing is that you’re 20, you’re from a little old small town in Utah. You just have it, so great job.” Lionel Richie was also a fan, saying, “I’ve heard that song a gazillion and one times, but that was your song. And you told the story, and that’s your sound. I really loved what you did.” KB’s talent is no secret to the world, as her cover of Adele’s “Easy on Me”, which her dad captured during a family car ride, went viral in 2021.
Katy Perry dialed into KB’s vocal talent in her comments, saying, “I think you have a real unique tone about you, and it’s very special. It may need some pulling and prodding, and people to help strengthen it. But that is the special sauce that people have when they’re forming who they are as an artist.”
All three judges then gave KB yes votes and Bryan put a big smile on the young singer’s face by declaring that she was on her way to Hollywood.
If you want to see more of KB, you can see her share her talents on her Dad’s YouTube channel, Jewell Richins, which features a number of car singalongs, including eight performances which have been viewed more than a million times.
If you wish to experience more of KB Richins’ extraordinary vocal prowess, you are encouraged to follow and support her at her Facebook page: KB Richins. Her captivating performances, which included a memorable audition on American Idol, have already earned her substantial acclaim. Her unique sound has been compared to that of the legendary Janis Joplin. She is undeniably one to watch in the music world.