SALT LAKE CITY — Kenadi Dodds is about to learn if she’s the next winner on “America’s Got Talent.” But regardless of tonight’s outcome, the budding country artist is going into the high-pressure situation knowing she’s gained at least one new fan: Sen. Mike Lee of Utah.
“You’ve got a lifelong fan in me,” the senator told Kenadi during a Zoom call Wednesday morning.
Not long after weighing in on the next U.S. Supreme Court nomination, Lee briefly chatted with 15-year-old Kenadi about being on “AGT” and her plans for the future. The singer from North Logan, who is one of 10 finalists on “AGT,” told Lee that when she’s performing on national television she likes to pretend she’s singing in a smaller environment — like her basement at home.
“I’ve found myself a lot on ‘AGT’ going back to times where I was on a little stage with just me and a guitar and a few people who came,” she said. “Something about that was very calming for me these last few rounds, just thinking about that.”
Millions of viewers have tuned in each week to watch Kenadi and the other “AGT” competitors. Throughout her run on the show, the singer-songwriter has performed a mix of original music and covers of uplifting country songs, including Thomas Rhett’s “Be a Light” and, most recently, Carrie Underwood’s “Love Wins.”
The teenager told the senator she’s usually excited to take the “AGT” stage, but that she does get nervous from time to time.
“Having a little bit of nerves is a good thing,” she said. “It means that you care. You care about your performance and making people happy.”
“AGT” is about to come to an end, but for Kenadi, it’s just the beginning. The young singer told Lee she’s already looking ahead, working on achieving goals like recording her own albums and selling out Madison Square Garden by the time she’s 20.
“That’s quite a goal,” Lee said. “I want to be there when you perform at Madison Square Garden.”
The “AGT” finale airs tonight at 7 p.m. MDT. Kenadi thanked her family, Lee and the state of Utah for their support throughout her run on the show, saying that she hopes to always “stay true to my roots … and remember where I came from.”
“I just want to let you know that no matter what happens tonight, I want you to know that my entire family and our entire state is behind you, cheering for you,” Lee said. “We’re praying for you. ... Just know that you’ve got a lifelong fan in me.”