Real Housewives Star Crashes Niece's American Idol Audition

Britani Bateman joins her niece Carmen Lorell on stage, even breaking into song

Feb. 3, 2026 at 10:07am

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During the Monday, Feb. 2 episode of American Idol, Britani Bateman, who stars on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, crashed her 20-year-old niece Carmen Lorell's audition to show her support. At one point, Bateman even sang for the judges alongside her niece, and Lorell ended up advancing to Hollywood Week.

Why it matters

This story highlights the close relationship between Bateman and her niece, as well as Bateman's willingness to step into the spotlight to support her family member's dreams. It also showcases Bateman's own musical talents, as she previously worked on Broadway and released music before joining the Real Housewives franchise.

The details

Before Bateman, 54, started singing for judges Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, Bateman walked into the audition room with a wine glass that she tapped with a knife and declared: "Do you know me? I'm Britani. Britani Bateman." Bateman then said "This is not about me. This is about my amazing, gorgeous, perfect niece who you're about to hear. It's insane." Lorell went on to impress the judges with her take on Ty Myers' "Thought It Was Love," and Bateman even joined her niece in singing "Let Me Be Your Star" from Smash.

  • The episode aired on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026.

The players

Britani Bateman

A star on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City who previously worked on Broadway and released music before joining the reality TV franchise.

Carmen Lorell

Bateman's 20-year-old niece who auditioned for American Idol.

Carrie Underwood

One of the judges on American Idol.

Lionel Richie

One of the judges on American Idol.

Luke Bryan

One of the judges on American Idol.

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What they’re saying

“Do you know me? I'm Britani. Britani Bateman.”

— Britani Bateman (American Idol)

“This is not about me. This is about my amazing, gorgeous, perfect niece who you're about to hear. It's insane.”

— Britani Bateman (American Idol)

“I think that the only way she's going to understand this thing called roughing up is to put her in a brawl. The only way to put you in a brawl is to say yes, so you go to the next level and meet the rest of this crazy class, and you understand what this means.”

— Lionel Richie, American Idol Judge (American Idol)

What’s next

Lorell will advance to the Hollywood Week round of American Idol.

The takeaway

This story showcases the close bond between Britani Bateman and her niece Carmen Lorell, as well as Bateman's willingness to step out of her Real Housewives persona to support her family member's dreams. It also highlights Bateman's own musical talents and background, which she is now able to share with a wider audience through her niece's American Idol journey.