Ryan Seacrest: (Introduction - Chatting with Kellie on stage) Kellie Pickler ladies and gentlemen!
Kellie: Hey! (Kellie waves, the audience cheer)
Ryan Seacrest: Okay, let's clear this up. Some people have said this naïvety that you've shown on the show is a bit of an act. What is the truth Kellie?
Kellie: I heard all about the whole calamari thing. You know in all honesty I didn't know what calamari was until I got here and um, all my friends were reading in the magazines and stuff, you know, about how people were making fun of me bacause of the way I say it... say 'calamari' and say 'sal-mon'.
Ryan Seacrest: Salmon, yeah, right.
Kellie: (Smiling) There's an 'L' in it so I thought you pronounced it. And the calamari thing, they were like "don't worry about it Kellie, I didn't know what it was either.
Ryan Seacrest: So this is the real you that we see on American Idol?
Kellie: Yeah! Yeah.
Ryan Seacrest: All right, and you should be proud of that then. (Cheers) Let's see how the real you prepared with Kenny Rogers. Take a look...
Intro clip:
Kellie: (Runs and greets Kenny with a hug in the rehearsal room) Heyy!
Kenny: Hey.
Kellie: It's so good to have a familiar accent.
Kenny: (To camera) I love Kellie, and who wouldn't? She's got this wonderful charm about her and she is what she presents.
Kellie: (Singing in rehearsal) ¯ Here's your one chance, Fancy don't let me down ¯
Kenny: Your money is the high notes, you know.
Kellie: (Smiles and nods) Yeah.
Kenny: That's what's gonna make it work for you.
Kenny: (To camera) To hear Kellie sing "Fancy"... it's perfect for her because that's what's she's all about. It gives her a chance to show her street, her personality and her voice as well.
Kellie sings...
¯ I remember it all very well lookin' back ¯ It was the summer I turned eighteen ¯ We lived in a one room, rundown shack ¯ On the outskirts of New Orleans ¯ We didn't have money for food or rent ¯ To say the least we were hard pressed ¯ Then Mama spent every last penny we had ¯ To buy me a dancin' dress ¯ She said here's your one chance Fancy don't let me down ¯ Here's your one chance Fancy don't let me down ¯ I knew what I had to do but I made myself this solemn vow ¯ That I's gonna be a lady someday ¯ Though I didn't know when or how ¯ But I couldn't see spending the rest of my life ¯ With my head hung down in shame ¯ You know I might have been born just plain white trash ¯ But Fancy was my name ¯ She said, here's your one chance Fancy don't let me down ¯ Here's your one chance Fancy don't let me down ¯ Lord, forgive me for what I do ¯ But if you want out well it's up to you ¯ Now don't let me down ¯ Your Mama's gonna move you uptown ¯ Lord, forgive me for what I do ¯ But if you want out well it's up to you ¯ Don't let me down ¯ No, your Mama's gonna help you uptown ¯ Fancy was my name ¯
(Cheers and applause)
Randy Jackson: Yo! Finally, finally, finally... you're in your element, I thought it was great. I actually liked the song choice for you, I thought it was really, really good man...
Kellie: Thank you!
Randy Jackson: ...you're element. This is your night baby, it's your night.
Kellie: (Delighted expression) Thanks! (Cheers and applause)
Paula Abdul: I think it's best when you pick songs that you can really sink your teeth into. This was one of 'em. This... I agree, this was a great night for you.
Kellie: (Smiles) Thanks Paula. (Applause)
Simon Cowell: Well it would be a shock if you didn't do well tonight, wouldn't it Kellie? (Randy laughs, Kellie smiles broadly) Um, I hated the song personally...
Kellie: Really?
Simon Cowell: ...but I thought your performance was very good. (Applause)
Kellie: Thank you. Sorry.
Ryan Seacrest: (Joining Kellie on stage) I'd say that's a win from him.
Kellie: Yeah?
Ryan Seacrest: (Gives out the voting numbers) Good luck Kellie.
Kellie: Thank you.