Britani Bateman appeared visibly taken aback when American Idol judges Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and Lionel Richie failed to recognize her after she introduced herself during Monday night’s episode of the long-running talent competition.
The moment unfolded when the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City personality entered the audition room alongside her 20-year-old niece, Carmen Lorell Martin, who was there to try out for the show. Bateman made an immediate impression by carrying a wine glass, tapping it with a knife to command attention, and announcing, “I have an announcement!”
Bryan politely asked what the announcement was, prompting Bateman to introduce her niece before breaking into a playful, high-pitched rendition of “Carmelita.” An awkward pause followed, after which Bateman asked the judges directly if they knew who she was, repeating her name for emphasis. The judges appeared confused, and Martin stepped in to clarify that her aunt was from The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.
Bateman quickly redirected the focus back to her niece, insisting the moment wasn’t about her and praising Martin as “amazing, gorgeous, [and] perfect.” Bryan gently instructed Bateman to step aside and allow her niece to take center stage.
Martin explained that her aunt was serving as her mentor, crediting Bateman for encouraging her to pursue her dreams. Bateman became emotional as her niece performed Ty Myers’ Thought It Was Love, a rendition that impressed the judges. Underwood praised Martin’s “really pretty voice” and vocal range, while suggesting she add more intensity to her delivery.
Despite being asked to remain on the sidelines, Bateman later joined her niece for a duet of Let Me Be Your Star from Smash. Ultimately, Martin earned a coveted golden ticket to Hollywood Week, advancing in the competition despite the unconventional audition.
Bateman, who previously appeared in the second national tour of Miss Saigon in 1999, joined The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City as a “friend” in the season five premiere, which aired in September 2024. Her storyline centered on her turbulent relationship with Jared Osmond, nephew of Donny and Marie Osmond.
During the season, Bateman candidly revealed that she and Osmond had dated for eight months and broken up numerous times. In the season six premiere, she once again opened with her signature line—“I have an announcement”—sharing that the couple had briefly gotten engaged in December 2024 before calling it off just two weeks later.
Bateman explained that their children were not supportive of the relationship due to its instability, leading the pair to end their engagement. The reality star shares two daughters with her ex-husband, John Underwood, with whom she has had a complicated post-divorce relationship.
