Kellie Pickler said it felt like a “full circle” moment to return to American Idol earlier this week.

Pickler was 19 years old when she competed on Idol 20 years ago. The 2006 finalist returned to the show that launched her career on Monday evening (May 4) to perform with current contestant Hannah Harper. The pair performed Martina McBride’s “A Broken Wing” together.

Picker joined Danielle Fishel as a guest on the official American Idol podcast after the show. The pair reflected on that night’s episode and Pickler’s American Idol journey, including her audition for then-judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson. The Albemarle, North Carolina-born singer began her audition with Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone,” and went on to deliver a snippet of “A Broken Wing.” Abdul said Pickler was “adorable,” and had an “infectious” energy from the start. The judges unanimously sent the country artist to Hollywood.

“It’s just come full circle, I guess,” Pickler said when Fishel pointed out that she’d performed the same McBride song during her Idol audition with Harper 20 years later. “It’s so nice that each time you come back to Idol, it’s like you pick up right where you left off with everyone. …It’s good to be home. It is.”

Pickler said Harper was a standout from the beginning of the season. She said her sister reached out to her after Harper’s viral audition with an emotional original song, “String Cheese,” which brought 2005 winner and current judge Carrie Underwood to tears. Pickler told her sister that she’d been invited back to sing on the show. Before they knew which contestants would make the Top 5, Pickler’s sister said she hoped Harper would still be in the competition so the two of them could sing together.

“She is such a doll baby, and what a talent. I mean, everyone is amazing,” Pickler said of Harper. “She is incredible.”

Pickler returned to American Idol alongside fellow 2006 contestants Taylor Hicks, Elliott Yamin, Paris Bennett and Bucky Covington. Jackson returned as a guest mentor, and Abdul returned as a guest judge, alongside Underwood, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. American Idol host Ryan Seacrest teased a star-studded lineup taking the stage during the three-hour finale on Monday, May 11. American Idol airs on ABC on Monday at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT. It’s available to stream the next day on Hulu.

Listen to the full American Idol podcast — including the conversation with Pickler — on iHeartRadio here.

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