Slater Nalley ’25 is Headed to Hollywood!

Lovett senior Slater Nalley is a performer at heart. He has always felt most comfortable with a guitar in hand. Now, his dreams are becoming a reality on one of the most popular competition television shows in America, with millions of people witnessing his talent.

In September 2024, Slater received a call that he would have the opportunity to audition for the 23rd season of American Idol. Two months later, he was singing in Nashville before judges and multi-platinum recording artists Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie. Slater auditioned for American Idol with an original song titled "Traces of You," as seen in a sneak peek of the new season. The song is an emotional tribute to Lovett English teacher Michele Davis’ late son, Carter Davis, who tragically passed away in 2016.

Before Slater’s performance, Mrs. Davis shared the heartfelt backstory with the judges, explaining that after she had written a poem in memory of her son, she approached Slater about turning it into a song. Mrs. Davis reflected on how particularly kind and supportive Slater had been when she first shared the story of her son with Slater’s class, as she does every semester. In Spring 2022, Slater performed "Traces of You" for the first time during a Lovett chapel service, beautifully capturing the essence of Carter's spirit.

During Slater’s American Idol audition, the judges were moved to tears, with Carrie Underwood declaring, “I couldn’t have imagined you doing that any better.” They unanimously advanced Slater to the next round, exclaiming together, "You're going to Hollywood!"

“To hear Slater sing 'Traces of You' in front of celebrity judges and then to watch the audition was truly surreal. Just magical,” Michele Davis said. “Losing a child shatters you, and yet life goes on. To see Carter’s spirit get to live on a little in this song — it’s a priceless gift that seems to put some of those shattered pieces back together.”

Slater credits Lovett for prioritizing strong student-faculty relationships, allowing organic mentorship opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.

“I think that Lovett prepared me in my character,” said Slater. “[There were] a lot of times where I was feeling down on myself, and I would always have the support of faculty. The main thing I have to thank Lovett for is Mrs. Davis; they hire really incredible faculty.”

Slater is a “Lovett Lifer,” a student who enrolled at The Lovett School in Kindergarten through graduation. He has become very involved with extracurricular activities, including chorus and the school musical. Lovett faculty and staff work intentionally to cultivate an environment where students can discover their unique talents and gain the tools to pursue their dreams.

“We believe in bringing out the extraordinary in every student and the transformative power of mentorship, creativity, and community. The journey of Slater Nalley and Michele Davis is a testament to the deep connections that form between our students and faculty — relationships that extend beyond the classroom and shape lives in profound ways,” said Meredyth Cole, Head of School. “Slater’s original song, “Traces of You,” is a powerful tribute to resilience, storytelling, and the healing power of music. We are incredibly proud to see a Lovett student share their talent on a national stage, and we will be cheering him on every step of the way!”

Slater’s journey officially kicks off during American Idol’s Season 23 premiere on Sunday, March 9 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.