Miss Understood with Rachel Uchitel

Episode: Kaylee Bell: From Viral Keith Urban Moment to Her Biggest Tour Yet
Date: October 2, 2025
Guest: Kaylee Bell
Host: Rachel Uchitel

Episode Overview

This episode of Miss Understood spotlights Kaylee Bell, the most-streamed female country artist in Australasia. Kaylee gained international attention after a viral performance of her original song “Keith” in front of Keith Urban himself on The Voice Australia. Rachel Uchitel dives deep into the real story behind that headline moment, exploring Kaylee’s journey from a small New Zealand farming town to global stages, her steadfast independence as an artist, the power of female empowerment, and the realities of redefining success on her own terms—all while navigating new motherhood.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kaylee’s Roots & Early Passion for Country (05:02–09:23)

• Kaylee grew up in a small South Island, New Zealand town (pop. ~3,000), raised on American country classics from Reader’s Digest tapes.
• Began singing at age 4 and performing with her siblings at talent quests across New Zealand—never imagining it as a career, but as a family hobby.
• Early influences were strong female country icons: “Growing up on the other side of the world in a tiny little country town, I really felt like when I listened to country … they were actually talking to me, like they were my big sisters.” (08:30)
• Started songwriting at 14, inspired by school competitions.

2. The Turning Point: Competitions and Gigs (09:42–11:46)

• Winning the New Zealand Gold Guitar Award at 18 cemented her aspiration for a music career.
• Moved to Australia at 21; soon after, won the Toyota Star Maker competition, a notable achievement shared with Keith Urban.
• Supported her dream through numerous non-music jobs: newspaper deliveries, café shifts, pub gigs—often 2–3 per week from age 16, all to fund her education and music.

3. The "Keith" Song & The Voice Australia Experience

Writing the Song (11:59–13:26)

• The idea for “Keith” began as a late-night voice memo; the goal was to cleverly weave Keith Urban song titles into a narrative.
• Wrote the song with Nashville collaborators in 40 minutes: “We wrote it in, like, 40 minutes. It kind of wrote itself … you get these, like, little flukes of the universe helping you out.” (12:53)
• Initially hesitant to release it, fearing awkwardness in writing a tribute to her idol.

From Demo to The Voice (13:26–17:10)

• Released independently in 2019; gained some traction in Australia, but not a major breakthrough—Kaylee felt it “deserved a bigger audience than I could probably have given it.” (20:33)
• Post-COVID, decided to seize any opportunity. A random email about The Voice auditions arrived soon after. She applied on a whim.

Audition Process & Surprises (14:55–17:19)

• Auditioned with a Dixie Chicks song, not “Keith”; only when in Australia did producers switch her audition piece to her original song, unaware which coaches would be present.
• Upon arrival, learned Keith Urban was indeed a coach—adding pressure and excitement.

The Performance (22:18–26:53)

• Nerves high after a long day—her audition wasn’t until midnight.
• Performed to the backs of the coaches’ chairs; the risk of singing an original made it even scarier.
• “Keith was the first to push his button and turn around. I just remember feeling this, like, weight drop off my shoulders. … Like, oh my God, I can breathe now.” (25:16)
• All coaches eventually turned; the audience and her friend Tori’s support was immense.

Aftermath & Keith Urban’s Reaction (26:53–29:53)

• The competition’s COVID restrictions meant contestants were isolated; limited backstage interaction.
• Rachel notes Keith appeared “tongue tied” (28:14) and wonders about his reaction, but Kaylee acknowledges his on-air comments and gratitude suffice for now: “I hope one day … to get to play that song with Keith. … It was written as a tribute with all the best intentions.” (27:06; 29:54)

4. Life After Viral Fame: Independence & Huge Tours (30:17–34:29)

• Kaylee’s Voice performance changed everything: “That experience obviously changed the trajectory and blew you up much bigger…” (30:21)
• Opened for top artists—Ed Sheeran, Kane Brown, Brad Paisley.
  • The Ed Sheeran Stadium tour stood out: “If there were more Ed Sheerans in the world, we would be in a much better place.” (31:08)
  • This tour contributed to the resurgence of country music on New Zealand’s mainstream radio.
• Managed her career alone for years: “No one cares about your career as much as you do.” (33:31)
  • Recently signed management for the US but remains self-managed in Australasia.
  • Sees independence as empowering, akin to Taylor Swift’s business model.

5. The Cowboy Up Album & Being a Woman in Country (34:29–36:41)

• The new album “Cowboy Up” centers around female empowerment and the risks of forging your own path.
• Celebrates her journey: emigrating, moving to Nashville, and now embracing motherhood.
  • “I think my message is always one of empowerment, you know—never settle for less than what you deserve.” (34:39)
• Has a song for her baby boy, and discusses the unique challenges of motherhood in the music industry.
• Seeks to emulate Shania Twain in high-energy stadium dominance: “I would love to see more females filling that stadium space as headliners.” (36:10)

6. Staying True & Breaking Barriers (38:07–40:39)

• Rachel draws a parallel to Lady Gaga in A Star Is Born, asking about genre compromise for commercial success.
• Kaylee’s lesson: “The song for me, that broke into mainstream radio was the most country song I've ever written…write what you love, write what you do naturally, and the rest … will work itself out.” (39:25)
• Endorses patience and authenticity as the formula for longevity: “If you're constantly trying to chase this beast, you’ve already kind of lost. … The song wins at the end of the day.” (40:00)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Early Influences:
  “Growing up on the other side of the world in a tiny little country town, I really felt like when I listened to country … they were actually talking to me, like they were my big sisters.”
  — Kaylee Bell (08:30)

• On Creating “Keith”:
  “Basically, I want to try and write a song using as many Keith Urban song titles to tell the story, but to make it as subtle as possible…”
  — Kaylee Bell (12:00)

• On The Voice Nerves:
  “You’re singing to the back of four chairs… singing an original … there was no safety net, you know. … I don’t think I’ve ever been as scared in my life.”
  — Kaylee Bell (18:12)

• On Keith Turning His Chair:
  “Keith was the first to push his button and turn around. I just remember feeling this, like, weight drop off my shoulders. … it was, like, so amazing, that feeling.”
  — Kaylee Bell (25:16)

• On Independence:
  “No one cares about your career as much as you do yourself. And I got told that really early on in the piece and it stuck with me.”
  — Kaylee Bell (33:31)

• On Motherhood in Music:
  “Being a mom in music is scary. And it's a space that I think it's important that we talk about … I've tried to just carry on my career and he's just kind of going to get pulled along and be part of it.”
  — Kaylee Bell (34:39)

• On Big Stage Dreams:
  “I would love to see more females filling that stadium space as headliners… I always try and write for stadiums.”
  — Kaylee Bell (36:10)

• Quickfire Highlights:

  • Song that inspires? “Keith Urban, Somebody Like You” (40:46)
  • Dream duet (besides Keith): “Oh, Shania. I mean, come on.” (40:52)
  • Pinch-me moment: “Ed Sheeran … sitting having a wine backstage, talking to him about songwriting … some of the most dearest memories to me.” (41:00)
  • Advice for women in country: “Be patient, look at it as a marathon … it took me over 10 years for my moment.” (41:45)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• [05:02] Kaylee’s childhood in New Zealand, start of musical journey.
• [09:42] Winning big competitions and realizing music could be a career.
• [11:59–13:26] Inspiration and writing process for “Keith.”
• [14:29–17:19] The Voice Australia audition process; song switch and Keith as coach reveal.
• [22:18–26:53] The day-of audition nerves, performance experience, and reaction.
• [27:06] Discussion of Keith Urban’s reaction and hopes for future collaboration.
• [30:17] Effects of viral fame and joining arena tours.
• [33:31] On being self-managed and the benefits/challenges.
• [34:39–36:41] The album “Cowboy Up,” themes, female empowerment, motherhood.
• [38:07–40:39] Industry questions about authenticity, commercial appeal, and the “long game.”
• [40:46] Quickfire questions reflect Kaylee’s inspirations and values.
• [41:45] Advice for women in country: patience and longevity.

Where to Find and Support Kaylee Bell

• Instagram, Facebook, YouTube: @kayleebellmusic
• Kaylee runs her own socials and enjoys direct fan interaction (42:17).

Summary Takeaway

This episode reveals Kaylee Bell as far more than a viral headline or one-moment sensation. Through resilience, hard work, and uncompromising authenticity, she’s navigated the challenges of independent artistry, changing the face of country music in Australasia. Her candidness on the realities of the industry, the insecurities and exhilarations of viral fame, and her commitment to empowering narratives—especially for women—make her story both inspiring and instructive.

Notable Quote for Reflection (41:19):

"I hope it inspires them to go and do something … we've got one life, and I really want people to live it as best as they can."
— Kaylee Bell