Scotty McCreery Recalls When Priscilla Presley Told Him 'Elvis Would Have Loved You': 'Best Compliment'

The country star won 'American Idol' at age 16 in 2011

Scotty McCreery got high praise from Priscilla Presley.

During an appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show on Wednesday, June 12, McCreery recalled meeting Priscilla backstage at American Idol — and the sweet compliment she gave him.

At one point, Hudson asked McCreery, 30, what his favorite performance was on the show and he said it was singing "That's All Right, Mama" by Elvis Presley during rock and roll week.

"I love that guy, but the kicker was that Priscilla was there at the show, and I got to talk with her between commercial breaks," he said. "She looked at me, and she said, ‘Scotty, can I tell you something?’ I said, ‘Absolutely, Priscilla.'"

She said, ‘Elvis would’ve loved you,'" he recalled of his conversation with Priscilla, now 79. "Oh my God. I had to sing after that! But that was the best compliment I’ve ever received."

Related: Scotty McCreery Brings the Joy to New Album, Writing and Singing 'What Feels Good' (Exclusive)

Reflecting on his journey since the singing competition show — which he won at age 16 in 2011 — the "Five More Minutes" singer said it's "been a wild ride."

"I think if somebody would've told me back at 16 when I auditioned for the show, 'Hey, 13 years later you'll still be doing it. Writing country songs. Touring the country, the world, having fun' — I would've shook their hand in a heartbeat and said I'll take that deal. This is fun," he said.

Though he's grateful for his experience on the show — he also revealed why he would never be a judge on the show.

"Absolutely not. I don't want to do that. Do you?" he asked Hudson, who appeared on the show in 2004. "I know what it feels like being on the stage, being judged. I don't want to put that on somebody else."

Related: Jennifer Hudson and Scotty McCreery Reminisce on Their American Idol Experiences: 'We're All Bonded Together'

On May 10, McCreery released his fifth studio album Rise & Fall — and it reflects on how far he's come since he was a 16-year-old on Idol.

“Where I’m at, as a man and a husband and dad … I mean, life is just great,” he told PEOPLE at the time. “Career-wise, I’m not sure I’ve ever been at a more thankful place. I’m just enjoying where I’m at, and I think making this record, I allowed myself to try new things because of that.”

This time around, “I didn’t want to put up any guardrails — no rules,” he added. “Let’s just go write what feels good.”

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