Pbmom's Blog

That was such a cute opening with Ryan Seacrest and his mom. And changes already? Can Harry Connick, Jr. judge just as well from the left of the panel as on the right? Time will tell.

Majesty Rose has a name that sounds already like a star. She is a 21-year-old preschool teacher from Goldsboro, North Carolina. I loved her. I had goosebumps. It was very quiet but beautiful. Harry thought it was elegant in a refreshing way. Jennifer said it was effortless. Keith said she pulled him in. Going to Hollywood.

Jesse Cline, a 19-year-old gas station attendant from Ashland, Kentucky, drove straight through to the audition. I was very surprised. I wasn’t expecting that voice. Harry said to Keith that he was the ultimate Cinderella. I loved it. He is through to Hollywood.

Alyson Ragona with pink hair and a ukulele is a 19-year-old sales associate from Eldridge, Iowa and a definite no for me. She was a no for the judges, too.

Chris Medina? No, not THAT Chris Medina from 2011. And his dog, Bubbie? Harry adopts the dog. He is a 23-year-old in the Army National Guard. I was not sure at first, but then I perked up. Harry: “I believe I have a wet spot on my pants.” Chris: “From the DOG???” Harry: “No…dog’s been great. This is a personal matter.” I was laughing so hard. There are three yeses for Chris but Harry keeps the dog. What? He wants to shed the Harsh Harry image? What “Harsh Harry” image? He tells Chris to bring the dog to Hollywood. Chris says he isn’t sure that is allowed but if the dog is then he will.

Next collage of two individuals: Kristen O’Connor, a 24-year-old nurse tech from Sebastian, Florida. She had a beautiful voice. Emily Piriz is a 17-year-old student from Orlando, Florida. I liked it. Both are given yeses to Hollywood.

Ben Briley, nicknamed Brother Gumbo by the judges, is a 24-year-old server from Gallatin, Tennessee. His voice is nice but I do not like country music. I thought it was odd because he brought a guitar but then did not use it. Three yeses.

Nica Nashae, a 24-year-old student from Milledgeville, Georgia has a nice voice, but will I remember her? I don’t know. Three yeses

Jordan Brisbane says he has what it takes to shut the American Idol series down. Oh boy. This is not going to end well. He is an adorable 15-year-old student and cook from Savannah, Georgia, but a singer? I hope he cooks better than he sings. But he gets three yeses.

Sam Burchfield, a 21-year-old student, from Athens, Georgia made me smile and laugh. It is a yes for me. Jennifer thought it was original. Keith loved the voice. Harry thought there was a weird impediment and votes no, but he is through to Hollywood.

Endless jokes are made about Slapout, Alabama, but Jessica Meuse, a 22-year-old student, proves she is just as unique as the name of the town. She has this gritty rocker sound with her original song. I loved her. The right shoulder is a bit annoying and distracting, but hopeful she can work that out. Three yeses.

For the segment of #IdolHollywood or #IdolHome on Twitter, I felt this contestant was more suited towards Broadway. Fifty-three percent thought Hollywood and 47% thought home.

I hope Travis Hunter-Brown, a 26-year-old barista from St. Petersburg, Florida makes better coffee.

Jennifer got goosies with this Lauren Ogburn‘s performance. I thought it was a good singing voice for pleasure but not for Idol. She is a 19-year-old receptionist from Lake City, Florida. She gets three yeses, but Harry tells her to tone down the dressing statement.

This year marks the return of two season 11 contestants, Caleb Johnson from Asheville, NC, and Neco Starr from Atlanta. I like both their voices. Three yeses for Caleb. Two yeses from the boys for Neco.

There are so many people who can wear purple lipstick and I am envious of Bria Anai, a 15-year-old student from Lithonia, Georgia. She calls her stage mom her “mom-ager” and Harry quips, “You should meet her da-gent.!” Harry is just so funny. I had goosebumps from her voice in 3 seconds. Jennifer thought it was amazing. Harry thought it was impossible. Three yeses.

Forty-four people got tickets in Atlanta plus the 119 from other auditions brings the total thus far to 163 golden tickets.

Next up: Salt Lake City