So far, we’ve seen a lot of great talent out there. And the judges are a riot together. The Austin auditions continue with Jesse Roach, a 27-year-old musician from Cypress Texas (next to my town). I really like her voice even though I don’t like country music. It is quite unique. Jennifer loves her. Keith said she has soul. Harry was not distracted by her rasp (like other people’s rasps). Three yeses.
Steven Curd, age 18, a clerk from San Antonio. He, too, has a unique voice. Anna Melvin, age 22, a waitress from Memphis, tried to sing Wrecking Ball. I disliked it very much. Ryan Clark, a 22-year-old bartender from San Marcos, was okay. Not sure if his voice was unique but that is a hard note combination to get without being sharp or flat. Keith loved them all. All three are through.
Jamiah Malik, age 15, a student from San Antonio, chose to sing an original. His friend, Quiandra Boston-Pearsall, a 17-year-old student from Adkins, Texas, also came to try out. They are interesting but are they good enough? I am not 100% convinced. Quiandra is through to the next round. I love Jamiah’s attitude about not being able to go through this year. Attitude in this life is everything.
Megan Miller, age 23, a media consultant, from Ethel, LA, chose to sing “Last Name” by Carrie Underwood. She showed some voice control, but some of sounded like yelling to me. My eardrums kind of retracted to protect themselves. I am not sure about her honestly. Harry said he is worried about when her voice is going to blow out while Jennifer liked the same qualities. Keith is worried about the audience listening to it. (Thank you Keith). Nevertheless, she received three yeses.
Grace Anne Field, age 27, a restaurant pianist from Austin, Texas. Absolutely NOT!!!! Harry is nice saying American Idol may not be the right type of competition for her. It was frenetic and all over the place. Jennifer said the vibrato was a little bit out of control. Keith just said, “It’s not there yet”.
Another pairing. Austin Alvarez, a 26-year-old make-up artist from Austin and Eric Wood, age 28, an old-field worker from Higginson, AR. I preferred Eric in this combination. Both are through.
Spencer Lloyd is a 19-year-old worship leader from Bryant, AR. Hello cutie pie! And you have a voice that matches. I had goosebumps although he did mess up on the last notes. Harry thinks he is an okay singer. Keith said entertaining is about engaging people and he totally did that. Three yeses although Harry struggled with his yes.
Marlon Lindsey waited 8-9 years now to try out. He was in the Army for a while but now is a 27-year-old student from Beaumont, Texas. I was not expecting the voice that came out (in a good way) singing Sam Cooke’s, “A Change is Gonna Come.” He is through to Hollywood.
Get suspender-wearer off the stage. Harry proves that Harry is funnier than this 28-year-old “actor”. Harry says, “Is this America’s Got Talent?” to the laughs of the production staff. Rick Rowling sucks as an actor as well as a singer as well as a comedian if that was his angle. Harry wants him gone; me, too!
The next contestant, T.K. Hash, does an awesome Obama imitation, a service manager hailing from Charlotte, North Carolina. He sings Fallout Boy’s “I Know What Your Songs Did In The Dark).” OH NO!!! That is a horrible song to audition with without music to accompany you. I think he would have done better on a different song. Keith loved it. Jennifer said there was something there that made them all perk up. Harry said he wouldn’t say he was the greatest singer he has ever heard, but he is soooo like-able it is a yes for him too.
McKenna Dennis is up for the hashtag game. Seventy-five percent voted #IdolHollywood versus 25% #IdolHome. And she indeed made it through.
Nikki McKibbin, who placed 3rd on the first season on Idol, had a son. Tristen Langley, age 15, is a student from Kennedale, Texas. He is really good. I like his smile. Harry thinks if the story of second-generation idol wasn’t there, he would say no. Jennifer totally disagrees. It was not blow-you-away, but he has a really good voice. Keith gave him some vocal tips to save his voice. Jennifer said yes, Harry said no but Keith said yes. (Harry has guts!)
A collage of performers is up next. Taylor Stearns, a 21-year-old student from Round Rock, Texas (I did not think she was good enough) got a yes from the judges along with several other unidentified people, but also some no’s in the bunch too.
LJ Hernandez is a 23-year-old farmer from Goliad, Texas whose ex-fiancée said did not have the talent, the skill or the will or charisma. I agree with her. His family needs to stop “supporting” this. They are enabling him.
John Fox, a 20-year-old, Magnolia, Texas, (another town in my backyard). He is a worship leader. There are a lot of great worship leaders with really great voices in Texas! I got goosebumps. Three yeses.
San Francisco
Rachel Rolleri, a 17-year-old student from Danville, CA. Her mom loves Keith Urban. I got goosebumps with her immediately (and again I am not a big country music fan). Got a little crack in her voice. Harry thinks she has an understated confidence. Three yeses.
Athena Williford, a 20-year-old student from Stockton, CA. She was okay. Demi Wolf, a 17-year-old student from Palo Alto, CA, a former junior Olympian, was again just okay. MK Nobilette, a 20-year-old student from San Francisco, CA, was probably the most unique out of the three. All three are yeses.
Making a unique entrance was Emmanuel Zidor, a 24-year-old airline ramp agent from Miami, Florida. I liked what he did with his song after he was asked to sing something else. It was very controlled. Jennifer thought it was beautiful. He told his teacher that he wanted to be on American Idol and that he wanted to win. The teacher said, “You will never be on that show, you can’t even sing.” Harry told him he has three music teachers up here and what do you think all three music teachers are going to tell you? YES! If his teacher told him that, that teacher needs to retire.
Three more unnamed contestants make it through and then Samuel Ramsey, a 24-year-old student from Temple Hills, MD sang. Harry voted no (payback for him using the word “jazzy”?). The other two did not vote (at least on camera).
Caitlin Johnson, a 15-year-old student (what is it with all these students?) from North Plains, OR, was okay in some parts and it was strange in other parts. Harry does not think she is ready. Jennifer thinks she is talented, but not perfect. Keith loved it and says yes. Jennifer gives her one more chance and will see her in Hollywood.
The enthusiastic Ronald Reed, a 23-year-old cook has big ambitions. Can he sing? Well he keeps playing guitar. He cannot sing and his facial expressions are creeping me out. He squeals when Jennifer called him sweetie. Keith wanted his vocals to be where his personality is but it was not. Harry tried to explain the difference between subjective and objective. Ronald looks shocked! He goes out and cries like a crushed child to his family and friends. Ryan tells him to be strong. He says he is coming back every year. I have no doubt that if Ronald harnesses his outlook into a different career path he will shine just like a star and perhaps do greater things for the world.
David Luning, a 26-year-old musician from Forestville, CA, wants to sing an original and it almost looks like Jennifer is bracing herself for something awful. Surprise! Not awful! He has a very unique voice. Jennifer says she loves it before he is even done. Keith is on the fence. On one hand he is original but on the other hand he would get crushed (presumably because of the choices of songs available?). Harry said it was interesting but may be too “downer” for Idol. Jennifer said yes. But Keith and Harry? Not sure, but he got at least one of them to make it to Hollywood.
Enter the twins! Selena Moreno, a 22-year-old hostess from Sacramento, sings Janis Joplin’s “Try”. It is okay. Sierra Moreno, a 22-year-old hostess, also from Sacramento. I liked her voice better. Harry says they won’t make it as a set. For Keith he liked Selena’s voice better but Sierra’s performance better. All three say yes to Selena. Jennifer said yes to Sierra but Keith and Harry said no.
Then a montage of no.
Look who it is!!!!! Briana Oakley is back! She was from last season and got cut during Hollywood week. And I still adore her! Harry felt like she is proud to sing. Goosebumps!
An unemployed Rico Perkins from Little Rock, AR wants a golden ticket. He even sings it. Aranesa Turner, a 20-year-old student from Sacramento. Both are going to Hollywood.
Gaddy Basil Foster, a 26-year-old server from Columbia, SC should stick to working out. I bet he would make a great fitness coach. Jennifer tried hard not to laugh.
Jennifer and Keith should have a baby-counting contest. Who says the word “baby” more?
Oh please no. Adam Roth is a sound healer for a living. I believe in the power of music to heal but….does his voice help or hurt? His vibrato bothers me and would not be relaxing to me. Harry got his chakra blown. Keith is baffled because his voice was kind of schizophrenic. Jennifer wondered if he was forcing it–was it fake? Harry says no. Jennifer says yes. Keith says yes.
The Count
19 from Sacramento
14 more in Austin
33 new Hollywood contestants from today’s show
Plus 46 from Wednesday night
79 total so far.
Next up: Detroit
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