American Idol S15 Hollywood Week Round 1

3 02 2016

At the end of the first round, half of the 190 contestants will be going home. For the next two days, they will come up in lines of 10 and give it their best shot. After every one is finished singing, they will send some home and some through. Jordan Sasser starts this off. Dalton Rapattoni and Jaci Butler are also in this first group of contestants. They have known each other since they were 11. Evan Cole and Cameron Ingham are going home and the rest of the line get through to the next round.

The second line includes Jenn Blosil, Thomas Stringfellow, and Olivia Rox who were among the people going through. I did see Zach Person from Houston in that group as well.

Highlighted people in the third line included Jessica Cabral along with Melanie Tierce (who didn’t sound as good as her audition—she was off key) and Sonika Vaid (the girl’s audition I missed because my Directv went out). Someone named Nikki and Melanie Tierce were going home from this line.

La’Porsha Renae is featured in the next segment doing Katy Perry’s “Roar.” She is going through as were many people in her line (faces I remember but the names to the faces I don’t).

In the next line are Harrison Cohen (not a fan of his song this time), Daniel Farmer (it wasn’t great), and Manny Torres (the best out of the three guys) all highlighted showing them making moves on the ladies. But do they have the moves to get to the next round? Harrison Cohen and Vinnie Hines along with two women did not make it through to the next round.

The final contestants of day one include Lee Jean (sounded great), Melany Huber (sounded great), and Shelbie Z (sounded great). For some reason, the judges did not think Melany Huber’s performance was strong enough and she is being sent home.

The first line includes fish-out-of-water Jeneve Rose Mitchell who is used to no people and no lights. Hollywood has been quite a shock for her (an enjoyable one, but nonetheless a shock). She is going through but I am unclear if the rest of her line was cut.

Next line is Gianna Isabella and Tristan McIntosh. Someone named Rachel did not make it through but the rest of the back line including Gianna and Tristan are through.

Kyrsti Jewel and Michelle Marie are in a competition on who is the biggest Idol fan. The Hollywood week round happens to be her 16th birthday. I didn’t like Michelle’s performance. The competition is too stiff this year. Kyrsti didn’t sound good at all. It sounded like she was screaming and she was off key during much of it. Cameron Richard, Maio, and Michelle are called to the front row and the front row goes through to the next round.

Kerry Courtney, Brook Sample, Usen Isong, Reanna Molinaro, Ethan Kuntz and Jason Dillon who did very well during auditions but didn’t do that great in Hollywood.

The final line of 10 ever for Idol ever Trent Harmon (who was diagnosed with mono and was told he had to go rest). I don’t think Trent understands how difficult getting over mono is. It really does require that you rest and it is contagious so he shouldn’t be there. Poh Scott was also in this line but I didn’t like her as much as I did at her audition. Emily Brooke is also in the line. She was cut in the top 48 in season 14. I really can’t listen to her. It’s just a personal sensitivity. Kyle, Luke Mann, Jocelyn all step forward and they are through to the next round. And then they surprise the contestants and tell them the back row is also going through.

Next up: Group rounds!





American Idol S15 Little Rock Auditions

12 01 2016

Kris Allen is in the crowd helping to get some people through to the next round.

Hoping to take the spot of the final American Idol is young 15-year-old Cameron Richard (pronounced Re-shard) from Louisiana who is singing “Give Me Love” by Ed Sheeran. I wonder what his voice is going to sound like when it breaks in puberty. He has a lot of talented for his young 15 years of age. Jennifer loved his voice and his passion when he sings. Harry said it is great to hear someone from Louisiana sing and that he looks like a young Paul McCartney. Harry thought he had a wonderful gift, he enjoyed it very much, and he gives him a yes. Jennifer is a yes. Keith just says “yes.”

Twenty-four-year-old student Daniel Farmer is in love with J-Lo. He sings D’Angelo “How Does It Feel?” for his audition. I was expecting this to be a disaster but he has a beautiful voice coupled with a magnetic personality. He would be a lot of fun in the top 12. Jennifer loves his voice; he is funny and sexy and all the confidence in that. It’s an attractive quality. Harry respects the effort of the runs but if he is going to do it, nail them all. Keith further explained that it’s not let the chill factor get in the way of what he is trying to do, but agreed he had a beautiful voice. He is through to Hollywood.

A vocal coach from The School of Rock in Dallas Texas walked into the audition and my heart went a-flutter. This young man has beautiful eyes and a commanding presence. Hopefully the talent is there as well. Dalton Rapattoni, age 19, has superstar in his future. His interpretation of the song from Phantom of the Opera was riveting. Harry really dug the music. Jennifer said he is making something beautiful, unique and special. She liked it and liked his voice. Keith is looking for someone who can make their own artistic contribution to the competition and that is exactly what he did.   He is through to Hollywood. Afterwards, Keith says, “top 12.” Harry tells the other judges that his was one of the favorite auditions they have ever done just because he took something and sang it like he wanted to sing it. Keith said there is no one in that lane yet. Harry thought that guy was pretty (talking about his eyes).

La’Porsha Renae, age 22, from Mississippi, brought herself and her adorable little baby girl in for her audition to sing “Creep” by Radiohead. She has fantastic vocal control. I love how she changed the song to something I have never heard before. I could listen to her all day. Major goosebumps.   Keith said he loves hearing a fresh take on a song because for him it gives a whole different perspective on the lyric. He loved it. Harry loved it too. He thought she was an assassin with the runs. Jennifer said we loved it a lot, and she gives the ticket to her baby daughter, who Jennifer was holding, to give to La’Porsha.

The two country boys had no problem with Maddie McAllister’s state fair prized chicken, but Bronx girl Jennifer wanted to be on the other side of the room (I’m with you J-Lo). She is singing “Cowboy Casanova” by Carrie Underwood. She has a nice voice but she doesn’t have much stage presence. Harry thought she is adorable. She sounds so young. He thinks it is the type of voice and type of presentation that is going to take a couple of years to come into its own. Jennifer said she is adorable but she is not ready. Keith feels the same way.

Trent Harmon is ready to leave the farm in Mississippi because he realizes that singing to cows is not doing anything to advance his career.   He chose “Unaware” by Allen Stone to show off his talents. He is phenomenal. That’s crazy good. And I hate country music. Jennifer was so blown away. He has a lot of soul and dynamics. Harry said bar none his favorite audition since they started.   He is absolutely going to Hollywood.

Tristan McIntosh is a 15-year-old student missing her mom while she is serving our country over in the Middle East. She chose “Why Baby Why” by Mickey Guyton for her audition. Tristan looks like a star. I love her. She does not sound like a 15-year-old. Goosebumps. Oh my God—she is so talented. Jennifer got the goosebumps. Harry said he likes her a lot. She has a lot going on. Jennifer is bursting because she sees in her something very, very special. She reminds her of Alicia Keys in that her heart is beautiful and special. Keith also thinks that she has so many things that are all coming together. Harry read her an email that her mother wrote for her that morning. Keith was crying. Jennifer was crying. And of course, in pops her mom. Apparently her family in the holding room didn’t know she was coming either. Mom announces to her she is going to Hollywood. And I am crying like a baby.

Next up: San Francisco