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American Idol Open Auditions Continue

american idol

Starting off this week’s episode of American Idol, it wasn’t hard to get excited when the festivities started on the car ride to the studio. Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie sang ‘carpool karaoke,’ to Richie’s “Easy Like Sunday Morning.” How fun was that?!

The first American Idol contestant profile is Crystal Alicea, 20, from Winter Haven, Florida who talks tearfully about her lack of confidence and her past as a bully victim, but says she’s now ready to step out and get her confidence back. She is auditioning with “Lay Me Down,” by Sam Smith. What is this girl doing just signing karaoke? Her voice is beautiful and she made Katy Perry cry. “The future’s yours,” said Lionel Richie. She’s the first contestant off to Hollywood. I like Crystal. I just hope that she’s not too vulnerable during Hollywood week.

Comedy moment when Lionel tries to help Katy and ends up falling off his chair. While he goes to refresh, the younger children — Luke and Katy — add a whoopie cushion to his chair. Lionel jokingly feels like he’s babysitting.

The next country singer is 23-year-old Kristyn Harris, from McKinney, Texas who is a cattle farmer by day. She’s singing “I Want to Be a Cowboy Sweetheart.” She has an old-school country vibe and I’m not too sure she’d get far in this competition, especially once she started yodeling. There’s no doubt this girl can sing, but we’ll see what happens later in the competition. Kristyn is going to Hollywood.

Next up is the six-foot-five Jonny Brenns, 18, from St. Augustine, Florida who says that his parents don’t know he’s auditioning for American Idol. Sounds like the standard battle —  he wants to play music and doesn’t want to go to college, but his parents probably have other plans. Definitely has a Michael Buble vibe, but how many Michael Bubles do we need? He is good, but I’m hoping he’s not pigeon-holed into being called a copycat and he can branch out on his own. He’s on his way to Hollywood, even though Lionel Richie voted no. (BTW, drop the I’m-desperate-for-love act Katy PLEASE?!) Also, Jonny calls his parents who don’t really believe he’s hanging with the judges and hang up on him. Poor kid.

Auditioning with an original song “LA is Lonely,” Ricky Manning, 22, talks about the struggles to make it in Hollywood. Katy calls him ‘an exceptional songwriter.’ It’s so nice seeing emotion coming from the contestants who really see this as an opportunity.

The next American Idol montage is about original songs and how bad they are when Effie Passero, 26, from Modesto, California comes in to audition. I was nervous that this audition was going to be really bad as well, but Effie’s voice is stunning. I think she’s going to be someone to watch as a potential finalist, but keep in mind that Hollywood Week has always done in some of the best singers. All three judges gave her a standing ovation and, of course, she’s off to Hollywood.

Another competitor who has a thing for Katy Perry, Tyler “Cougar” Gordon, 25, from Athens, Illinois is ready to audition and talks about how high his voice is. He claims on the video we won’t forget about him — that’s not usually a good sign. He does the cover-the-ear thing and literally starts to scream. He has some good heavy metal vibe, but not sure. Lionel gets up and goes over to him and Tyler thinks that he’s coming over to congratulate him. Unfortunately, all of the judges say no and I’ll forget him an hour from now.

The shy Johnny White, 18, from Hickory, North Carolina, is up next and he is with his teacher who has helped to push him forward and believed in him. He’s singing “This is a Man’s World.” As soon as he starts to sing, buh-bye shy guy because this kid has pipes. Lionel wants him to pull it back a bit and try again. I like Lionel. “I want you to make love to us, but have some foreplay with us.” Um, awkward. Bringing in the teacher and showing his connection to her is amazing.

Caleb Lee Hutchinson, 18, from Dallas, Texas is the all-American country boy if there ever was one. He also has that deep low voice — not as deep as Scott McCreery’s though. He’s auditioning with “If It Hadn’t Been For Love.” Singing seems effortless for him and he has a nice sound. I can hear a little nervousness in him — it might be his vibrato — but he has a great country sound. All three judges vote Caleb through.

I don’t understand the next segment, but the judges gave gifts to each other, with Lionel Richie gives Katy and Luke afro wigs.

The next young lady, Shannon O’Hara, from Mooresville, North Carolina is a full-time nanny at only 17 years old, and tells her story that six months ago her dad lost his job and he was the primary income. They might lose their longtime home. Unfortunately, a golden ticket wouldn’t change her immediate financial issues, but it may help her family long-term if she gets through. She’s auditioned with Adele’s “When We Were Young.” She has a great voice and she seems very down to earth. I think she might be a dark horse.

Amelia Hammer Harris, 26 from Lexington, Kentucky comes from a musical family (her dad, Jack Hammer, wrote “Yakity Yak Don’t Talk Back,” and “Great Balls of Fire.” She met Jack when she was 16 years old and she talks about her anger toward him for not being in her life. She finally let the anger go and got closer to him when he was older and suffering from dementia. She’s auditioning with “Gimme Shelter.” She has a great soulful sound to her voice and seems to be one of these “old souls.” Lionel says she has a sultry voice. Katy calls her top 10 material. Of course, she is through to Hollywood.

The next segment is on first impressions with some contestants bringing Katy flowers and others complimenting the judges. One even had a tattoo of Katy.

Seventeen-year-old twins, Julian and Milo Sposato, from Malibu, California are auditioning next, but first a round of Twintuition! Okay, back to the auditions. They are singing “Runaway Baby” by Bruno Mars. First to sing is Julian and he’s really good. Milo comes in at parts and he can also sing. Great job boys.

Taking me back to Taylor Hicks’ audition of the same song is Les Greene, 27, from Baltimore, Maryland singing Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come.” He gets through but the judges caution him that his rough singing can damage his voice in the long run. All three judges say yes to Hollywood.

The final contestant for the night is Maddie Zahm, a very bubbly 19-years-old from Boise, Idaho, who works with special needs kids — amazing — but she also talks about how she gained 100 pounds in one year from a hormone imbalance. She lost confidence and friends and music for awhile. She met Marcus, a young man with Down Syndrome — um, excuse me, I’ll continue writing after I stop crying.

Okay, I’m back. Marcus, now sitting with the judges, is her best friend. Okay, remember how I talked about a dark horse. Well forget dark horse, this girl is phenomenal and is right in the lead. She sings so easily it’s almost not fair.

Have you noticed that when Luke Bryan gets happy about a contestant he can’t control himself and does fist pumps? It’s amusing.

Do I have to tell you she’s off to Hollywood? I hope Markus is too.

Written by Lisa Iannucci

Lisa Iannucci has been interviewing professional athletes and Olympians, sports writers and film/tv personalities for more than a decade. Her book, A Film & TV Lover's Travel Guide is now available: https://www.amazon.com/Location-Film-Lovers-Travel-Guide/dp/149303085X

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