IdolPhenomena

Tonight Idol begins the dreaded Hollywood Week. Step 1 Cut the 327 Hollywood Hopefuls down to 168. To survive these “second chances” these contestants will have to bring it as Randy said. I agree with Steven Tyler when he said, “I hoped they’ve done their homework.”

The first contestant featured in tonight’s episode is Brett Loewenstern. He does a beautiful version of Let It Be by the Beatles and sails on through to the next round. Following Brett is Rachel Zevita (L) who has chosen to sing a song I believe to be Duffy’s Warwick Avenue. Great job tonight Rachel you definitely deserve to be there this year. Thia Megia tackles Summertime – I still can’t believe such a big voice comes out of such a small girl. Then Casey Abrams does a brilliant Lullaby of Birdland. So far that’s several early favorites on to the next round. Would Victoria Huggins be among them?

Gracing the stage singing Julianne Hough’s My Hallelujah Song Victoria is all smiles but I feel like something is lacking from her performance. Her first audition for the judges was definitely better than this one. She delivers and average vocal compared to the rest of the candidates that have made it through to the next round. The judges are apparently not impressed and Victoria and her eleven bags are sent back home. Cut along with Victoria we say goodbye to Kate Anderson who auditioned in New Jersey and Maddie Penrose (R) who made it to Hollywood from the San Francisco auditions.- Maddie your awesome even thought you didn’t make it past the first Hollywood cut.

The next featured contestants are Paris Tassin and James Durbin who are here to seek a better life out for their children. Paris delivers an okay version of My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion while James showcases his incredible range with his version of the Beatles Oh Darling. Both are through to the next round. Up next are Stormi Henley and Lauren Alaina. Stormi sings Stay by Sugarland and Lauren chooses a classic, Unchained Melody. For Stormi I feel that this was better than her first audition, but she still doesn’t have the vocal skills to remain in the competition. Lauren sang beautifully tonight. She had great presence and a subtle power about her. We say goodbye to Stormi as Lauren and Aishya Alzaabi (L) move into the next round with Paris and James. Also joining them is Chris Medina who sang Jason Mraz’s You and I Both along with Aaron Sanders and Johnny Manuel.

Some other contestants that have made it through to the second round in Hollywood at this point in tonights episode are Jon Stills, Nick Talarico, Symphony Howlett and Jackie Wilson. We’ve also said goodbye to Wayne Smith, Shauntel Campos, and possibly Monique De Los Santos.

In the next sequence Angela Sue Cheslock expresses her nervousness as she steps out on to the stage. Kaylee Score’s stomach is in knots and her heart is pounding. Aly Jados is flabbergasted and apologizes and Victoria Bratton loses her train of thought.

Hollie Cavanagh (R) takes the Hollywood stage with amazing power and confidence tonight as she sings Miley Cyrus’ When I Look At You. Jacee Badeaux sings Bless The Broken Road by Rascal Flatts showcasing his incredibly innocent tenor voice. While Robbie Rosen displays his showmanship with Moody’s Mood For Love. They are followed by accountant Steve Beghun who tackles Michael Buble’s Haven’t Met You Yet not doing it great justice he is sent home. Also going home are early favorite Sarah Sellers and Jacquelyn Dupree. Latasha Booth, Ashika Sachdev, Emily Elgin, Heidi Khzam, Phoenix Rainbow, Drew Taylor and J’leigh Chauvin.

Ryan starts talking with some of the contestants back stage about nerves. Talia Londoner talks to him about having a stomachache. Corey Levoy tells Ryan that he’s been sick 3x’s today and Kenzi Lewis tells him that this is the biggest thing she’s ever done in her life. Nerves seem to be getting to a lot of people. There are contestants forgetting words like Stephanie Kristina Schimel (L), and some that have forgotten the melody like David Cohen. And for contestants AJ Melendez and James Ethan Clark a combination of the both.

The next set of featured contestants are exes Chelsee Oaks and Rob Bolin who have been paired to room with couple Nick Fink and Jacqueline Dunford. Rob sings a bluesy I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry while Chelsee tackles Patty Griffin’s Up To The Mountain. Next up is are new friends Jacqueline and Nick. Nick has chosen Paolo Nutini’s New Shoes and Jacqueline sings a soulful Bring It On Home. In my opiniong neither of their auditions are outstanding. At this point in the episode the judges have made a tough decision and have split the couple and Nick is sent home but first he attempts to redeem himself by singing his way out of the theater but unfortunately for him the answer is still no.

Scotty McCreery is the next to take the stage singing Josh Turner’s Your Man which is the same song he auditioned with in Milwaukee showcasing his amazing baritone voice. Jackie Wilson (R) and Jerome Bell also sing their songs that got them to Hollywood. Jackie singing Aretha Franklin’s Until You Come Back To Me and Jerome Marvin Gaye’s Let’s Get It On. All three move on to the next round.

The next two featured tonight are Travis Orlando and Tiffany Rios who both auditioned in NJ. Tiffany is up first singing Etta James’ All I Can Do Is Cry. Better than her audition that got her to Hollywood but slightly too dramatic but she definitely can sing no doubt about it. Travis sings Maroon 5’s This Love. Unfortunately this audition is not as good as his first and he is cut. With the last cut of one of our early favorites the following contestants are moving on to Hollywood Week’s Group Day: Clint Jun Gamboa, Julie Zorrilla, Stefano Langone, Jordan Dorsey, Naima Adedapo, Lauren Turner, The Guttierez Brothers, Raion Ramsey, Paul McDonald, Molly DeWolf Swenson, Emily Anne Reed, Ashley Sullivan, Ashthon Jones, Erika Schiff, and Sarina-Joi Crowe. Get ready everyone for Group Day next Wednesday night. Can’t wait to see who is featured next week!!!