American Idol (2002–…): Season 18, Episode 1 - 301 (Auditions) - full transcript

The winner of
"American Idol" is...

...Laine Hardy!

...another "Idol" champion
was crowned

as this bayou boy
became the latest

to enter "Idol's"
rich legacy of stars

with a career
that's taken off.

But he wasn't the only one
from last season

to make an impact...

My name's Alejandro.

♪ Hold me closer
to your fantasy ♪

...as we met
a 24‐year‐old dishwasher



from Pomona, California.
♪ Love and need ♪

I just feel like I'm in
the presence of greatness.

Alejandro Aranda's audition was
a once‐in‐a‐lifetime moment...

...that set a course
for an incredible trajectory.

I think what
we're watching right now

is the beginning of that phrase
"a star is born."

Alejandro Aranda is ready
to take his show on the road.

The singer‐songwriter has
announced he is going on tour.

Alejandro, AKA Scarypoolparty,

is playing
his first sold‐out tour.

Here with his song
"Millennial Love,"

Scarypoolparty!

Never in a million years thought

anybody would ever
sing back my lyrics.



♪ This millennial love
is something else ♪

And his impact on "Idol's"
new season is a game‐changer.

♪ Loving you ♪

Alejandro has opened
a whole nother level of talent

coming in and trying out.

Hey!

I'm actually a huge fan
of Alejandro.

We are, too.

Alejandro, he really
brought gravitas.

I think you're Top 5.

Yeah!!     Yeah!!
Yeah!!                    Yeah!!

All artists of different genre
come here, and they trust us.

I get really insecure because I
don't look like the other girls.

I couldn't listen to music
growing up because,

where I come from,
music is prohibited.

Addiction
is one of the hardest things

I've ever seen in my life
to defeat.

I believe in you.
We believe in you.

Thank you.
♪ You can go your own way ♪

These people come from the nooks
and the crannies of America.

This is in
the middle of Kansas.

That's what we want.

I think he might be
the biggest star

we've ever had
on "American Idol."

Oh!
♪ Go your own way ♪

I got chills
in my cheekbones.

There are no ideas of what
"American Idol" used to be.

This is a whole new
playing field.

Alright, well,
this is a first.

You want to sing
for your life?

Yes.

Let's go sing in the streets
right now.

This is the first audition
outside, on a boat.

♪ You can go your own way ♪

It's exciting, it's new,
it's fresh.

♪ Go your own way ♪
So, we heard a rumor that you
have no idea who we are.

What song do I sing?

Is "Chandelier" one?

Who's he?

I'm stumped.

Oh!

I know! That's the thing!
That's the thing!

You are the definition
of this show!

It's amazing! This is,
like, the best day ever!

Ah. You are why I signed up
to do this job.

You're going to Hollywood!

♪ Another lonely day ♪
Yes!

There's no limitations
to what these kids can do...

♪ You can go your own way ♪
...and it's about them.

Thank you!
It's the great American dream,

and that is why "American Idol"
is so important.

He has got me tore up.

Come on, boy. Come on.
Whoo! Man!

We believe in you.
America believes in you.

What a great shot
from where you started.

♪ You can go your own way ♪

Congratulations,
you made it to "American Idol."

♪ Go your own way ♪

♪ Turn your magic on ♪

♪ To me she'd say ♪
We finally made it!
Oh, my gosh, guys, let's go!

♪ Everything you want's
a dream away ♪

Here is your official
"American Idol" sticker.

♪ We are legends ♪

♪ Every day ♪

You know what?
This is amazing.

I mean,
I have to tell you,

it's almost like,
"Did we ever leave?"

I know.
It feels like we did not.

It's season 3,
and we killed it last year.

We crushed it last year.
I know, but we cannot

rest on the laurels
of our second season.

Oh, no.
We've got a new standard.

Let's see if there's
any talent left.

Douglas?

Okay, bro, say hi
to the judges.

There they are.

♪ Whoo‐hoo, whoo‐hoo ♪

♪ Whoo‐hoo, whoo‐hoo ♪
Hey.

How's it going?
Well, welcome to the show.

Tell us who you are and
where you're from, your age.

My name is Douglas Kiker.
I am 27 years old.

And I live in Mobile, Alabama,
in the Grand Bay area.

Mobile, ah.

You guys are really pretty.

Oh, man.
Thanks, man.

What?
I'm sorry.

Thank you very much.
We'll take that.

We don't wake up this way...

...but, uh, Lionel is
frozen this way.

I'm frozen.
I can dig it.

And what do you do?
What's going on?

I'm a garbage man.

I work on the back
of a garbage truck.

So what kind of performing
experience do you have?

I don't have any.

I sing on the back of
the garbage truck. That's it.

Have you ever fallen off
the back of the garbage truck?

I've come close,
but I ain't gonna lie to you,

when I got a grip,
I ain't letting go.

Come here real quick.

Let me see your calluses
on your hands.

Alright.

This is what a real man's hands
feel like, Katy.

Looky there.

I've been lotioning 'em up,
too, man...

...trying to make 'em
look a little softer, too.

Wait, wait, wait,
wait, wait.

Aah!
No, I ain't squeezing hard.

I'm just kidding.
Oh, you know that.

So you have
no experience whatsoever?

None whatsoever.

If I said to you
"warming up and practicing,"

you don't know anything
about it.

You just hit it like...

I just hit what you
tell me to do.

I want him to go out
right now...

Okay.
...warm up,

and then you come back
and you get it together, okay?

I‐I wouldn't know how.
Listen to me.

No, no, Ryan is
right outside that door.

You just go
outside that door,

and he'll show you
exactly how to warm up.

Alright.

♪♪

Alright.

How did it go?

Uh, he told me
to warm up real quick.

I didn't even sing.

To warm up?
Yeah.

Oh,
you didn't sing at all?

I don't know what I'm gonna ‐‐
how I'm gonna warm up.

Oh, I'll take you ‐‐
I'll teach you how to warm up.

Come ‐‐ Come with me.
We'll warm you up.

It's hot outside.
Let's go warm up.

Come on down.
Alright.

♪♪

We'll take you around the block,
get you all warmed up.

Yeah, they don't want you
coming in there cold.

Okay.

How are you guys?
Hi.

How you doing?
My name is Ryan.

I'm the host of
"American Idol."

Douglas is about to
audition for the judges,

and they wanted him
to get warmed up,

and he told me he hasn't
really had a chance

to sing in front
of people ever.

So you're gonna be
his first audience,

if that's alright.
‐Yeah.

Let's see how he does.

Let's get it done.
Let's get it going.

Let me, uh...

Yeah, I'm gonna
come on with it.

Alright.

Is he good?
We don't know.

Oh.
♪ There's no business ♪

♪ Like show business,
like no business I know ♪

Next.

Hi!
How are you?

How are you?
I'm great. How are you?

We're good.

Tell us who you are,
where you're from.

My name is Camryn Leigh Smith.
I'm from Acworth, Georgia.

And, um, tell us a little
about yourself.

Well, I'm 16 years old.

Um, I grew up in church,
and I'm a worship leader.

What music do you
typically sing?

I'd say,
mostly worship stuff.

Okay.
But outside of church,
it's more secular, so...

Secular?
I was just saying that, right?

Oh, girl, I know exactly
what you're talking about.

Soon, when you go to Hollywood,
everything is secular.

Oh, God, just hang on.

Got to hold on
to your principles.

What are you singing
today?

"Big White Room"
by Jessie J.

Okay.
Very good.

Yeah.
Wow. Ooh.

♪♪

♪ Sitting in a big white room
alone ♪

♪ Tilt my head back ♪

♪ Feel the tears fall ♪

♪ Do‐o‐o‐wn ♪

Whoo.
What?

Hey.

♪ Close my eyes
to see in the dark ♪

♪ I feel young, broken ♪

♪ So, so scared ♪

♪ I don't want to be here
anymore ♪

♪ I want to be somewhere else ♪

♪ Normal and free ♪

♪ Like I used to be ♪

♪ Oh, oh ♪

♪ I'm going crazy ♪

♪ I'm losing my mind ♪

♪ I'm going crazy ♪

♪ In this big white room
of mine ♪

♪ Everybody's looking at me ♪

♪ Everybody's
staring at me ♪

♪ What do I do no‐o‐o‐w? ♪

♪ Smile ♪

♪ Yea‐a‐a‐a‐h ♪

♪ Ooh, yeah ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah ♪
Hmm. Wow.

♪ Whoa, oh, oh, oh,
whoa, yeah ♪

Oh, my gosh.

Thank you.

Like...

Am I right on that?
Yeah.

A little.

I've seen, like, pictures of you
when you were young.

Like, you ‐‐
When I was young?!

God, you were so close,
you were so ‐‐

Chill out!

You were so close,
Luke.

Next time you see me,
I'll be even younger.

Camryn, when you dug into
that note towards the end,

it gave me hope

for the third season of
"American Idol."

Ah.

Way to go, dude.
Way to go, dude.

Way to go.
It gave me hope again.

Every once in a while,
something just shocks us

into believing

that there is something
better than last season.

Wow.
I just think the fact

that it's just so natural
and easy for you...

Yeah.
...at this age is
just remarkable.

So I'm a big‐time yes.

♪ Thank God for you ♪

I'm a big‐time yes.

I stand up.
You're going to Hollywood.

Thank you so much.
Thank you so much.

Right?
No, thank you so much.

You are our hope
for our reputation.

Thank you.

So nice to meet you all.
Great job.

Thank you.
Great job, okay?

Thank you so much.
We'll see more of you.

Bye.
See you in Hollywood.

Bye! Bye, guys!

My audition went amazing.

I got a standing ovation
from Katy Perry.

Well, another lost angel
joins the flock.

Yeah!

Do you think he's ready
to go see the judges now?

Good, let's go.
Well, y'all got me ‐‐

Ooh,
y'all have my nerves up!

I'm going to Hollywood!

Is that in ‐‐ Where is it?
Is that in, like, California?

Like, L. A.?

♪ Hold up, whoa‐oh‐oh ♪

We got the blood flowing
on Douglas here.

♪ Ooh ♪

♪ Hold up,
there must be a new way ♪

♪ Wait up,
how long do we stand here? ♪

Let's start over again.
Welcome to the show.

♪ We don't need a sign
to run away ♪
Alright.

Don't go away.
More "Idol" in 60.

♪ We don't need a reason
to make a change ♪

♪♪

Is he good?
We don't know.

♪♪

We got the blood flowing
on Douglas here.

Alright!

I think we warmed up
the muscles on Douglas

outside just now.

He got positive reviews,
though.

Alright.
He did?

I was crying, man.

Y'all outdid yourself
before we began.

That's an experience.
He's got some soul.

You needed to get the jitters
out before you got here.

Let's start over again.
Welcome to the show.

My name is Doug Kiker.
I'm 27 years old.

I live in Mobile, Alabama,
in the Grand Bay area.

So how much experience
do you have?

I have some experience now.

There you go!
Right answer!

Yeah, I'll tell you.

And more importantly, why are
you auditioning for us today?

For my 2‐year‐old daughter,
Elianna Elizabeth Kiker.

I'm trying to show her, like,
if you put your mind to it,

there's nothing you can't do.

I'm sorry,
you're really pretty.

I'm just trying
not to look at you.

I'm ‐‐ I'm sorry.

Aww.

Okay.

Take a deep breath
and give it to us.

Alright.

♪ I set out on a narrow way ♪

♪ Many years ago ♪

♪ Hoping I would find
true love ♪

♪ Along the broken road ♪

♪ But I got lost a time or two ♪

♪ Wiped my brow,
kept pushing through ♪

♪ I couldn't see
how every sign ♪

♪ Pointed straight to you ♪

Thank you so much.

Yeah, buddy.

I want to hear
a little bit more.

Show us your range.

Alright. I don't know
what that is, but...

I love you.
I'm sorry.

Show us what you can do
with your voice.

I'm still trying to
figure that out, too.

Alright, um...

Hold on. Hold on.

You got some ‐‐ Whoo!

Help is on the way.

I don't know how
to go along with that.

I can try, though.

♪♪

♪ I set out ♪

Can you hit that note?
I can try.

♪ I set out
on a narrow... ♪

♪ I set out
on a narrow way ♪

♪ Many... ♪
♪ Years ago ♪

That was awesome.

♪ Hoping I would find
true love ♪

♪ Along the broken road ♪

♪ But I got lost...♪
♪ But I got lost
a time or two ♪

♪ Wiped my brow,
kept pushing through ♪

♪ I couldn't see
how every sign ♪

♪ Pointed straight to you ♪

♪ That every, every ♪

♪ Every long‐lost dream ♪

♪ Lead me
to where you are ♪

Ah.
♪ Others who broke my heart ♪

♪ They were like
northern stars ♪

There it is.
Come on, now!

There's so much in there.
I don't know what to do.

Thank you so much.

Whoo!

Dude.

I'm a huge fan of all three
of y'all, there, regardless.

Well,
we're a huge fan of you.

That was amazing.

I'm a fan of
the garbage man.

Doug, do you understand
what you just did?

Not really.

That's the beauty of it!

For a man who does not know
what his voice can do,

for a man who
does not have an idea

about what key
he's singing in,

for a man who has no idea
who the heck he can be,

he's here to do one thing ‐‐

he's trying to show his daughter
that he's somebody.

That's real.

Now, I don't know
about you guys,

but I want us all to let you
know you're a hell of a man.

Whew!

I want us ‐‐
Come here.

♪ There's a darkness upon me
that's flooded in light ♪

You know, you guys
are awesome, man.

I want you to come
get this ticket.

Can I say this now?

All of us?

You're going to Hollywood.

‐Thank you.
‐Yeah.

‐Whew!
‐Congratulations, man.

♪ One day I could see it ♪

Now each one of us is gonna
give you a hug.

Yeah.
Appreciate that, man.

I'm a little sweaty
from all that work.

That's alright.
That's alright, man.

♪ Demanded that
somebody free it ♪

A little easier than the
garbage truck, though, right?

You need your bag popped
anytime, I got you.

I got you.

Whatever you need.

Listen. You just stay who you
are and you're gonna go so far.
Yeah.

And you're gonna
take your daughter with you

to all the highest heights.
Thank you so much.

Ryan, will you take that guy
before I start crying?

We're proud of you.
I love this show.

You got a lot more performances
coming your way, my friend.

Thank you, guys.
Thank you, judges.

Alright, man.

Hey, Doug.
Yeah, huh?

That wasn't garbage.
It was greatness.

I appreciate y'all,
for real, man.

Oh!

Hey, baby, you know,
I already made it.

♪ There was a dream ♪

♪ One day I could see it ♪

Congratulations.

Douglas is going
to Hollywood!

Whoo! I made it!

I'm going to Hollywood!
I can't believe it!

Congratulations, man!
What a day, bro!

Oh, my God.
Oh, my God.

Man.
Katy Perry, Luke Bryan,
Lionel Richie!

They just welcomed me
with open arms.

♪ There's a darkness upon you
that's flooded in light ♪
A garbage man, sweat and all.

The things these hands
have seen.

♪ And in the fine print ♪
Damn!

♪ They tell you
what's wrong and what's right ♪
And they shook my hand
and hugged on me,

made me feel like ‐‐
like one of them.

♪ There's a darkness upon me
that's flooded in light ♪

It proves,
if you believe in yourself

and you work at it,
you can do anything.

♪ There was a dream ♪

I work so hard because I'm just
trying to give my daughter

every opportunity
that I never had.

♪ One day I could see it ♪

♪ Like a bird in a cage,
I broke in ♪

I love you.

♪ And demanded
that somebody free it ♪

I miss you.
I'll be home soon.

Yeah.

Whoo! That was awesome!

And mark it.

Wait, like that? Okay, okay.

Sorry, it's my first time
with this.

So, my name's Francisco Martin,
and, um, I go to ‐‐

sorry ‐‐ College of San Mateo
in, uh...California.

Cool.
Alright, one more time.

Yeah, sorry.

Don't be sorry, man.
You got this.

♪ Yeah, let's shine,
yeah, let's dream ♪

My name is Francisco Martin.
I'm 18 years old.

I'm from San Francisco,
California,

and I'm a college student.

And I'm ‐‐
Right now, I'm studying pre‐law.

Well, here is your official
"American Idol" sticker.

Whoo! Go, Francisco!

♪ Let's go, let's go ♪

Of course I want my music
to be my career,

and I ‐‐ like, I love music,

but I've always had a struggle
with self‐confidence.

♪ Ooh, ooh‐ooh ♪

I don't know.
I feel like everyone's nervous.

But if I put myself
in that mind‐set

of just, like,
"Just have some fun,

don't, like, overthink things,"
I should be fine.

♪ Ooh‐ooh‐ooh ♪

Well, alright.
What's up?

I'm good. How ‐‐
I'm good. How are you guys?

Are you nervous?
A little bit.

A little bit, my ass.
You got to ‐‐

I'm excited to be here.
You got to calm down.

You got to ‐‐ You got to ‐‐
You're about to die.

You got to calm down,
now, see.

Yeah, hold on.
You need to ‐‐

You need to calm down, see.
Come on. Let's get one in.

Yeah, you want to calm down.
It's gonna be okay.

Damn, you ‐‐
Are you breathing?

Yeah. I'm fine.

You're not breathing.

Alright.
Hold on.

There you go.
Check him out.

Hold on. Listen.
Listen to this heart rate.

Hold on.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

Alright, hold on. Count ‐‐
Do your watch, Lionel.

You may be on the verge
of, uh...

We need a damn EMT in here.
Hold on.

I'm nervous right now.

I can't even talk.
You know, like, I'm shaking.

You have to stop. You ‐‐
Believe me.

Look at my ‐‐
It is. Yeah.

148 is his heart rate.

I'm excited to be here.
Grateful.

Alright.
That's why.

When I'm cycling,
going, I'm 148.

Thank you.
Thank you, guys.

That calm you down at all?
Yeah, it calmed me down.

Thank you so much.
There you go.

So now tell us who you are,
where you're from.

I'm Francisco Martin.
I'm from San Francisco.

Francisco from Francisco.

There you go.

So what are you gonna do
for us today?

So I'm gonna sing
"Alaska" by Maggie Rogers.

Very cool.
Perfect.
Yeah.

♪♪

♪ I was walking ♪

♪ Through icy streams ♪

♪ That took my breath away ♪

♪ Moving slowly
through westward water ♪

♪ Over glacial plains ♪

♪ And I walked off you ♪

♪ And I walked off an old me ♪

♪ Oh, me, oh, my,
I thought it was a dream ♪

♪ So it seemed ♪

♪ And now breathe deep ♪

♪ I'm inhaling ♪

Yes!
Go.

♪ You and I,
there's air in between ♪

♪ Leave me be ♪

♪ I'm exhaling ♪

♪ You and I,
there's air in between ♪

That's great!

♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh ♪
Come on!

♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh‐ooh ♪

♪ You and I,
there's air in between ♪

♪♪

You ‐‐

You little devil, you.

Ah, sneaky sneaky!
Yeah. Oh.

What a great trick
you just did.

I just checked the pulse
of a future superstar.

I mean, I love
the way you set us up.

"I'm a little afraid,
I'm a little timid,

I'm not quite sure."
Pow! Okay?!

You've got
an incredible voice.

I don't know if you
write your own songs...

I do. Yeah.

Excited to hear that.

Save them.

I don't know.

I mean, I'd like to hear
30 seconds of one.

Go for it.
Go for it?

We just want you to...win.

So this song is, um,
a song I wrote about my friend.

She's Australian.
She visited over the summer.

Is her name Sandy?

Uh, her name's, uh, Tyra.

Uh, she...

...would tell me stories,
so I wrote a song about it.

♪♪

♪ Your skin
placed over my chest ♪

♪ We talk all night for hours ♪

♪ You say I'm over my head ♪

She doesn't sound
like a friend.

That made me laugh.
That made me laugh.

Now, that caught you.

I promise you, she's a friend.
She's a friend.

Uh‐huh.
Uh‐huh!

Listen, I, um...
I'm so happy to see you.

Sweat, hypertension,
and everything,

I don't know
what you got.

Whatever it is,
it's a talent.

Are you in college?
Yeah, I'm in college.

Drop out.

No, don't.
What are you studying,
at least?

What are you studying?
What's your major?

Um, pre‐law.
Yeah, there you go.

I'm trying to get
my associate's degree.

Yeah.
You pursue this.

Law is your fallback.

Would you faint if I told you
that you are Top 10?

I would ‐‐ Oh, my...

I think you're Top 5.
I think you're Top 5.

Well, what ‐‐
Show him what you ‐‐

This is what Luke thought.

Yeah. Yeah.

Let's vote.
Let's ‐‐ No.

No vote.
No, no ‐‐ Right.

You're going to Hollywood!

Thank you so much.
Okay, Francisco
from San Francisco.

Come here.
Come right in.

♪ Stay awake, stay awake,
stay awake with me ♪

Man, okay?
Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you so much.
Hey, listen,

I know you're nervous,
but you're gonna have to

figure it out,
'cause it's about to come.

So we're gonna recommend
a no‐caffeine diet for you.

Okay.
Yeah, thank you.

♪ Stay awake, stay awake,
stay awake with me ♪

So good. So good.

I had, like,
some faith in myself,

but I ‐‐ I'm ‐‐ I'm very ‐‐
I'm very happy

that they ‐‐
they took the time

to, like, make me sing,
like, more songs,

like, to give me a chance,
'cause I was very, very nervous.

But yeah.

I don't know about that.

So while this
golden ticket holder's

collegiate future
is in question...

I'm going to Hollywood!

...one thing's for certain.

Hey!

The talent for season 3...
Whoa!

...is nothing short of
extraordinary.

Sounds like
a dang rock star to me.

Really nice to see you.

God bless you.

I feel like
everything that I've done

has set me up for this moment.

I'm so sorry.

We got you.

But...

Put your seat belts on!

...it all may be too much
for Katy to handle.

See you, Kate.

Um...Katy?

Good morning! Hey, L. A.!

Are we excited?

We bring our energy up,
not down!

Jab, jab,
right, hook, right.

Hi, welcome
to "American Idol."

What's your name, age?
Whoo!

My name's Hunter Gibson.

What's going on?!

I am The Comeback.

♪ I just want to be the best ♪

I go by The Comeback.

The Comeback is my rock persona.

I want to show
that rock is still alive.

I don't feel like "Idol"
has something that's me yet.

Like, in your face,
like, hyping everyone up,

like, all of that energy,
energy, energy.

Your hair looks so nice.
Thanks.

I wish mine looked
as good as yours.

I ‐‐ Fortunately,
someone helps me with it.

Ryan Seacrest is pretty ‐‐
pretty hot.

I listen to your ‐‐
your radio station, you know?

Thank you for listening.
Appreciate that.

And, Katy Perry, like,
your first album is everything.

I actually saw her
at Warped Tour.

That was one of her first times
ever performing.

She got booed off stage.

So, yeah, I was just kind of
sad, but, like, look at her now.

The show must go on.

♪ I just want to be the best ♪

Well, personally,
I put myself out on YouTube

and got like 25, 30 dislikes
and like 5 likes, which ‐‐

You have to remember the people
that liked you, you know?

Well, good luck, man.
Thank you.

Nice to meet you.

I'm my star,
and I'm the people's star,

and I'm the American Idol.

♪♪

Oh, goodness,
coming in hot!

He's coming in hot here.

Hello.

Hi!
Ooh!

He loves him some Katy.

Yes!
Yeah.

Okay, oh.
I saw you at Warped Tour!

Whoa!
Yeah. Yeah.

Who are you,
and how young are you?

My name's Hunter Gibson,
but I go by The Comeback,

'cause I make,
like, rock music.

Oh.
So I'm trying to do, like...

...The Comeback.

This is my comeback.
Here we go, you know?

O‐Okay.
Just like...

You know? Like...
Whoa, mosh pit.

Whoo!
You are the first
to mosh on "American Idol."

I'm down to start a mosh pit.

First and foremost, let's ‐‐
let's hear your music.

Okay.
I think I'm ready,
but I'm not sure.

♪ Wish cast into the sky ♪

♪ I'm moving on ♪

♪ Sweet beginnings do arise ♪

♪ She knows I was wrong ♪

♪ The notes are old ♪

♪ They bend, they fold ♪

♪ And so do I to a new love ♪

♪ Did you think
that I would cry ♪

♪ On the phone? ♪

♪ Do you know
what it feels like ♪

♪ Being alone? ♪

♪ I'll find someone new ♪

♪ Swing, swing
from the tangles of ♪

♪ My heart is crushed
by a former love ♪

♪ Can you help me find ♪

♪ A way to carry on again? ♪

♪ Swing, swing
from the tangles of ♪

♪ My heart ♪
♪ Is crushed by a ♪

♪ Former love ♪

♪ Can you help me find ♪

♪ A way to carry on again? ♪

Alright, alright, alright,
that was great.

That brought me back.

♪ Bury me ♪

It's not over!

♪ You thought
your problems were gone ♪

♪ Carry me ♪

♪ Away, away, away ♪

♪ Swing, swing ♪

♪ From the tangles of ♪

♪ My heart ♪
♪ Is crushed ♪

♪ By a former love ♪

♪ Can ♪
♪ You ♪

♪ Help me ♪
Aah!

Aah!
♪ Find a way ♪

Stop it.
♪ To carry on again? ♪

Aah!
Stop it.

You have to sing actual shows.
Stop.

♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ Hmm ♪

This is an actual movement,
Lionel.

♪ Swing, swing ♪

It's ‐‐ It ‐‐
Who was that?

All American Rejects?
Oh.

Ooh, hey.
Oh, no.

Okay, alright, alright.

Um, The Comeback ‐‐
That was, uh...

The Comeback.
Come back to the oval.

Come back.

Listen.
That was ‐‐
That was thrilling.

Yeah, that woke me up.
That's what I was trying to do.

I know.

I liked it.

You know, you really
definitely did it.
Yes.

Since we vibe,
I appreciate what you're doing,

and you are correct ‐‐
this movement is coming back.

I don't know if it's back enough
yet for "American Idol,"

but I think you could be
ahead of this next curve.

I mean, I'll see you
at the show.

I'll invite you.

I'll bring Luke and Lionel.

We'll be there.
Oh, I'll be there.

I'll actually
throw them in the mosh pit.

Just the singing
and the vocals

aren't all the way
there yet, bud.

Okay.

It's specific for this show.
Yeah, yeah, I was gonna say.

We must have the
ol' vocals cut through.
No ‐‐

It definitely cut through,
but in a different way.

It cut ‐‐ Right.
Yeah, yeah.

Which is what
I was trying to do.

I know, and I get it.
Well, that's your deal.

Don't lose your energy
and what you're...

He is not.

Lionel?

Stay committed
to what you're doing.

I just don't think it's
going to be for "American Idol."

Yeah.
It's a no from me.

Hunter, AKA The Comeback...

♪ Just be yourself ♪

...it's a no for
"American Idol." Luke?

♪ It doesn't matter if it's good
enough for someone else ♪

Hunter, thanks
for your energy, bud.

Carry it on.
Um, it's a no from me.

♪ It just takes some time ♪
We appreciate it, though.

Thank you.
Really.

Great performance,
by the way.

♪ Everything will be just fine ♪
You woke everyone up.

How did we do?
I didn't make it.

No ‐‐ No ticket?
No ticket this time.

Aw!

I'm not what "American Idol"
is looking for,

but I‐I got Katy Perry singing,

and I rose the energy
in the room.

♪ The Comeback
is coming back next year! ♪

It is what it is,

and you're gonna get the door
slammed on you so many times.

Maybe next year,
I can really just...

♪ I just want to be the best ♪

♪ This is a world premiere ♪

What's up, guys?

I'm back at it again.

Round two, here we go.

Mm.

There's no music, but they're
probably gonna play music,

like, in the edit,
so I'm just dancing to that.

Mm.

♪ I love myself ♪

My name is Nick Merico. I'm 23.
And I am from Woodland Hills.

♪ But it can do what it want
whenever it want ♪

I feel like you look
really familiar.

I feel like
I've seen you before.

Really?
Yeah, I really do.

Auditioning for "Idol" last year
was an incredible experience.

How y'all doing today?
‐We're doing well.

Good lord, hunkasaurus.

Hunkasaurus rex.

The judges really loved it.
I got the golden ticket.

I feel like Katy and I
maybe had a connection.

I don't know.
We'll see this year.

♪ I love myself ♪

I remember you getting a ticket
to Hollywood Week, right?

That's right. Yeah, yeah.
And then we broke up?

Last year, I got through,
but I backed out.

I didn't go to Hollywood.

So, came back this season to
prove that I have what it takes.

Five, guys.

♪ My heart undone ♪
♪ I love myself ♪

I'm excited to show the judges
what I came here to do.

♪ I'm about to kill it ♪

♪ And I'm about to kill it ♪

How bad do I want
the golden ticket?

♪ Life is more than suicide ♪

♪ I love myself ♪

How bad do you want to breathe?

♪ I love myself ♪

♪ The world is a ghetto
with big guns and picket signs ♪

♪ I love myself ♪

Son of a gun.
That's a singing
brother up there, boy.

What's up?
Hi, guys.

Hey, now.
Good to see y'all.

How are you?

I love that walk‐in.

I'm doing pretty good.
Walking in here like ‐‐

That walk ‐‐ what?
Walking in here like ‐‐

They told me to go to the "T."
But how about this?

I'll come a little closer.
No, no, no.

You got to be back there.
No, no, no, no.

Your lighting
is back there.

Lighting is better over here?
Yeah.

I'll take your word for it.
Also, you look very familiar.

I auditioned last year.
Yeah.

Yeah, you abandoned us.
You left us.

I know.
My heart's broken, too.

Are you back on your knees,
pleading for a second chance?

‐Is that what you want?
‐No, I don't need you.

No, no, no, no, no.
But just, like, figuratively.

Not a good look.
Figuratively.

I mean, yeah, I'm here to play
for you guys, you know?

All joking aside,
we were like...

"What happened?"

Some personal things went down,

and I had to figure out
a lot of things

and really take the last year
as a boot camp.

And you guys
were so kind to me,

and I'm so grateful
for a second opportunity.

That's why I'm here today,
to sing for you guys again.

Well, you better not ghost us.

I won't.
Again.

Not gonna happen.
'Cause it triggers me.

I know. I'm on my way,
but I'm back.

I brought snacks.
We on this road trip now.

Well, I'm already engaged.
You missed it.

Anyway...

And I'll take pork rinds.

Okay, just reintroduce yourself.
Alright.

Let's hope you ‐‐
Let's hope you still got it.

So, my name is Nick Merico.

Today, I'm gonna be singing
"You Say" by Lauren Daigle,

and, uh, I'm really
looking forward to it.

How old are you?
23.

Alright, Nick.

Alright.
Give it to us again.

Let's do it again.

♪♪

♪ I keep fighting
voices in my mind ♪

♪ That say I'm not enough ♪

♪♪

♪ Every single lie
that tells me ♪

♪ I will never measure up ♪

♪♪

♪ Am I more than just the sum
of every high and every low? ♪

♪♪

♪ Remind me once again
just who I am ♪

♪ Because I need to know ♪

♪ Oh, oh ♪

♪ You say I am loved ♪

♪ When I don't feel a thing ♪

♪ You say that I am strong ♪

♪ I think I am weak ♪

♪ You say that I am held ♪

♪ I am falling short ♪

♪ When I don't belong ♪

♪ You say I am yours ♪

♪ And I believe ♪

♪ I believe ♪

♪ What you say to me ♪

♪ No, I believe ♪

You're still dreamy,
and you can sing.

Phew. Alright,
back in the oval of judgment.

I'm back? Here I go.
Phew.

Alright, Nick, um...
I enjoyed the chorus.

I enjoyed
the cry in the chorus.

I just have this feeling

that you think
that you're too good for us.

Ohh.
Katy, remove those demons.

That's not true at all.

I mean, that's the only reason
why you would abandon us.

Well...
Yeah, sure, you got
a lot of things going for you.

You're cool. Nice eyes.

You sing well.

You came in here
with your nice eyes.

Yeah, you sing well.

You definitely
tick a lot of boxes.

So all I'm saying is
that if you do go to Hollywood,

just, like, be open
to being molded and shaped

and the whole thing, 'cause
you do have a good chance.

But there's one thing
that's gonna get in the way ‐‐

and don't let it ‐‐
it's gonna be your ego.

I understand.
Okay, I know exactly
what you're talking about.
Okay?

I hear you.
'Cause we don't ‐‐
We don't really ‐‐

We don't really tolerate that.
Of course.

Yeah, Nick, you know,
I remember last year seeing you.

I mean, like I said,
you're the carbon cutout

of a teenybopper heartthrob.

He has
tremendous eyebrows.

And he can sing.

Yeah, man, you're going to
Hollywood, in my opinion.

Alright, uh, Nick,
we have a problem.

Okay.

We have a big problem,
honestly, because...

Okay.
...I don't like you.

Ooh!
Lionel Richie!

No, I got to be honest.
Really?

Mm‐hmm, I got to be honest
with you, I don't like you.

And for some weird reason,
it's not sitting well with me.

I don't like your voice.
What?

No, I'm being honest.
I'm being very honest.

I don't like your attitude.

And I don't really think you're
gonna make it in Hollywood.

♪♪

Well,
a big problem, honestly.

Okay.
Because I don't like you.

Ooh.
Lionel Richie!

And for some weird reason,
it's not sitting well with me.

I don't like
your attitude.

And I don't really think you're
gonna make it in Hollywood.

Now, how do you feel
right now?

I feel hurt.
Good.

Because that's exactly
what I want you to feel like.

Because I want you
to understand

what it feels like
when people don't adore you.

You got that?
I do.

I want to take him
from here...

I want to take him
from here...

to here.

And then I want him
to come back up here now

when we tell him
he's gonna work real hard

and give us the goods.

Lose the rest.

Yeah, you know,
I got to tell you,

if you play it
a little bit more modest

and can be a little bit more
humble in this process,

you'll have America's heart.

Absolutely.

Thank you, guys.

Guys, can we
vote right now?

Oh, no, no, no.
No, no, no, hold up.

No, here.
Wait, come here.

We have to do it
officially.

Okay, hold it.
One...two...three.

You're going to Hollywood.

♪ Say it a, say it again ♪

Thank you, guys!
And a therapist.

I‐I've never done that before.
It felt really good.

Kill it.

Alright, guys,
I'll see you soon, alright?

Alright.
You strut, boy!

You strut! I got you!

Oh.

That's what I
used to look like.

Whoa!

Lionel, you scared the hell
out of me today,

and I ‐‐ and I
love you for that.

They tore me down.

She's like ‐‐ Katy's like,
"Wait, wait, wait,

I think you thought
you were too good for us."

The judges really
let me have it.

It really made me see things
in a new perspective.

Thank you, guys,
for this ticket.

I won't let you down.

So Nick gets yet another
bus ticket to Hollywood.

♪ Yeah ♪

Speaking of buses...

♪ Bring it on home,
bring it on home ♪

♪ Bring it on home ♪
...it's a new season

and a brand‐new chance
for our iconic "Idol" bus

to bring someone's
"American Idol" dreams

into view.
♪ Bring it on home ♪

♪ Bring it on home ♪

We crisscrossed the country

to dig up
the best undiscovered talent.

And we've added
a few notable stops ‐‐

the birthplaces
of our very own judges.

♪ Bring it on home ♪

Tuskegee, Alabama, home to our
living legend Lionel Richie.

I know
Lionel Richie from birth.

I will tell you this ‐‐
if I'd have known

how famous he was gonna be,
I'd have treated him better.

But the main thing about
Lionel Richie ‐‐

his music reflects who he is.

If it were not
for the foundation

he had here at Tuskegee,
he would not be that person.

Leesburg, Georgia,

the birthplace of country boy
Luke Bryan.

Luke lived here
and worked here

and started his band here.

He just loves Leesburg.
Always has.

And Santa Barbara, California,

home to the incomparable
Katy Perry.

What a turn‐out,
Santa Barbara.

I can't believe the people ‐‐
Whoo!

Hey, what's up?

Hey, Katy, you're speechless.
What's the problem?

♪ Bring it on home ♪
Say something.

♪ Home, home is
where the heart is ♪

This is where
our judges' dreams began.

♪ I'mma bring it on home ♪

But how far would the next
American Idol have to travel

to fulfill
his own American dream?

♪ Home is where the heart is ♪

It's a lot further
than you might think.

So, tell me about
where you're from.

Uh...right now,
I'm currently living

in Wichita, Kansas,
for five years.

And originally, I was born
in Nepal, Kathmandu.

My name is Dibesh Pokharel,

and I go by the stage name
called Arthur Gunn.

And I was born in Nepal,
Kathmandu.

I loved growing up in Nepal.

Yeah, Nepal is
a very beautiful country.

You have mountains
and hills everywhere.

And everyone is friendly.

Yeah, it is a wonderful place.

Music has always been, like,
my thing from when I was a kid.

And I got my first guitar
from my mom,

and then I started
singing along,

any song I could hear on radio,
TVs, you know?

That's when the dream started.

And after high school,
I moved to America

because it's the land
of great opportunity, you know?

Now that I'm here in Wichita,
Kansas, it feels good, you know?

♪ Steady as the morning ♪

Living in Wichita
really got me into,

like, bluegrass and country.

I hadn't listened
to those kinds of music before.

But I was, like,
pulled towards it, you know?

It was like a magnet.

So how are you feeling
about the audition?

I'm excited.

Uh, a little bit
part of it ‐‐

let's say 10% nervous
and 90% excited.

Alright, dude, good luck.
Thank you very much.

To be performing, like,
on "American Idol,"

it is a great deal.

So this is my chance to make
my American dream come true.

Hello.
How are you?

Hi. Namaste.

Good. How are you guys?
Very well.

Namaste.

Welcome to the show.
Thank you.

Tell us where you're from,
who you are, the whole thing.

My name is Dibesh Pokharel,

and I go by the stage name
called Arthur Gunn.

Arthur Gunn.

Yeah, I'm living
in Wichita, Kansas,

for five years now,

and I was born in,
uh, Nepal, Kathmandu.

What's your original name?
Uh, Dibesh.

Dibesh.
What does that mean?

Dibesh.
Uh, it means "light."

Ah.

It also means
you're "di besht."

Thank you.

You are possibly "di besht."
Thank you.

What are you gonna sing
for us?

Uh, today, I'm gonna
sing a song by Bob Dylan

called "Girl from
the North Country."

Let's hear it.
Okay.

♪ So if you're traveling
through the north country fair ♪

♪ Where the wind hits heavy
on the borderlines ♪

Wow.

♪ Remember me
to the one who lives there ♪

♪ Please see for me if she's
wearing a coat so warm ♪

♪ To keep her
from the howling winds ♪

Mm.

Thank you.

Just give me
another song,

just to get a little more of
an idea of what you do.

Okay.
Can you do me a favor?

Just keep your eyes open.
Yeah, yeah.

And look at us,
or look to your guitar.

Awesome.

♪ Someone told me long ago ♪

♪ There's a calm
before the storm ♪

♪ I know ♪
There it is.

♪ 'Cause it's been coming down
for some time ♪

♪ When it's over, so they say ♪

♪ It will rain a sunny day ♪

♪ I know ♪

There it is.

♪ Shining down like water ♪

♪ But I want to know ♪

♪ Well, have you ever
seen the rain? ♪

♪ Yeah ♪
Oh, my gosh.

♪ But I want to know ♪

♪ Have you ever seen the rain? ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ Coming down on a sunny day? ♪

♪♪

He is "di‐besht."
Thank you.

You want to open for me in
Detroit, Michigan, in two weeks?

Of course. I'd love to.

Oh, my God.
Whoo.

I am loving
this discovery.

Thank you for being here.
Thank you, actually.

Do you notice the connection

when you kept your eyes open,
and the joy and the happiness?

Yes, I did.
Yeah.

'Cause you have
such a great storyteller voice,

and I'm really excited
for you.

Thank you.
We know what you're doing.

You are feeling this music,
but it makes your eyes

kind of roll back
and flutter a little bit,

and we're just trying to set
you up for global overtaking.

What a unique artist
you are.

‐How did you audition?
‐I went to the open call.

‐Where?
‐In Wichita, Kansas.

Was it the bus?
Yeah, it was the bus.

So you just
brought your guitar,

you came to the bus,
and you sang your song?

‐Yeah.
‐I like it. I like it.

I mean, what
an American story.

This is in
the middle of Kansas.

‐
‐Arthur, you're a rock star.

Thank you.
Thank you very much.

I want you
to understand something.

Okay.
Okay?

This is me talking to you.

You have no idea what this
journey is gonna be for you.

I'm stoked for it.
I'm excited, really.

Oh, man.
God bless you.

You are the story
that we need to tell.

And welcome to the world,
my friend.

Thank you very much.

I don't think
we need a vote.

Alright, let's do it.

You are going to Hollywood.

♪ It's not tonight ♪

That's awesome.
That's awesome.

‐Thank you so much.
‐

‐God bless you.
‐Thank you. So very
nice to see you.

‐Nice to meet you.
‐Congrats.

Very good to see you
in real life.

Thank you very much.

Yeah.
Blessings.

Yeah.

♪ Oh, it's not tonight ♪

Ladies and gentlemen,
Arthur.

♪ When you hold me tight ♪

♪ And the fire bright ♪
He's going to Hollywood!

♪ Let it blaze alright ♪

You're going to the epicenter
of American entertainment.

How does that resonate?

This is amazing.
It's like a dream.

It's like
an American dream.

How does a kid from Nepal
wind up in Wichita, Kansas...

Oh, my God.

...and then on
"American Idol..."

On "American Idol."
...and then sounds like that?

Thank you for that one.
Oh, goodness.

♪♪

Welcome back
to "American Idol,"

where the auditions
are about to begin

in our nation's capital,
Washington, D. C.

Where's Luke and Lionel?

Do you know where they are?

♪ So I put my hands up ♪

♪ They're playing my song,
and the butterflies fly away ♪

They're making some racket out
there for us, Lionel.

Heck, yeah. This is
some presidential stuff.

I feel like a big deal.

♪ I put my hands up,
they're playing my song ♪

♪ I know I'm gonna be okay ♪
Lionel!

This is your element.
People! Folks!

Ready?
Love you guys.

♪ Yeah, it's a party
in the USA ♪
Hey, guys.

Whoo!

D.C.

Hello, Washing‐ton.

Alright.
What do we have here?

I guess we're supposed to
reveal these.

Luke, you're first.

Always.

Oh!

You look a little bit
like a Kennedy.

That is a compliment.

Please, please. Come on.
Here we go.

First Lady of Pop!

I‐I ‐‐ Yeah.
Madam Secretary.

I love your...
The suit's very ‐‐

Very good.
Very nice.

Alright, Lionel,
let's see what you look like.

Alright. Okay.

There he is.
Wow!

Yours is the best‐looking!

I mean, it's like if Obama
and Martin Luther King

had a child,
there it is, right there.

Talk louder.

I look like a senator.

You do.
I'm smiling with
my teeth and my tongue.

I know.
Is that First Lady‐like?

That's Madam Secretary.
It will be when I run.

Ah.

Let's go!

So, what do you
want to do?

I‐I don't know, man. I told you
like 20 times, you pick.

What is that?

That was interesting.

Oh!
Oh...my...God.

What? What?
What? What? What?

I'm Alisa. I'm 28 years old.
And I'm from New York.

♪ Down the streets,
I'm the girl next door ♪

I was born in Moscow, Russia,

and I moved to America
when I was 8 months old.

If I lose, you're fired.

Ooh!

I'm with Luigi Babe.

He's my music partner
and mentor.

I'm crazy.
I can sometimes be a hothead.

Ya mogu govorit' po‐russki,

but I can still talk to you
with a New York accent,

so don't mess with me.

♪ Hello, world ♪

I can't even see your eyes
in those glasses.

Those are huge.
That's like a windshield.

When I walk
into that room today,

the judges better be ready

and bring their umbrellas
for the shattering glass.

♪ Cherry bomb ♪
Oh!

I know this is gonna be

the most riveting audition
I've ever done.

Brrrrr! Ah!

Oh.
Oh!

Whoa!
Whoa!

What?
Dear Lord.

Well, we're having a snack.

Okay.
You're looking like a snack.

Drop the paper bag.
Unreal.

Where are you from?
Who are you? What's going on?

Hey, hey, hey.
I'm Alisa.

Born in Russia,
raised in Queens, New York.

Great.

That's all I need to know.

And this is Luigi Babe,

my musical partner
and my mentor.

What do you do for work?

For work, I'm an actress
for film and television.

I've been in "Hustlers"
recently with J. Lo, and ‐‐

Hey!
Hey.

What were you
in "Hustlers"?

Russian Stripper #2.

Was it a speaking part
in "Hustlers"?

Some new girl.

Plain. Homely.
Don't know who she is.

I felt it. I felt it.
I‐I ‐‐ Totally.

Who do people compare you to,
musically?

Musically?
I couldn't tell you.

Visually, Taylor Swift.

Okay, Alisa,
AKA Russian Stripper #2,

what are you gonna sing
for us today?

We're gonna do an original
for you, love,

called "Say Goodbye."

‐Love?
‐Yep.

‐Oh.
‐

‐She's hustling right now.
‐

I love it.
Okay. Go ahead.

Alright.

♪ Break the ties ♪

♪ Of the ones who hate you ♪

♪ Break the ti‐i‐i‐i‐es ♪

♪ Of the ones
who waste your time ♪

♪ And you don't need them ♪

♪ You don't want them ♪

♪ So say goodbye ♪

♪ Say goodby‐y‐y‐e ♪

♪ S‐a‐a‐a‐a‐a‐ay ♪

♪ Goodby‐y‐y‐y‐y‐y‐y‐y‐e ♪

Uh, okay.

Do you guys
cover any Heart?

Uh...

Mm.

We can make you laugh
real quick, if you want?

No.
Yeah.

Hey, if you're not laughing,
you're crying.
There you go.

Everybody, get ready.
Put your seatbelts on.

Hey, Alisa.
Hey, Luigi.

You got a driver's license?
Oh, my God.

I just got
my driver's license.

I'm up
in Hollywood Hills,

and I hear
this really loud noise.

And this
big white Mercedes

comes up
with a little old lady,

and she says,
"Hey, you.

Get out the car."

I said,
"Forget about it,"

like every other
New Yorker would.

For what?
She said, "You know what?

I like you.
Here's my card.

You're gonna be a star."

And you know
what else she said?

Yowza!

Whoo!

Alright, Alisa, we don't
want to rain on your parade,

but we are definitely gonna
have to do a little sprinkling.

You guys
are loads of fun.

I can't say that I was
blown away by the singing.

Mm‐hmm.
But I think
you have big pipes.

But as far as what
I feel like

we need
on "American Idol,"

the vocals
aren't quite there.

I did laugh
on the performance,

but I just don't think it's...
for us here.

Yeah, Alisa,
I think it was super fun.

You wear many hats
and many costumes

and have many tricks.

I can tell.
Let's take a vote.

Um...

Thank you for coming out,
but I'm a no.

I am also a no.

Can't wait to see the act
out in the real world.

It's a no from me.
Good luck.

I got to go see "Hustlers,"
though.
Yeah.

You got me there.
Thank you, guys, so much.
Alright.

Thank you, guys, so much.
Thank you.

♪♪

Smiles, but...

♪ Hey, you're so vicious ♪

A bomb and a smile.

All of them said no,

so all of them
are out of their minds!

Big mistake! Big!

Katy, what is wrong with you?

Do you not know what unique is?

She was so salty to me,

as salty as the fry grease
on her mouth.

♪ Vicious ♪

You don't decline the force!

What is wrong with you people?!

Are you out of your mind?!
Do you know what this is?!

This is a force!

You don't decline a force!
This is a joke!

♪ Vicious ♪

♪♪

Alright, let's get back.
Let's make America sing again.

Hi, how are you guys?
We're good.

Tell us who you are.

My name's Louis Knight.
I'm a singer/songwriter.

I'm 19 years old.

It looks like you were in
the beginning of One Direction.

Yes.

So you're 19
and you're from where?

I'm originally
from London, England,

and I moved to Philadelphia
for the last 8 1/2 years.

And what do you do
for money now?

Part‐time pizza delivery guy.

Part‐time pizza?

‐Yeah. Yeah.
‐Alright.

For a local shop. Yeah.

What are you gonna be singing?

I'm gonna be singing
an original called "Change."

Alright, go ahead.

Alright, thank you.

What is, um...
What is the song about?

So this song ‐‐
I wrote this song about

going through the loss
of one of my brother

and I's best friends
to suicide.

Thank you.
Very good.

I grew up in London,

but when I was 10,
we all moved over to Philly.

It ‐‐ It was a fresh start,

but it was just such an
adjustment period for everyone.

It was definitely harder
for Max, my brother.

Luckily, we joined soccer teams.
Oh!

That was how we all
first made friends,

and then Max met Russell.

♪ Remember
all the things we wanted ♪

He became one of my best friends

and became a part
of the family instantly.

We were as thick as thieves.

We just always
had a great time together,

and he was always
so supportive of my music.

He would film me
playing at the piano.

He sat with me
when I wrote songs before.

Even when you didn't,
he would always believe in you

and he'd help you see that, too.

Oh, he was just
such a good person.

We knew he was going through
a hard time.

We didn't know the extent
of that suffering.

♪ And I want you to know ♪

♪ You couldn't have
loved me better ♪

About a year and a half ago,
he took his own life.

My brother was living in England
at the time, and...

...I had to call my brother

and tell him that ‐‐
that Russell was gone.

♪♪

It was...It was just...

It just shattered ‐‐
shattered his world,

and, um, that was so hard.

When something
like that happens,

it really
just stops your whole world.

I tried sitting down for
a long time to write about it,

and nothing was really working
at the time

because it was just
going through the motions

of ‐‐ of dealing with that loss.

Eventually, something I'd been
trying to talk about

finally just came out.

♪ But Russell taught me
there's wisdom in my soul ♪

This song ‐‐
I wrote it as a tribute to him

and everything
he brought to this world.

It's given me an opportunity

to really shed some light
on the issue

and ‐‐ and hopefully to
make people not feel so alone.

I don't know. All ‐‐
All I can hope for this song

is that maybe it can speak
to someone suffering

and ‐‐ and maybe save a life,
and that's all ‐‐

I mean, that's all
I can possibly hope for.

♪ Had to jump into the water ♪

♪ Just to find a way to float ♪

♪ See, life, it comes in waves ♪

♪ And it's full of highs
and lows ♪

♪ But Russell taught me
there's wisdom in my soul ♪

♪ And deep down,
I think we're as good as gold ♪

♪ No more waiting here,
running back and forth ♪

♪ No more losing sleep,
having second thoughts ♪

♪ No more ♪

Yoo‐hoo!
There you go.

♪ I'm lucky to live ♪

There you go.

♪ Another day ♪

♪ But how would you feel? ♪

♪ If I showed you my mistakes? ♪

♪ And what it felt like ♪

♪ To walk away? ♪

♪ See, you're concerned ♪

♪ It'll go to waste ♪

♪ I'm lucky to live ♪

♪ Another day ♪

♪ It's time for change ♪

Very good.

Thank you, Louis.
Thank you very much.

Meet us on the oval,
please.

Yes.

I think he might be
the biggest star

we've ever had
on "American Idol."

Wow, Mr. Luke.

That's a bold statement,
and, yes, I kind of agree.

Wow. You know, it's funny ‐‐
not even ‐‐

I have chill‐bumps
telling you you're a star.

I wouldn't go so far as say

you are the biggest star we've
seen in these three seasons.

Mm.
Got to keep you humble.
Got to keep you ‐‐

Yeah. Yeah.
I want to stay that way.

...you know, wanting it.

But I really appreciated
your original song.

I appreciated the sentiment
of it, the feeling of it.

Thank you.
From a songwriter,

you're on to
something big, okay?

Your parallels
when you write,

your absolute lines
leading up to your hook ‐‐

fabulous.

Just do more of it
to control your destiny.

Thank you so much.

That means a lot, guys.
Very good. Very good.

Feel like we can unanimously
say ‐‐ One, two, three...

You're going to Hollywood!

Thank you, guys, so much.

Come here.
Got to get this.

I really appreciate it, guys.
Yeah.

Good luck to you.
I really look forward to it.

Oh, this ‐‐ You know
what's gonna be so fun?

In, like, five years
when you're a fat star

and won't talk to all of us,
looking back at this clip.

I know. It's firing me up.
Thank you, guys.

I really appreciate it.
I look forward to it.

Thank you.
Have a graceful day.
Good job, man.

♪ I can't wait to go home ♪

♪ I'm on my way ♪

Getting the three yeses,

especially when I perform
my own original song,

which was a song
that was really personal to me,

was absolutely incredible,

and it's all ‐‐ all I could
have ever hoped for.

I love it.

He's ‐‐
He's such a big star.

He is.
He's a big old star.

Great for the show,
there.

Russell would be
absolutely thrilled.

I think he'd be looking down

and he'd be smiling
and he'd be really proud.

♪♪

♪♪

Welcome to
"American Idol."

Yeah.
All the way from Canada.

Whoa.

What's your name, age,
and where are you from?

My name is Saveria,
I'm 22,

and I'm from
London, Ontario, Canada.

Music started for me
around the age of 9 years old.

♪ I got the mu‐u‐u‐u‐sic ♪

I was signed to a label...

♪ In me ♪

...for a kid's cover CD
in Canada.

I was in commercials,
I was doing the whole thing.

I was in the recording studio
really young,

and things were amazing.

But time came when things
just kind of fizzled out for me,

and I was released
when I was about 13 or 14.

It was tough as a kid
to have people say no to you.

It really did suck.

But I never stopped
making music...

♪ You belong ♪

...and, you know,
refining my guitar skills.

I feel like everything
that I've done, honestly,

has set me up for this moment.

Hey.
How's it going, you guys?

I feel really prepared to be,
like, "Hey, this is me.

Listen."

♪ This is a place
that you belong ♪

How are you?

I'm good.
How are you guys?

Who are you?

I'm Saveria,
I'm 22 years old,

and I'm from
London, Ontario, Canada.

Saveria.

What type of name is that?
It's cool.

It's an Italian name.

It was my great‐grandmother's,
actually.

Do you know what it means?

I believe it means "new home."

Ah.
Yeah.
Very good.

Well, hopefully,
this is your new home.

Yeah.

Tell me about why
"American Idol."

I mean, I've been doing this
for more than half of my life,

so whatever I can do musically,
like, I try my hardest.

Anything that's music, you know?

We're interested.

What are you gonna sing?

My original ‐‐
"Tell Me This Is Real."

♪ Please tell me ♪

♪ That the timing's wrong ♪

♪ That we skipped a song ♪

♪ Holding back a river ♪

♪ Just to let it all flow ♪

♪ Out soon ♪

♪ I'm just
looking for something ♪

♪ Something to do ♪

♪ Something new ♪

♪ Take me down
the way you did each time ♪

♪ Well, I needed more ♪

♪ Than I ever thought ♪

♪ Ooh ♪

♪ Yeah, I need it now ♪

♪ Say it one more time ♪

♪ Yes,
I'll say it one more time ♪

♪ Please tell me this is real ♪

Thank you, thank you.

Alright, Lionel Richie.

You had moments
of great vocal stuff,

and then
all of a sudden,

I kind of drifted back
and drifted off again.

I wasn't quite
paying attention.

Your job is to keep me...
engaged.

Mm‐hmm.
What?

I don't ‐‐ I just
didn't feel it, guys.

No, I'm with you.

Um, you just
stood up there

and worked your butt off
in front of us.

Sure did.

But it's not making me
levitate out of my chair.

Mm.

Well, you know what?

You're a great singer.

You are
a gymnast singer.

You can do cartwheels
and backflips and do it all.

You have so much potential.

Let's take a vote.

♪♪

I'm a yes.

Thank you.

Okay, I'll go.

I just think
it's a no for now.

What?
Are you crazy?

I'm going to say it

because I think she needs to do
the discovery work.

To send her through
right now,

in generality,
is not gonna help her.

Listen, we're gonna be
able to mentor her,

we're gonna be able
to talk to her.

I need that. I need that.
You do.

You need people to steer you
and tell you the tough truth.

Oh.
I'm the last decision?

Yes, sir.

My gut tells me that...

♪♪

You're a great singer.
You have so much potential.

Let's take a vote.
I'm a yes.

Thank you.

I just think
it's a no for now.

What?
Are you crazy?

Oh.

I'm the last decision?

Yes, sir.

My gut
tells me that...

♪♪

...I'm gonna be a no.

Y'all are crazy!

No ‐‐

I am telling you
right now.

See?
Are you sure?

Do you really
believe in this girl?

Yeah. 100%.

I don't know if
you're the next American Idol,

but you deserve
a ticket to Hollywood.

Don't make me
take my earrings off!

Lionel,
final decision?

I'm gonna take my final decision
to the final.

Final decision for me,
I'm a no.

Okay. That's fine.
Thank you.

Thank you.
But we'll see you.

Thank you.
Can I shake your hand?
Please.

Please.
Don't slip.

'Cause she's trying to tear up
the set. Don't worry about it.

Thank you.
Just...run.

Run.

Security.

Don't scream like that
ever again.

I don't believe anymore!

Save yourself.

Nope.

♪ You were turning
'round and 'round ♪

♪ You see ♪

Are you really mad?

I just wanted a chance,
you know?

But it's cool.

I don't want to cry on camera.

Katy believes in me.
She went mental.

They need to get
their hearing checked.

Ah. It's okay.
Don't worry.

It's all good.
Yeah.

See you ‐‐
See you, Kate.

♪ You're running ♪

I think
it's a horrible mistake.

♪♪

This is a tough audition.

That's why we brought
our resident mentor Bobby Bones

out on the road.

I cannot wait
to meet Bobby Bones.

‐My man, Bobby Bones.
‐Bobby.

And as a performer, author, and
fellow radio hall‐of‐famer...

Whoo!

...he's got the experience

to help mentor these "Idol"
hopefuls along their journey.

This is the beginning.

So you're out on the road
with us for the first time.

What do you think
their biggest challenge will be,

coming to see the judges
right now?

♪ I feel it in my bones ♪
You got it. You got it.

For me,
it's a lot of resetting.

"Hey,
do the simple things."

Don't forget to breathe,
don't forget to smile,

be likeable,"
because they already know

who they are as artists,
for the most part,

so it's going back
to the basics again.

My name's Bobby Bones.
I know.

He's a huge presence
in Nashville.

He's been responsible
for breaking female artists,

as well, which I love.

You're good enough.
Just be real enough.

What do you think
is one character trait

that they look for
in an American Idol?

You have to know who you are
as an artist.

I think some people are afraid
of being different...

Yeah.
...because they see it
as a bad thing.

Go into that room
and just be you,

and don't try to be like
anything you've seen before.

Yeah.
It's gonna be awesome.
I'm so happy for you.

You're gonna kill it.
You're gonna kill it.
Thank you.

I'm excited.

What's your name?

Meghan Fitton.
Meghan Fitness?

Fitton.
Fitton.

What do you do
for work?

I'm a fitness instructor.
What?

Fitton fitness?

Yes.
"I'm Meghan Fitton,

and I'm fittin' to get you fit
at Fitton Fitness."

Stop it.

We have a show to run!

Okay, so why did you try out
for "American Idol"?

I love ‐‐
Do you watch it?

Yes.
Have since I was a wee child,

but I've always been obsessed
with "The Bachelor."

Like, 1 to 10 ‐‐
like 10 obsessed?

Yeah.

♪ Love me, love me ♪

I love "The Bachelor."

I do have
my own "Bachelor" podcast.

Hello, everyone. It's Meghan
for my "Bachelor" recap.

It's very bootleg.

I think maybe
five people listen to it.

That's generous.

Did you like Peter the pilot?
Who did you like?

I love Peter the pilot.
Yeah.

I'm excited for him,
but Ben Higgins is my favorite.

For sure.

♪ Love me, love me ♪

Ben Higgins is dreamy.

Born to be the Bachelor.

♪ I don't care
about anything but you ♪

Are you one of those people that
has, like, "Bachelor" parties?

That's Lionel.

I support you, Lionel,
if that's what you want to do.

Just throw me
under the bus, right?

Okay, but why are you
so obsessed with it, though?

I just think it's addicting,
and there's a happy ending.

Okay.
I'm a single chick, you know?

Great. If you could be on
one show,

"American Idol"
or "The Bachelor,"

which one would you choose?

"American Idol."
Right answer.

Great question.
Good answer.

Right answer.
Okay, great.

Well,
you're on it now.

What are you gonna sing
for us?

I'm gonna sing "Love Where
You're At" by Allen Stone.

Okay. Great choice.

♪ I keep my dirt on the surface
so I don't got to dig ♪

♪ The people
couldn't make me nervous ♪

♪ Tried to hide
from their sins ♪

♪ But I ain't got no reason
to cover my tracks ♪

♪ The best part about learning ♪

♪ Is loving where you're at ♪

♪ Oh, love where you're at ♪

♪ You got to love
where you're at ♪

♪ I keep your dirt on the
surface and love where I'm at ♪

♪ I keep my stains on my collar
so that everyone sees ♪

♪ And there ain't no bother
spreading rumors about me ♪

♪ So love where you're at ♪

♪ Oh, you got to love
where you're at ♪

♪ Keep my dirt on the surface
and love where you're at ♪

Alright.
Hmm.

"Alright"?
What?

That was incredible.

Okay.

I mean, that's, like,
rock star, soul...

Some pretty good soul, yeah.
...grit, angst.

It was incredible to me.
I mean, you ‐‐

What do you think?
I'm thinking that I had to

close my eyes for a minute,
open my eyes,

and see where the heck
that voice was coming from

because it's raw
and wonderful.

Sounds like
a dang rock star to me.

It's scary. It's a big deal.

This is, like, a very intense
situation to be in.

Katy ‐‐ I want to hear
what she says.

Meghan,
I love the grit in your voice.

I'm just a little girl

that lives in a 10x10 room
in Brooklyn,

and being
the next American Idol ‐‐

it seems like
such a distant thought.

I think you've got
really special moments.

You definitely need
to connect them more,

and they need to be
a bit smoothed out.

Okay.
It's like when
you're driving stick

and you, like,
stop in the middle...

...and you're like,
"O‐O‐On there,"

but you can get
to that gear.

Yeah. For sure.

And so I think there
is something raw,

and we're always looking
for the diamond in the rough.

Yeah. I love it.

Honestly, if I had a rose,
I'd give you one.
Yeah.

As much
as I love "The Bachelor,"

I'm not here to be
the next Bachelorette.

I'm here to be
the next American Idol,

and I really hope
that the judges see that

and send me to Hollywood.

Judges, Meghan, this is
the final vote tonight.

Final vote tonight.

I'm gonna say yes.

♪♪

I'm gonna say I'm excited,
and yes.

I'm a yes.

Wait.

Actually, I have someone that
wants to give you your ticket.

Okay.
What?

I watch
lots of TV shows on here.

No. What?

What...
are you doing to me?

Oh, my God!
♪ Almost paradise ♪

Stop right now.

That's Chris Harrison.

It's Chris Harrison,
it's live,

and he has something to say
to you.

I'm gonna cry.

Meghan, will you accept
this final rose?

Oh, wait, I'm ‐‐ Hold on.
That's the wrong show.

Hey, Meghan?
Yes?

Welcome to Hollywood.

Thank you! I accept!
Oh, my God!

She doesn't care about us
at all.

I care about you
so much.

This is the best
one‐on‐one date ever.

Thank you so much,
Chris.

Thank you so much.
Ah! There we go!

Yeah, there's your real ticket.
Love you guys.

Love you, man.
Love you, buddy.

Love you, babe.

Thank you, guys, so much.
Oh, so great.

Congratulations.
Nice to meet you,
and see you in Hollywood.

Thank you. My mom's gonna
freak out. She loves you.

Alright.

Thank you so much!

Alright, darling.
Bye‐bye.

♪ Almost paradise ♪

Just a raw singer.

As a loyal Bachelor Nation fan,

Chris Harrison was
video‐chatted in...

♪ How could we ask for more? ♪

...said my name out loud,

and said, "Will you take
this golden ticket?"

♪ In your eyes ♪

And I accepted it,
like any "Bachelor" gal will do.

What's amazing is
that Chris Harrison sits at home

with roses,
and when you FaceTime him,

he just has them
for anybody that calls.

It's unbelievable.

Literally just died.

♪ In your eyes ♪

♪ Paradise ♪

Alright.
The talent keeps
showing up there, Lion‐el.

Yes, yes.

I think that we've got
a couple of stars

and a couple of surprises.
Heck, yeah.

♪ Oh ♪

Louis was amazing.
He was timeless.

♪ Whoa ♪

Francisco was absolutely
God's gift to the show.

Yeah. Yeah.

Him and Louis ‐‐
Oh, my goodness.
Oh.

Louis wins.
So good.

You are crazy.

I'll bet you $10,000
he beats Louis.

$10,000?

$1,000.
No, dinner. Dinner.

♪♪

And you pay for it
or I pay for it.

Right.

I'm excited
to see what's next.

♪♪

I'm Samantha, I'm 20 years old,
and I'm from Harlem, New York.

♪♪

I go by Just Sam.

I think I'm gonna use that
as my stage name forever.

It's easy, it's simple,
you can't mess it up,

unless you forget the "Just."

Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen.

I'm gonna sing a song
for you guys.

If you like what you hear,

please feel free
to give whatever you can.

Thank you.

I sing on the subway.

I started doing that
in middle school.

When I realized
how much money I could make...

...I was like,
"Yeah, this is for me."

♪♪

The underground world
is beautiful.

There's so many
different talents under there.

Hey!

I love what I do.
It pays my bills, rent.

It pays for me to eat.

♪♪

I live with my grandmother

in an apartment
in Frederick Douglass Projects.

♪ No, na, no, na, no, na, no ♪

♪ No, na, no, na,
no, na, no ♪

Gonna get you
some water.

You be talking to them, right?
You talk to your plants?

You're gonna be a star.

My grandmother had to adopt
my sister and I.

My mother wasn't there for me
growing up,

and neither was my father.

My grandmother ‐‐
she made sure we were fed,

she made sure
we had a roof over our head,

she made sure that we had
clothes on our back.

♪ How does it feel
when it's quiet and calm? ♪

♪ When it's time to move on? ♪

I'm very proud,

and I believe with all my heart
that she's going to make it.

I really am grateful

that you never
gave up on me,

because you could have
at any time in my life.

I just want to give her back
everything that she gave me.

I do.

I love you.

I feel like
this opportunity...um...

♪♪

Um...I'm sorry.

♪ Solid ground ♪

I'm...

It's gonna change my life.

♪ Solid ground ♪

I'm gonna sing
like I've never sang before.

♪ Solid ground ♪

How are you?
Hi!

Hello, somebody.
Who are you, somebody?

Hi. I'm Samantha Diaz.
You can call me Just Sam.

Alright.
Alright.

Just Sam, then.
And how young are you?

I'm 20 years young.

Tell me about growing up.
What was that like?

Uh, well, I was adopted
by my grandmother,

and I grew up in the projects.

Life was hard, but I got through
100% of my worst days.

And you've started
letting the light in.

Amen.
And it looks good on you.

Thank you.
Thank you.

And so what are you gonna
share with us, Just Sam?

Um, I'm gonna sing
"You Say" by Lauren Daigle.

Great.
So, yeah.

Okay.
Alright.

♪ I keep fighting voices in my
mind that say I'm not enough ♪

Why? We're gonna do this.
I'm sorry.

You're alright.
You're alright.

You want
to start again?

Please.
You can.

Start again.
Thank you.

Okay. Okay.

♪ Every single lie that tells me
I will never measure up ♪

♪♪

♪ Am I ‐‐ ♪
I'm so sorry.

That's alright.
That's alright.

That's alright.
It's alright.
That's alright.

I'm ready. I have to.

Take your time.
Take your time.
Come here.
Come here.

Yeah. Come here.

Here. Come here.

Aww.
Come here. Come here.

I'm sorry.
No, no, no. No, you need ‐‐

You're okay. Listen.

We feel that
you're gonna be amazing.

Like, we can tell
you're gonna be amazing.

Yeah.
This feels like a dream.

No,
this is the good dream.

You got this.
Don't worry. You got this.

No worries.
We believe in you.

Alright.
Give it to us, alright?

Okay.

And kill it.

Sam...you are safe.

Okay.

So you sing us
a little bit of one other

and you bring it home,
okay?

Is it alright
if I do the train thing

that I do
before I sing on the trains?

'Cause that makes me
comfortable.

Yeah. Whatever you need to do
to get you there.

Whatever it takes.
Let's go, Sam.

Thank you.

So I get on the train
and I get in the car,

and I'm like, "Excuse me,
ladies and gentlemen.

I'm gonna sing a quick song
for you guys.

If you like what you hear,

please feel free
to give whatever you can.

Thank you."

♪ I'll rise up ♪

♪ I'll rise like the day ♪

♪ I'll rise up ♪

♪ I'll rise unafraid ♪

♪ I'll rise up ♪

♪ And I'll do it
a thousand times again ♪

♪ 'Cause all we need ♪

♪ All we need is hope ♪

♪ And for that,
we have each other ♪

♪ And for that,
we have each other ♪

♪ Yes ♪

♪ We will rise ♪

♪ We will rise ♪

♪ We will rise ♪

♪ Whoa ♪

♪ We'll rise ♪

♪ For you ♪

♪ It's all for you ♪

♪ Yes, I'll do it for you ♪

♪ Yes ♪

Yes.

Thank you.

This is really,
really important

what you have,
in my opinion,

and a lot of people
come in here,

and they haven't lived
the struggles you have.

You have those qualities
in your voice to tell stories,

and you can sing
really beautifully, too.

Thank you.
That means so much.

Just Sam,
I love your sweet personality.

You do have
a really good voice.

Thank you.

Remember where you came from and
sing to where you want to go.

Okay. Yeah.
Okay?

Thank you.
Yeah.

Sam, can I ask you
a question?

Yeah. Of course.

In your whole life...
Mm‐hmm?

...have you ever
felt safe?

I feel safe
when my grandma hugs me.

I'm grateful, 'cause, like ‐‐
I'm sorry.

I'm a crybaby.

Okay.
Um...

It's just ‐‐
I'm not used to people caring

without needing or, like,
just pretending to care.

The reason
I asked that question

is because
I want you to feel safe.

Uncle Luke.

Auntie Katy.

Papa Richie. Okay?
Thank you.

And I want you
to understand...

...we got you.
Okay?

♪ You're not
what I was looking for ♪
Yes.

And I want you to...

rely on us
to coach you through this.

And forget about winning.

Okay.
You've already won.

Okay?
Yes.

I'm so grateful that you guys
even listened to me.

I'm so grateful that God
put you in front of us, okay?

Can I pray with you guys?
Is that okay?
Please.

Sure. Come on.
Whatever you want to do.

This prayer that I want to do
with you guys.
Come here.

So repeat after me.
Heavenly Father...

Heavenly Father...

...Lord, make my life brand‐new,
right here, right now...

...Lord, make my life brand‐new,
right here, right now...

...with my friends...
...with my friends...

...and my new fam.
...and my new fam.

Amen.
Amen.

Can we go jump
in the Potomac?

We've been saved again!

We're getting baptized.
Alright.

Thank you, Jesus.
Now, Sam,
we want to say something.

You ready for this,
guys?

♪ So don't look back ♪

♪ Let me up again ♪

♪♪

I got the golden ticket.
I'm going to Hollywood.

I'm gonna make my grandma proud.

I still feel like I'm dreaming.

This is ‐‐ This isn't a dream.
This isn't a dream. Hold on.

It's not a dream.

♪ We are, we are,
we are forever ♪

Next time, the new season
of "Idol" continues...

Fantastic.
Perfect.

...with talent that's too much
for our judges to handle.

Ah!
Getting "Idol" gold
is tougher...

You want to sing
for your life?

...and more touching...
That was moving.

...than ever before.

I wanted this since
I was 6 years old.

Do you guys smell gas?

And don't miss
the most dramatic event...

Everyone, get up
as quickly as possible.

Wow. You can
smell it, right?

...in "Idol" history.