American Idol (2002–…): Season 18, Episode 2 - 302 (Auditions) - full transcript

♪♪

Katy:
Alright, hello, Savannah.

I love this city.
Me too.

You know,
this is the place

where they shot the movie
"Forrest Gump."

Isn't that
Luke's favorite movie?

It was like watching
my favorite movie.

It was like the first time
I saw "Forrest Gump."

[ Echoing ] "Forrest Gump,"
"Forrest Gump," "Forrest Gump."

[ Soft music plays ]

♪♪



Luke: Mama always said,

"Auditions are like
a box of chocolates.

Ya never know
what you're gonna get."

♪♪

Caramel.

That's what I'm talkin' about.

You're definitely
going to Hollywood.

♪♪

Nougat?

Not quite
what I'm lookin' for.

Thanks for comin' out.

It's gonna be a no.

♪♪

[ Siren wails in distance ]



Is he gonna sit there
all day?

Don't worry,
I got it figured out.

♪♪

♪♪

This is gonna take
forever!

Run, Luke! Run!

You're going to Hollywood.

You're definitely
going to Hollywood.

Coconut? No.

[ "I'm On My Way" plays ]

♪ I'm watchin' from my window ♪

♪ The curtain comin' down ♪

♪ A blue as black as morning ♪

♪ A silence like a sound ♪
Luke: I can't help
but see myself

in a lot of these young kids
in the audition process ‐‐

very, very raw.

♪ That bird so high
above the fray ♪

♪ What should he mean to me? ♪

Man: I feel
a little underprepared,

but I think
I'm gonna do pretty well.

♪ I don't know
where I'm going ♪

Luke: It's just
such a great format

to push kids
out of the nest

and really move the needle
with music.

♪ Lord, if you love me ♪

♪ Keep me, I pray ♪

Man: Dear Lord,
we just thank you for this day.

We thank you for Cyniah,

and we ask
that all nervousness

will be dismissed
at this time, O God.

And all the contestants,
even, God.

We pray for everybody
that's performing, God.

But we ask a special blessing
upon Cyniah.

‐Amen.
‐Amen.

[ Applause ]

Ryan:
Well, done. I like it.

"We pray for everybody,

but a little more
for you."

[ Laughter ]

"God, if you're listening,
just..."

[ Laughter ]

Well, here we go.

♪ Ooh‐ooh‐ooh‐ooh
ooh ooh ♪

Hi!
Hey.

Luke: Hello.

Katy: Hello.
Hi.

Love the elephant bells.

Thank you.
Katy: Yes.

God, I had a pair like that.
[ Chuckles ]

Whew.
Katy: What's your name?

Cyniah Elise.

Well, where are you from,
and how young are you?

Well,
I'm 17 years old,

and I'm from
Atlanta, Georgia.
Lionel: Wow.

Yes, ATL.
Hey, come on.

17? Wow.
[ Chuckles ]

Katy: Ready to take
on the world, I hope.

I am.

Okay, so, of all the places
that you could make it,

why did you choose
"American Idol"?

I've been watching
"American Idol"

since I was, like,
[Chuckling] right here.

And so I'm finally
old enough.

I also had one of my videos
to go viral.

‐Really?
‐Yes.

It reached
4 million people.

So I was like,
"Why not the world?"

What video went viral?

Well,
I come from a singing family,

so we all were standing around
the piano on Thanksgiving.

[ Electronic piano plays ]
Katy: What song was it?

Cyniah:
"Change Me, O God."

♪ Cha‐a‐a‐nge me ♪

Katy: Oh, wow.
So, it was a gospel song.
Yes.

And my cousin just posted it
on his Facebook.

We didn't expect
nothing from it,

but, next thing you know,
it just blew up ‐‐

4 million.
[ Laughter ]

You woke up
the next morning,

and you were like,
"What?!"

I was shook, I was shook.
I was shook.
[ Laughter ]

Wow. That's awesome.

Congratulations.
Thank you.

What are you gonna sing
today?

"You Are The Reason"
by Calum Scott.

Awesome. Go ahead.

♪♪

Oh, shh, shh.

♪♪

♪ There goes my heart
beating ♪

♪ And you are the reason ♪

♪♪

♪ I'm losing my sleep ♪

♪ Please come back now ♪

♪ I'd climb every mountain ♪

♪ Swim every ocean ♪

Come on, now.

♪ Just to be with you ♪

♪ And fix what I've broken ♪

♪ 'Cause I need you ♪

♪ To see ♪

♪ That you are
the reaso‐o‐o‐n ♪

Ah.

♪ I need you to hold me
tonight, yeah ♪

Sing it, girl.

♪ I don't wanna fall ♪

♪ I need you to hold me
toni‐i‐ght ♪

♪ 'Cause I need you ♪

♪ To see ♪

♪ That you are the reason ♪

Oh, my God.

[ Applause ]
Thank you.

Love that.

Thank you.

Hallelujah.

‐[ Chuckles ]
‐Hallelujah.

Finally,
the Lord has blessed us.

You know what?

We are so happy
to see you.
Lord.

I'm happy to see y'all.
Do you understand ‐‐

What we have to listen to,
to get to you?
[ Laughs ]

Oh.
Well,
I want to tell you,

that was
an excellent performance.

Thank you.

You remind me very much

of watching
the phenomenon of Whitney

when she first
came up.

Wow.

You just have
such control

and mastery
of your voice,

it was almost
effortless.

Thank you.
Katy: Luke?

It's just natural for you.

I mean, we ‐‐ I see why
you got 4 million views,

you know, at the snap
of a finger.

But really just tastefully done
from "A" to "Z."

Thank you.
[ Chuckles ]

Let's open the door
and watch.

Katy: Um, Cyniah,
when you went up those levels,

like, little bit by bit...

Yes.
Katy:
...it was so wonderful...

Thank you.
Katy:
...because when you thought

maybe you would stop,

you just went
one notch higher.

And it makes
people's heart open

when you go there,
you know?

You know,
here's the thing ‐‐

you're 17,
you sing gospel songs.

It's amazing.

I have
some of the same history.

It's gonna be about developing
who you are as an artist,

and not just
as a phenomenal singer.

Let's take a vote.

Alright.

♪ Think about it ♪
Go ahead.

Oh, I voted when she first
opened her mouth.

[ Laughs ]
I voted right away.

That was a clear yes.

Mom's losing it over here.
Wait, wait, wait, now.

♪ Without it ♪

I'm gonna say yes.

♪ Life is wasted time ♪
Hey, hey!

Yes.

All:
You're going to Hollywood!

♪ Look inside your heart ♪
[ All cheering ]

♪ And I'll look inside mine ♪

♪ Things look so bad
everywhere ♪

Thank you, thank you,
thank you!

♪ In this whole world,
what is fair? ♪

Come get this
right here!

♪ We walk the line
and try to see ♪
[ Cheering continues ]

How are you?
How are you?

♪ Fallin' behind ♪

Now, how many singers
are in the family?

‐The whole family.
‐The whole family.

Congratulations.
You got her.

And now we know what
season 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8

is gonna be...

Laughter ]
...'cause I want ‐‐

I want
the rest of the family

to come back, one by one,
alright?

‐Yes.
‐Fabulous.

Amazing.
Congratulations.

[ Cheers ]

Bye, y'all.
Congratulations.

Bye, y'all. Bye.

[ All cheering ]

Oh, my God.

What a voice.

♪ Bring me a higher love ♪

♪ Bring me a higher love ♪

Ryan:
Over the next two hours,

stay with us
for the audition experience

that only "Idol" can deliver.

I saw your whole life...

Lionel: Mm‐hmm.
...in that performance.

I like you!

♪ It's that higher love ♪
[ Laughter ]

[ Vocalizing high note ]

[ Alarm blaring ]

Everyone, get up
as quickly as possible.

♪ Bring me ♪
[ All squealing ]

You officially brought
the barbecue sauce.

Oh! This train's
gettin' rollin'.

Let's go sing in the streets
right now.

Don't go away.

"Idol" returns in 60 seconds.

♪♪

Kay Genyse, you're a star.

No, you're the star.

Yes, yes, yes,
I love that, love that.

[ Snapping fingers ]

Listen to me, girl,
you got this.

You're giving me
cheetah print,

you're giving me gold,
you're giving me life!

Honey, give me life!

When it comes time to sing,
focus on that song.

Make that your thing,
right there.
Mm‐hmm.

'Cause you got a lot
going on.
Yeah.

Don't let all this...

Cloud my head.
...get in the way of this.

You go in, you be you.

♪♪

Well, hello, everybody!

Lionel: Okay!
Luke: There's our caffeine.

Here we go.

There we go.
Hello, everyone.

[ Chuckles ]

My name is Kay Genyse,

and I am 19 years old

and I am from
High Point, North Carolina.

And you're here to...

Win...sing...perform...

and give you the life.

Wow.
Hallelujah.

Bring it to the table,
sister.

[ Jewelry jingling ]
Honestly...

Whew.
...look, people think
they can just come in here

and sing good
and get through.
[ Sighing ] Oh.

We need
some dang personality.

Tell me a little bit
about your story.

Why do you think
you're the next American Idol?

Well, I was working
at Food Lion,

and this girl sent me a D. M.
and she goes,

"You should try out
for 'American Idol.'"

So, then, two days later,

I ended up getting
this fortune cookie,

and it had, like,
a little fortune in it.

And I put the fortune cookie
in my hair.

Don't you tell me...
Oh, my goodness.

Yes, she did.
What did she do?

Listen, we be hiding
things everywhere.

I know about that.
What did she just do?

You ain't got a $20
up in there, do ya?
Okay.

[ Chuckles ]

Her fortune cookie says,

"Your talents will be
recognized and rewarded."

‐Recognized?
‐Wow. What ‐‐

And soon...

Rewarded.

No way.
God has a plan.

Come on.
He has a way.

God is not
a god of confusion.

You're right.
That's right.

So, let's see, let's see.

Okay.
Well, alright.

Luke: Alright.
Don't let us down, Kay.

Please make me
believe in magic.

‐Okay.
‐What you gonna sing today?

So, today I'm gonna be singing
"Mercy" by Duffy.

Cool. Go for it.

Bring it to us.

♪♪
[ Snapping fingers ]

Come on, now.

♪♪

♪ Well, I love you ♪

♪ But I gotta stay true ♪

♪ I'm on my knees ♪

♪ I'm begging, please ♪

♪ Stop playing ga‐a‐mes ♪

♪ I don't know what this is ♪

♪ But you do it good ♪

♪ Just like you knew you could ♪

♪ I don't know what this is ♪

♪ But you do it well ♪

♪ I'm under your spell ♪

♪ You got me beggin' you
for mercy ♪

Come on!

♪ Why won't you release me? ♪

Hey, hey!

♪ You got me beggin' you
for mercy ♪

♪ Why won't you release me? ♪

♪ I said, release me ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ I'm beggin' you ♪

Okay!

Kay...
[ Music stops ]

Go grab your mark.

Okay.

I love your personality.

I love the energy
and the joy

and the confidence
that you bring.

You're a little bit pitchy.

I really want you
to know

that your showmanship
is fantastic.

But it's just that
I'm not getting

what you're trying
to deliver.

I can't get your voice
to give me your showmanship.

Luke: Yeah, Kay,
I think you're, like,

this bright, beautiful
little shining light

that deserves
to be on stage,

but I think the voice
has to truly catch up

with the ability
to hold the room.

I remember,
I used to do all these antics

because my voice
hadn't gotten there,

and now I've finally
gotten comfortable

where I can just sit up there
and kind of sing a song,

and that holds the room.

And I think
you're a few years

from holding the room
with your voice.

Let's take a vote.

Um...

Please just give me
a chance.

All I need
is just one chance.

I learn so fast.

[ Chuckles ]
One chance.

I will work on my diaphragm,
my breathing.

[ Both chuckle ]
Y'all feel it.

Y'all know it's there.
I know it's there.

I just need one shot.

That's all I need.

Kay, um, I'm forced
to go with my gut.

It's ‐‐
It's a no for me.

Okay.

Katy, are you gonna give me
a shot, girl?

Just one shot?

I'll do a cartwheel.

Girl, I know you'd do
a cartwheel.

Okay, you want to sing
for your life?

Yes.
Katy: You want to ‐‐

You want to be the winner
of "American Idol"?

Yes.
I will sing for my life.

Katy:
Will you do anything we say?

‐Yes.
‐Great.

Let's go to the streets.
‐Okay.

Let's go sing in the streets
right now.

Okay.

If the people say "yes,"

you'll get a yes
from me.

And then you have to do
whatever Papa Lionel says.

Let's go.

I don't know
what we're doing,

but we're doing it.

Come on, you got to sing
for your life.

Katy, what are you
getting us into?

[ Soft elevator music plays ]

You're so
full of personality.

I love it.
Thank you.

‐Thanks, people.
‐Hi.

Let's do this.

Katy: Hey, over here!
We need you.
We need you guys.

How are you?
Great. Alright.

‐Hi.
‐Alright, we need you over here.

We're gonna put you
in the show.

You've heard of
the show "American Idol"?

Nah.

[ Laughter ]

That was very good,
that was very good.

You've heard of
Lionel Richie.

You've heard of
Luke Bryan.

Where's Luke?
I'm right here, Katy.

Here's Luke,
right behind you.

You've never heard
of this girl named Kay.

Okay?
You've never
heard of her.

We are on the fence

about letting her
go through to Hollywood,

and we would like for you
to tell us "yea" or "nay."

Here we go.
Listen.

Kay's fate
is in your hands.

No pressure.
Okay?

‐No pressure.
‐'Kay?

‐Alright, hold‐‐
‐Sing for your life.

‐You get on this side.
‐Let's do it.

Can everybody
clap their hands for me?

‐Okay. Alright.
‐Oh.

[ Rhythmic clapping ]
♪ Doom‐doom‐doom doom ♪

♪ Doom‐doom‐doom doom ♪

♪ I love you ♪

♪ And I gotta stay true ♪

Lionel: Come on, now.

♪ And I'm on my knees ♪

♪ I'm begging, please ♪

Hoh!

♪ Stop playing ga‐a‐a‐mes ♪

♪ I don't know what this is,
but you do it well ♪

♪ I'm under your spell ♪

‐Come on.
‐Whoo!

♪ You got me begging you
for mercy ♪

‐Let's sing it. Come on!
‐Whoo!

♪ Why won't you release me? ♪

Come on!

♪ You got me beggin' you
for mercy ♪

Come on!

♪ Why won't you release me? ♪

‐Whoo
‐Come on!

♪ I said, relea‐ea‐ea‐se me ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

[ Cheers and applause ]

Okay, so,
all those that think

she should go to the next level,
to Hollywood,

say, "Yeah!"

All: Yeah!

‐Whoo!
‐Whoo!

Okay, okay.

Luke said no.

I said, "I love it."

I want her
to go to Hollywood.

[ Cheers and applause ]

It's Katy's decision now.

Listen, listen.

I need you to bring it more
with your voice

when you go
to Hollywood.

♪ I do my hair toss,
check my nails ♪
[ Cheers and applause ]

♪ Baby, how you feelin'? ♪

♪ Feelin' good as hell ♪

♪ Hair toss, check my nails ♪

♪ Baby, how you feelin'? ♪

♪ Feelin' good as hell ♪
Wait, wait, wait.

[ Cheers and applause ]

♪ Feelin' good as hell ♪

There you go.

♪ Feelin' good as hell ♪

♪ Woo, girl,
need to kick off your shoes ♪

Hey, anybody know of a good
local happy hour anywhere?

No, no, no,
we have to go back to work.

Yeah,
we got to go back to work.
We've got other people.

We have other dreams
to make or break.

‐Go to work, right.
‐That was perfect.

I just sung
my little heart out.

When I said
I'd sing for my life,

I sung for my life.

And then they gave me this.

♪ Feelin' good as hell ♪
♪ Baby, how you feelin'? ♪

♪ Feelin' good as hell ♪
I'm going to Hollywood.
[ Laughs ]

[ Chuckles ]

You got to shake it up
sometimes.

Man, that was magical.
I loved that.

She was fighting
for her right.
She did, though.

She did.
Takin' it to the street.

I love it.
♪ Takin' it
to the street ♪

[ Vocalizing ]

♪ Takin' it to the street ♪

♪ Takin' it to the street ♪

Welcome back to
the "American Idol" tryouts.

♪ Well ♪

♪ In ♪

♪ Hey ♪

♪ Don't you remember? ♪

You got to sing it
with conviction.

Let me just coach it up.

Let me ‐‐ Let me kind of
coach you up here.

Let us kind of
strip it down

a little bit.
Mm‐hmm.

♪ I'm beautiful in my way ♪

‐Slow down.
‐Slow down?

♪ I'm beautiful
in this way ♪

See how
she sacrifices...
♪ I'm ♪

...beauty in her face.

‐Mm‐hmm.
‐Wow.

I think I still look good
when I sing.

Well, but you're ‐‐
You do. You look great.

Anyway.

Y‐you just got to rough up
the edges a little bit.

Bring us the attitude.

Open your mouth more.

Just pop a little more.

Again.

Sing exactly
how you felt.

Emote.
Just pop.

Let all that energy out.

Do a couple jumping jacks.

[ Up‐tempo symphonic music
plays ]

Stop thinking about it.

You have a good voice.

And now you're
going to do it again.

Yeah!

Do it again, man.

Again!

On their quest to assemble
the perfect squad,

maybe the judges
need to look...

[ 2 Unlimited's
"Get Ready for This" plays ]

...to the sidelines.

My name is Kyle Tanguay.

I'm 21 years old,

and I'm from
Rochester, New Hampshire.

♪ Y'all ready for this ♪

♪♪

Currently, I'm a cheerleader
with the Philadelphia Eagles.

The entire Philadelphia Eagles
cheerleading squad is here.

All: Kyle, the next Idol!

There are only
a handful of male cheerleaders

in the NFL right now.

[ Whistle blows ]

I'm the first to be dancing
alongside the girls.

So, clearly,
you're a performer,

but do you have
much experience singing?

No, I've actually
never had

a private vocal lesson
in my life.

So, what inspired you
to take that first step, then,

to come
to "American Idol"?

I think it was from
making the Eagles.

It really inspired me
to step outside my comfort zone.

[ Men grunting ]
That team is my family.

They're definitely my sisters,
my ride‐or‐dies.

And it's nice to have
that support.

Do you guys think he can be
the next American Idol?

All: Yes!

[ Marching‐band drums play ]

[ Whistle blows ]

Tell us
how you're feeling.

I am excited, I'm nervous,
I'm freaking out,

but I'm happy
that you guys are here.

[ All cheer ]

I've never had the chance
to really sing out,

so today is
a big test for me,

to see where this can go.

[ Marching‐band drums play ]
Lionel: Wait a minute. What?

Wow!
What, what, what?
What?

♪♪

What?
A lot of pom‐poms.

[ Pom‐poms rustling ]
That's like
a sound machine.

Can y'all do that,
and I'll just go to sleep?

‐Hello. [ Chuckles ]
‐[ Laughs ]

Hello. Who are you?

Um, my name is Kyle Tanguay,

and I am a huge fan of you,
so...

[ Laughs ]
Oh, thanks.

Are you a cheerleader?
Kyle: Yeah.

I actually auditioned
for the squad this year

and became one of the first
male Eagles cheerleaders

in the history
of the organization.

Oh, the Philadelphia Eagles!

‐Yes!
‐Okay, got it.

[ Laughter ]

Well, give us
a little something.

Yes!       Yes!
Yes!                        Yes!

Let's set the tone
for him to win.

Kyle: Yes!

Yes!       Yes!
Yes!                        Yes!

5, 6, 7, 8.

All: Kyle, Kyle!

The next American Idol!

Kyle, Kyle...
There you go.

...the next American Idol!

[ Laughs ] Alright.

Yeah!

[ Applause ]

Wow, Kyle.

Thank you.

Well, um, what happens
if he doesn't go through?

Are you gonna beat us up?
What's happening?

[ Laughter ]

I feel like it's gonna ‐‐
They're gonna ‐‐

They're gonna pom‐pom us
to death.

[ Laughter ]
"Attack of the Cheerleaders."

[ Laughter ]

Oh, my gosh.
[ Imitating "Psycho"
shower‐scene music ]

I want to see that movie,
"Attack of the Cheerleaders."

[ Dramatic music plays ]

[ Woman screams ]

I just made it up in my mind.

[ Laughter ]
Um, okay, Kyle,

I'm excited to hear
what you are going to sing.

"Mercy" by Shawn Mendes today.

Oh, really?
Awesome. Okay.

Alright, Kyle, go for it.

♪♪

♪ Please have mercy on me ♪

♪ Take it easy on my heart ♪

♪ Even though
you don't mean to hurt me ♪

♪ You keep tearin' me apart ♪

♪ Would you please have mercy ♪

♪ Mercy ♪

♪ On my heart? ♪

♪ Would you please have mercy ♪

♪ Mercy ♪

♪ On my heart? ♪

♪ Consumin' all the air
inside my lungs ♪

♪ Rippin' all the skin
from off my bones ♪

♪ I'm prepared
to sacrifice my life ♪

♪ I would gladly do it
twi‐i‐i‐ce ♪

Katy: Whoo!

♪ Oh, please have mercy
on me ♪

That's the spot, there.

Mm‐hmm.

♪ Take it easy on my heart ♪

♪ Even though
you don't mean to hurt me ♪

Katy: Whoo!

♪ You keep tearin' me apart ♪

♪ Would you please have mercy ♪

♪ Mercy ♪

♪ On my hea‐ea‐rt? ♪

Ah.

[ Cheers and applause ]

O‐M‐G.

This one right here
loves you.

Is your biggest fan.

[ Laughter ]

She's like ‐‐

like,
from the first note ‐‐

I watched you ‐‐
you went...

Gush, gush,
Gush, gush.
...[High‐pitched voice]
Oh, oh, oh!

[ Laughter ]
He was so good!

Gush, gush.
I'm so proud.

So, you have
a spot in your voice

that it's your zone.

Go ahead.
Can we take this song

up one key, please?

Yeah.

♪♪

♪ Consumin' all the air
inside my lungs ♪

♪ Rippin' all the skin
from off my bones ♪

♪ I'm prepared
to sacrifice my life ♪

♪ I would gladly do it
twi‐i‐i‐ce ♪

♪ Oh, please have mercy on me ♪

See?
There you go.

Yeah.
[ Music stops ]

Um, you got to pick
the right key.

I just have
only one major question.

How do you start out
with the Eagles cheering squad?

[ Laughter ]

And then they're crying
on your first song.

[ Laughter ]
I mean, what the heck?

Now, this is
your first time out,

singing at all?

Yeah.
Okay, well...

You don't sing at coffee shops
or open mics or bars or...

Never.

Ooh! You are a ‐‐

Now, now ‐‐
A virgin.

Yes.

[ Laughter ]

You know,
people always ask me, you know,

"Did you start out in church?"

"No."
"What did you..."

I said, "I'm ‐‐
I came out of the shower

and onto the stage
with the Commodores."

And ‐‐ And I know that sounds
really weird, but...

It's true?

...you know,
some people just have...

‐Yeah.
‐...that shower touch.

Let's vote.

[ Shawn Mendes' "There's Nothing
Holdin' Me Back" plays ]

You've got some work
to do.

It's not gonna be
an easy route.

Mm‐hmm.
But if you can
grow fast ‐‐

really fast ‐‐
you're gonna do pretty well.

I'm a yes.

Wow. There we go.

Yeah! [ Chuckles ]

Kyle, obviously,
you have no previous experience,

and sometimes that's good.

But you do need
to pick the right keys.

You need to keep it interesting
from the first note on, okay?

Yes.

But I personally
am a fan of you.

Aah!

[ Cheering ]

Rah, rah, sis boom bah.
Yes!

[ Cheering ]

Kyle:
Oh, my gosh, this is...

So, know you've got
some stiff competition.

But from one shower singer
to another,

it's a yes.

[ Cheering ]

♪ There's nothing
holding me back ♪

Yes! Can I hug you?

Oh...my...God!

♪ There's nothing
holdin' me back ♪

[ Cheering ]

Lionel:
What, what? What?

‐Oh, my gosh.
‐Whoa!

Thanks, guys.
So ‐‐ So ‐‐
So, wait, now, wait.

So ‐‐ So, the team wants me
and Luke to play?

[ Laughter ]

Katy: Alright,
cheer your way out.

You're on your way.

[ Cheering ]

You got it!

Kyle: Whoo! Thank you!

I got the golden ticket,

handed to me
by Katy Perry herself.

It was so awesome.

And for them to believe in me
is even better.

♪ There's nothing
holdin' me back ♪

Luke, check it out.

Yeah, boy.

It's a badass team.

Perry, Richie, Eagles.

All:
We're going to Hollywood!

Kyle:
I will be extremely nervous,

but I'm just gonna trust
my heart.

It's gotten me this far.

♪ Baby, there's nothing
holdin' me back ♪

All:
Hollywood, here he comes!

Woman:
He is truly number one!

He is truly number one!

[ Cheering ]

♪♪

Katy: What a day!

Luke: Nice and sunny.

[ Laughs ]
And cold,

and cold in this place.

But you know what?
That's okay,
the sun is shining through.

I love the freshness
of this whole thing.

We've got the greatest
contestants.

I saw them outside.
They're so nervous.

Katy: And all their families
are with them, for sure.

Tons of family members.

Luke: For your families
to make the trek

through the wilderness
of Oregon...
[ Laughs ]

They came from all over
to come to...

♪ Sunriver, Oregon ♪

I love it.
Sunriver.

Where it's sunny,
even in the winter.

Bring 'em on.

♪♪

How y'all doin'?
Hey!

Welcome to the show.

Tell us your name
and your age.

I'm Jovin Webb, I'm 28,

and I'm from
Gonzales, Louisiana.

So, uh,
tell us about your life,

your adventures,
uh, growing up.

Um, I actually went through
a dark time.

I lost my mother.

And it really brought me
to a dark place.

[ NEEDTOBREATHE'S
"Count on Me" plays ]

My mother
was everything to me.

She was my backbone,

like, no matter if it was
football practice,

basketball, Boy Scouts.

Anything I did,
she was there.

♪ I will bring you in ♪

♪ From the cold ♪

In 2012,
I had just graduated college.

It was a Sunday,

and my mom was getting ready
to go to church.

And I found her passed out
and I'm, like, freaked out.

We called ‐‐ you know, called
the ambulance and everything.

And, uh, she was okay.

They got there, and everything
was perfectly fine.

And then, through the night,
um, God took her away.

♪♪

♪ When you lose,
when you rush ♪

♪ When you don't feel
strong enough ♪

She was my biggest fan.

♪♪

And one person
that truly loves you.

You know what I mean?

♪♪

Worst day of my life...by far.

Yeah, that's the worst day
of my life.

♪♪

I didn't want to be here
anymore.

So I was being
very self‐destructive, man.

I would go out looking for ways
to numb the pain.

Could be a million people
in the room, I still felt alone.

My son was my savior.

[ Choir vocalizing ]

When my son was born,

there was, like, a whole bunch
of emotions and feelings

that I forgot I had,

and just welled up in tears.

And that's when I realized,
"Enough is enough.

I got to tighten up
my bootstraps, be a man,

and take care of everything
I need to take care of."

♪ Come what may,
come what might ♪
Yeah!

♪ Everybody falls down
sometimes ♪

I don't want him
to ever be afraid.

I don't ever want him
to feel alone.

♪ You can count on me ♪
See who this is?

♪ Yeah, you can count on me ♪
This is my mom.

Oh, my gosh.
Oh, my gosh.

♪♪

My reason to be here
is to show my son that,

anything you want out of life,
you can get it.

Welcome
to "American Idol."

If my mama could do it,
I can do it.

♪ Ooh ooh ooh ♪
I feel like you're here
for good reasons.

I feel like ‐‐
Great ones, man.

And ‐‐ And a lot of people
will hear your story

and ‐‐ and understand
where you're coming from

and root for you.

And now all you got to do
is sing.

[ Chuckles ]
That's what I'm here for, man.

Now it's the easy part.
I will give it to them,
man.

♪ Yeah,
you can count on me ♪

Lionel: Do you gig?

I mean,
do you gig around, uh...

Yeah, I‐I'm finally
a full‐time musician.

I do a lot of shows from
New Orleans to Baton Rouge.

So, you're singing full time
now, huh?

Finally, finally.
Very good.
Congratulations on that.

So, tell us what
you're gonna do for us today.

Today, I'mma be singing

"Whipping Post"
by the Allman Brothers.

Wow. Okay.

Let's go for it.
Alright.

♪♪

♪ Mm, mmm‐mmm ♪

♪♪

♪ I've been run down ♪

Mmm!
Mm‐hmm.

♪ I've been lied to ♪

♪ And I don't know why
I let that old woman ♪

♪ Make me a fool ♪

♪ She took
all of my money ♪

♪ Wrecked my new car ♪

♪ And now she's with
one of my good ol' buddies ♪

♪ Drinkin' at some
cross‐town bar ♪

♪ Sometimes I feel ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ Sometimes I fee‐ee‐l ♪

♪ Like I've been tied ♪

♪ To the whippin' post ♪

♪ Lord, I'm tied ♪

♪ To the whippin' post ♪

♪ Oh, I'm tied ♪

♪ To the whippin' post ♪

♪ And, good Lord,
I feel like I'm dyin' ♪

Yes, sirree, buddy.
[ Laughs ]

[ Chuckling ]

[ Laughs ]

Whoo‐whoo!
[ Chuckles ]

♪ My friends tell me ♪

♪ That I've been a fool ♪

♪ But I have to stand 'round
and take it, baby ♪

♪ All from lovin' you ♪

♪ I drown myself in sorrow ♪

♪ As I look at
what you've done ♪

♪ Nothing seems to change ♪

♪ It all stays the same ♪

♪ And I can't run ♪

♪ Sometimes I feel ♪

Go on, now.
♪ Yeah ♪

Love his "Yeah."

♪ Sometimes I fee‐ee‐l ♪

♪ Lord, I've been tied ♪

♪ To the whippin' post ♪

♪ I'm tied ♪

♪ To the whippin' post ♪

♪ Oh, I'm tied ♪

♪ To the whippin' post ♪

♪ And, good Lord,
I feel like I'm dyin' ♪

[ Music stops ]

[ Sighs ]

♪♪

You officially brought
the barbecue sauce...

[ Laughs ]

...to "American Idol."
Oh, man.

Do you understand?
Whoo.

I don't have to say a lot,

except that is what
barbecue sauce sounds like.

That's life.

That was moving.

Thank y'all.

B.B. King told me once

that it's hard
to sing the blues

in the back seat
of a limousine.

In this case,

you're coming
from the ground floor.

That was so real.
Katy: Yeah.

There's nothing
we have to educate you on.

Just bring more of that.

That's the closest
I've ever heard ‐‐

And it's something only
Louisiana could create, too.

I mean...
I mean, it's amazing.

...absolute
instant identity.
[ Laughs ]

We knew where you were,
from the first note on.

Man, I could sit
and drink a lot of bourbon

listening to that voice.
[ Laughs ]

Thank y'all so much.
Thank y'all.
Man, just ‐‐

I saw your whole life...
Mm‐hmm.

...in that performance.

It was perfect.

Thank y'all.

Kate‐ay?

I got chills
in my...cheekbones.

[ Laughs ]

And I've had
so much Botox,

I didn't even know...

[ Laughter ]

Literally, it's like
I drank some kind of elixir,

and you ignited parts of me
I had never felt before.

[ Laughs ]

All of your pain
that you've been through,

we believe you.

And, like, we're locked in
with you because of it.

I mean, it's so ‐‐
it's so true, it's so real.

It's a God‐given gift
inside of you.

Thank you.
Katy: Yeah.

I just cannot wait
to see your journey or ‐‐

first of all,
I can't wait to vote...

[ Chuckles ]

...to figure out where
that journey is gonna be.

Agree.

[ Hollis Brown's
"Run Right to You" plays ]

Judges:
You're going to Hollywood!

♪ I wanna bring it to you ♪
Whew.

Come take this golden ticket

to the rest of your life,
my friend.

♪♪

♪ I wanna play it for you ♪

There you go.
You deserve it.

A pleasure meeting you.
Yeah.

Mr. Commodores himself.
You got such a great ‐‐

Come on.
Such a great look.

♪ I've been lookin' ♪

♪ Oh, I've been lookin' ♪

♪ Oh ♪
Unh! Yes!

Yes. Yes.

Whatever bar he's at,

I'm ‐‐ I'm flying my plane
there.

"I'm flying my jet
to that bar."

I ‐‐ I don't have a jet.
I have a plane.

This is for my kid,
bringing this home.

♪ Run to you now ♪

I'm going to Hollywood!

♪ Baby ♪

♪♪

Do you guys smell gas?

Propane.
Uh‐huh.

It's pretty intense.

We're getting
heavy propane.

Heavy.

And almost kinda
feeling it.
Yeah.

[ Sniffs ]

Heavy gas.

Or even a slight leak,
if you want the truth.

I don't know. I have, like,
a slight headache from it.

It's pretty intense.

You feel it?
Ooh, it's bad.

It's really bad.
Okay.

Katy:
It's pretty bad.

Yeah, check it
right here, guys.

[ Siren wails ]

I'm gonna make sure
you're okay.

Katy:
I'm not feeling good.

[ Siren wails ]

Do you guys smell gas?
Propane.

Uh‐huh.
It's pretty intense.

We're getting
heavy propane.
Heavy.

Or even a slight leak,
if you want the truth.

I don't know. I have, like,
a slight headache from it.

You feel it?
Ooh, it's bad.

It's really bad.

[ Alarm blaring ]

I need everyone to get up
and follow me

as quickly as possible.

‐Let's go, let's go.
‐This isn't a fire drill.

Okay.
Is it something that ‐‐

I'm not ‐‐
Do I still audition...

[ Siren wails ]

[ Dramatic music plays ]

Wow.
You can smell it, right?

Luke:
Smell it out here.
Holy crap.

♪♪

Luke:
Hey, this is not a joke.

There really is
a gas leak.

Man: I'm gonna make sure
you're okay.

I'm not feeling good.
Oh, Katy.

Man: We were called here today
at the set of "American Idol"

because there was a gas leak.

When we got here,
everybody was rushing out.

Oh, Katy. Oh, wait.
Alright, alright.

There was something wrong

with the pilot lights
in the kitchen,

and that problem
has been mitigated,

and the building is safe
to enter now.

You guys, honestly.

We all did get
a little headache.

Truly, we all got
a little lightheaded.
It was bad there.

Chuck saved
Katy Perry's life.
[ Chuckles ]

Pretty big deal.
I did ‐‐ I did nothing.

You saved me!

[ Laughter ]
We all ‐‐ Oh.

With the judges
safe and sound,

it's time to celebrate.

What's the word?

♪ All night long ♪

Katy:
♪ All night, all night ♪

♪ All night long ♪

♪ All night ♪

Katy: ♪ All night ♪
Luke: ♪ All night ♪

♪ All night long ♪

♪ All night ♪
♪ All night ♪

♪ All night long ♪

♪ All night ♪
♪ All night ♪

[ Laughter ]
♪ Everyone you meet ♪

♪ They're jammin'
in the street ♪

Wait.
Where you going, Katy?

These guys,

they saved the future
of "American Idol."

No way!

‐No.
‐No.

And our lives.

‐No way.
‐Two more, two more.

Lionel: Two more.
Oh, we got some more.

These are the captains
and the lieutenants.

‐Yes, sir!
‐[ Chuckles ]

‐Thank you, guys!
‐Thank you so much, guys.

You get golden tickets.

You're going to Hollywood!
'Cause you saved our lives.

‐Thank you so much.
‐We're going to Hollywood.

‐Oh, that's so great.
‐Incredible.

Somebody take the picture
right over here.

[ Camera shutter clicks ]
♪ All night long ♪

♪ All night ♪
♪ Oh‐oh oh ♪

So, all is well
in Sunriver, Oregon.

♪ All night ♪

But over in Milwaukee,

someone else sounded the alarm.

Whoo! Whoo! Whoo!

Ooooh‐wah!

♪ Diction is done with the tip
of the tongue and the teeth ♪

Whoo‐oo!

Before I perform,
I do a ton of vocal warm‐ups.

♪ Nyah‐nyah‐nyah,
nyah nyah ♪

It really gets your voice into
the right position for singing,

with your cords and your larynx,

and then it's also just
amazingly fun to do.

And you feel
kind of ridiculous,

but it's kind of liberating
at the same time.

♪ Oooooooooooh ♪

[ Chuckles ]

♪ Whoo‐ooo
whoo‐ooooooo ♪

♪ Ooh ♪
It's that upside‐down one.
Absolutely.

I'm Claire Jolie Goodman.

I'm 16 years old,

and I'm from
Mount Prospect, Illinois.

♪ Don't tell me not to live ♪

♪ Just sit and putter ♪
That's the same thing.

I think I've been ready
to be on Broadway

since I was born.

[ Cheers and applause ]

So, this is all of the songs
that you know?

These are just the ones
I'm singing today.

[ Chuckling ] Oh.

♪♪

♪ I'll march my band out ♪

♪ I'll beat my drum ♪
I remember singing
in the lunchroom

in fourth and fifth grade,

and people
would cover their ears

and yell at me to stop.

And I'm like,
"I'm a good singer.

Why are you telling me
to stop?"

Team Claire!

♪ Whooooo ♪

I'm not like any of these
other pop singers.

And, like,
all respect to them,

I think it's amazing
what they're doing,

but I definitely have
my own unique style.

♪♪

♪ Whoooooo ♪

Lionel: Oh, wow, wow.
[ Applause ]

[ Chuckling ] Thank you.

That was Broadway.

Do you have
a pop‐type song?

Opcione.
Opcione.

Yeah, absolutely.

I can sing "Mamma Mia."

That is Broadway.
That is Broadway.

Broadway.

Um, I'd love to show you guys.

I have an aria prepared.

Ariana Grande?

No, an aria.

Let's ‐‐

Let's hear it.

Alright, thank you.

And I'm gonna be doing this one
a cappella.

So...

♪ Enough, enough ♪

♪ Of being basely tearful ♪

♪ I'll show my noble stuff ♪

♪ By being
bright and cheerful ♪

♪ Ha‐ha‐ha ha ha ♪

♪ Ha ha ha ha ♪

♪ Ha‐ha‐ha ha ♪

♪ Aha, ha‐ha‐ha ha ♪

♪ Ha‐ha‐ha ha‐ha‐ha ha ♪

♪ Ha‐ha ha‐ha‐ha ha ♪

♪ Ha‐ha‐ha‐ha ha ha ♪

♪ Ha ha ha ha ♪

♪ Ha‐ha‐ha ha‐ha ha ♪

♪ Ha...ha... ♪

♪ Ha... ♪

♪ Haaaa‐ah ♪

[ Applause ]

[ Chuckling ]
Thank you.

[ Applause ]

♪ Ha‐ha
ha‐ha‐ha‐ha ha ha ♪

I am nowhere ‐‐
♪ Ha‐ha ha, ha‐ha ♪

[ Laughs ]
I am nowhere ‐‐

That was yes.

So, let me tell you
what I'm really thinking...
Claire: Mm‐hmm.

...so you'll actually know
where you are.
Yeah.

Okay,
you are comfortable

in that style
of singing.

Mm‐hmm.

I would never,
in a million years,

try to change you
out of that.

Sure.

And so, clearly,
this is not your house.

But your voice
is incredible.

Thank you.

And you need to take
that character

of who you are
and make another pivot

to the left or right
and go do that...

Alright.
...because that's where
that voice should be.

Um, if your big dream
is to become a Broadway star,

I think that's what
you should go for.
Absolutely.

We wanted to hear something

a little bit more current
from you.

Okay.

Katy: And I'm not sure
you were ready for that.

I just think you're not shooting
for the right dream.

If you're gonna be
a Broadway star,

you need to go straight
to New York City,

and I think you'd have
a lot of success.

Thank you.
Katy: Yeah.

I want to be
real careful with you,

because you have
tremendous gifts.

Yes.
You have a tremendous
acting personality

that's obviously ingrained
in what you are.

No matter what lyric
somebody writes for me,

when I open my mouth,

it sounds country.

Claire: Yeah.
[ Laughs ]

I cannot have it
any other way.

Do not pass "Go,"
do not collect $200.

Go to Broadway.

Okay.
Let's vote.

Yep.

It's a no
for "American Idol."

It's a yes for Broadway.

[ Chuckling ] Okay.
Ditto.

It's a no
for "American Idol,"

but, "oh, my God,"
for Broadway.

[ Voice breaking ]
Thank you.
It's a no for me,

but really very entertaining
and great job.

Oh.
Thank you so much.

Katy: Thank you.

‐I really appreciate it.
‐Yeah.

Please, come up here.
Thank you.

Thank you so much.
Nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you, too.
So good.

Thank you guys so much.

Alright, darling.
Thank you.

♪ There's a ♪
[ Sniffles ]

♪ Place for us ♪

Here she comes.

‐Hi.
‐Hey.

♪ Somewhere a place ♪
I'm so proud of you.

♪ For us ♪
Thank you.

Claire:
At the end of the day,

I guess I know
that I'm not a pop singer.

And though I am disappointed,

I think it's more important

that I'm staying true
to myself...

...true [Sobs] ‐‐
true to what I love to do.

And I'm still gonna try
to make it on Broadway.

♪ Hold my hand ♪

And I will tell them
that "American Idol" sent me.

♪ And I'll take you there ♪

♪ Somehow ♪

♪ Ahhhhhhhhh ♪

♪ Someday ♪

♪ Ahhhhh ♪

♪ Somewhe‐e‐e‐e‐e‐re ♪

♪ Ahhhhhhhhhh ♪

♪♪

‐Let's get just
a quick shot of you.
‐Okay. Alright.

Man:
That's it exactly.

[ Piano plays "Easy" ]

♪ I know Lionel's standing
in a long hallway ♪

♪ With lights behind him ♪

♪♪

♪ Takin' pictures
for "American Ido‐o‐o‐l" ♪

[ Laughs ]

♪ He's takin' pictures ♪

♪ Ah ah ♪

♪♪

[ Music intensifies ]
There it is.

♪♪

I'm probably not
playing it right.

Where are you at?
You ‐‐

♪♪

I got to learn to blend.

Now, I got to ‐‐

Aw, don't do that.

Don't do that.
Go down, go down.

[Bleep]

♪♪

We'll have this
before the season's over.

Sorry to interrupt.
Sorry.

I'm gonna grab you
to do this shot.
Let's do it.

♪ You're all I need ♪

[ "Sail On" plays ]

♪ Oh, sail on ♪

♪ Honey ♪

♪ Good times
never felt so good ♪

[ Applause ]

Come on, Luke.

♪♪

Let's keep
those good times sailing on

with another musical duo,

featuring a voice
our judges may...

‐Brrrrr!
‐...remember.

Hey, baby.
Hi.

I'm back!

But I'm with my babe.

Hello.
This is my guy.

♪♪

My name is Margie Mays,

and you might recognize me

from the last season
of "American Idol."

Brrrrr!

Brrrrr!
Brrrrr!

Did you just make a box
over your head?

Getting eliminated in Hawaii
was definitely sad.

Margie, you will not be
going forward.

Okay.

Since last season,
I've really ‐‐

I've worked on my craft.

[ Both buzzing lips ]

[ Vocalizing
at high pitch ]

I'm also
a lot more professional,

and I am gonna frick‐‐
I want to own it today.

♪ Let's go ♪

I'm sweating.
[ Laughs ]

How are you?
How you feel?

Literally,
I feel, like, better

that you're here with me.

Like, knowing you're gonna be
standing at the piano,

like, sitting there,
I feel ‐‐
It's so fun.

It makes it fun.
It makes it fun.

My boyfriend ‐‐
his name is Jonny,

and he's gonna play piano
for me.

And we're both auditioning.

Now, last year,
when this happened for her,

what was ‐‐
what was happening with you?

Uh, I was ‐‐ I was
at the audition last year.

[ Bell dings ]

I just was
trying to be supportive,

and I threw up
because I was so nervous.
[ Laughs ]

You ‐‐
Wait, you threw up for her?

That day, yeah, yeah.
That's love.

Margie:
Today the ideal outcome

is that we both get
golden tickets.

I know there's a world

where we both don't get
golden tickets,

and we ‐‐

Don't want to live
in that world.

We don't want to live
in that world.

Good said.

[ Chuckling ]
"Good said."

Lionel: No, right?

Oh, heck, no.
Oh, my God.

Oh, déjà vu, yo!

How you guys doing?

Can we hear
the language?

You want to do it?

Sure.

Brrr!

Brrr!
Brrr!

I can't believe it.
Brrr!

Brrr‐brrr!

Have you been sedated?

You know what?

I'm just, like,
calm this time.

I'm Margie 2.0.

I've worked on my craft,
guys.

And who did you bring
with you today?

This is actually
the love of my life.

‐Ah!
‐Ah! Oh!

Congratulations!
That's a big statement.

Margie: It is a big ‐‐
Yeah, that's my best friend.

We're ‐‐
We're praying for you.

[ Laughter ]

What's his name?

‐This is Jonny.
‐Awesome.

Double trouble.

Okay, let's see
how much you have grown.

Margie: Oh, okay.

Katy: Alright.
Margie: The song is called,
ironically,

"I Found a Boy."
[ Chuckles ]

But I didn't pick it
just 'cause I brought him.

‐Alright, go ahead.
‐Alright.

I love you, by the way.

I love you, too.
Okay.

♪♪

♪ I thought I told you ♪

♪ He'd be home soon ♪

♪ Couldn't help myself ♪

♪ You're too good to be true ♪

♪ I fall short each time ♪

♪ Every time he ain't here ♪

♪ You and your charm
creep closer ♪

♪ Closer and near ♪

♪ Like a fool for fire,
I fall ♪

♪ With my pride and all ♪

♪ Like a bomb before explosion ♪

♪ Tickin' by your ca‐a‐a‐ll ♪

♪ But I found a boy
who I love more ♪

♪ Than I ever did you before ♪

♪ So stand beside
the river I cried ♪

♪ And lay yourself
do‐o‐o‐wn ♪

♪ Look how you want me now ♪

♪ That I do‐o‐o‐n't ♪

♪ Need you ♪

Luke: [ Chuckles ]

Nice.
Mm‐hmm.

Margie: Oh, gosh.

Alright, Margie.

Luke,
what did you think?

[ Sighs ]

Oh.
Well,

pretty much every time
you sang for us last year,

you hit bad notes.

[ Chuckles ]

You didn't hit
one bad note then.

Now, I wouldn't say
that you captured my emotion

wholeheartedly
with that song,

but you ‐‐ you have become
a much better singer.

Thank you.

And that's really
hard to do.

What I was worried
about last year was,

you were a nervous wreck,

to the point
of crash‐landing.

Mm‐hmm.

I like the person that you are,
coming back now.

Thank you.
Katy?

Katy: Um, I've always been
a big fan of you.

That being said,

I didn't think that
that was the right song.
No.

Okay.
Katy: I‐I've seen you choose
better songs...

Mm‐hmm.
...that really pull us in.

Hmm.

Katy: I mean, look,
I like your personality.

I'm not telling you
not to be Margie May.

Totally.
Katy: Don't change.
Don't get serious...

Yeah, yeah.
...'cause that's ‐‐
that's boring.

‐I'm not, I'm not.
‐Can I ‐‐

Margie:
I'm not changed. I just ‐‐

I wanted to be like ‐‐
I'm on a mission today,

and I wanted
to make that clear.

‐Well, let's take a vote.
‐Okay.

I want you
to take us there.

Okay.

It's a yes from me.

I think you can handle this.

Okay.

Katy: Margie, um...

...I didn't feel like
you gave us

what I felt and saw
the first time I met you.

Uh‐huh.
Katy: It's wild
that I'm saying this,

'cause I'm such
a big fan of you,

but it's a no for me.

Okay.

Whew.

Um, I agree with Katy.

Wow.

Hmm.

♪♪

But I'm gonna give you
another shot.

♪ I can't see me ♪
Yes.

You're going to Hollywood.

♪ Lovin' nobody but you ♪

♪ For all my life ♪
Okay.

This time...

♪ When you're with me ♪

...kill it, okay?

♪ Baby,
the skies will be blue ♪

Get out of your head
and into your voice, okay?

♪ For all my life ♪

Alright,
go be Margie Mays.

Alright, bye.
I love you.

You're amazing.
Jonny: Great job.

Did that
come out of your mouth?

‐I love him.
‐I like that. Very good.

He's a pretty amazing guy.

Alright, I love you.
Love you.

Thank you, guys.

Proud of you.

♪ I can't see me ♪

♪ Lovin' nobody but you ♪

Oh! Yes!

♪ For all my life ♪

♪♪

Lionel: How cold?
How cold can it be?

Not cold.
Cold.

Listen, I like people,

but it's called
the music business.

Alright.
This is not against
their personality.

It's about the thing
that they are contributing

to the music business.

Well, you left somebody
in there.

Margie: I know.
What happened to Jonny?

I left him in there.
He's gonna sing for them.

So you can't ‐‐
He's gonna knock them
out of the park.

I know it.

Who are you?

My name's Jonny West.

I'm Margie's boyfriend.

♪♪

Let's hear what you got.

♪♪

It's because of her
that I'm here at all.

That's really sweet,
all of that,

but you need to know,
just understand,

I don't want this for you
and your relationship, but...

♪♪

...this could possibly
change your life.

♪♪

♪ I can't see me
lovin' nobody but you ♪

Well, you left somebody
in there.

What happened to Jonny?
I know.
I left him in there.

He's gonna sing for them.
So you can't ‐‐

He's gonna knock them
out of the park. I know it.

Well, you got the ticket,
so congratulations.
Whoo!

Who are you?

How you guys doing?
My name's Jonny West.

I am 23.

I'm from
Murrieta, California.

♪ Go West, young man ♪

♪ Haven't you been told? ♪

♪ California's
full of whiskey ♪

♪ Women, and gold ♪

Anyway...
That's the one.

Tell us about yourself, there,
Jon West.

Um, I'm Margie's boyfriend,

and I went with her
to her audition last year,

just to support
and, you know, purse‐hold

and root her on,
and then...
"Purse‐hold"?

[ Chuckles ]
...the opportunity ‐‐
"Purse‐hold."

‐I love that.
‐[ Laughs ]

Yeah, "I was just proud
to purse‐hold."

It's excit‐‐
I just was excited for all that.

‐I like you.
‐It was exciting.

[ Laughs ]
Jonny: And then
the opportunity came,

and we both wanted to do it.

And, yeah,
I'm just happy to be here.

Blessed to be here,
for sure.

Look at you holding
that up to his face

when he comes out.

[ Laughter ]
"Look what I got."

‐"Show me yours."
‐"I got mine."

Well, uh, we're excited
to hear you.

What are
you gonna sing today?

Um, I'm gonna sing a song
I wrote.

You gonna do it
on piano?

Yeah, if I may.
Perfect.

Great.

♪♪

♪ You look like you could use ♪

♪ Some extra warmin', baby ♪

♪ And I don't mind,
I could be that guy ♪

♪ To take you on ♪

♪ And you know
I don't wanna be ♪

♪ The only one performin',
baby ♪

♪ So tonight ♪

♪ Inspire me to write
a couple more ♪

♪ Write more songs ♪

♪ From dusk ♪

♪ Until dawn ♪

♪ 'Cause I don't wanna
fall in love ♪

♪ Over and over again ♪

♪ No, I just want you
to feel my lovin' ♪

♪ Tonight you'll be
more than a friend ♪

♪♪

[ Rapping ] ♪ I'mma gonna
break it down a bit ♪

♪ I don't wanna slow‐dance
with a rocket quick ♪

♪ And no time for tricks,
but I'm showing off ♪

♪ I'd like to show you off
to all my friends ♪

♪ Stone‐cold center with
a stone‐cold woman of my own ♪

♪ I'm nothin',
I could use some lovin' ♪

♪ I'm approachin' you,
I'm hopin' you are ♪

♪ Open to a night with me
to go for food ♪

♪ Romance from me,
it is overdue ♪

♪ Take a break from the dudes
all over you ♪

♪ I can play the game
'cause I know the rules ♪

♪ I had you in my sights,
and I chose to shoot ♪

♪ This fella is relivin' all ♪

♪ I got this...
like Nicki Minaj ♪

♪ Not jealous of others,
I'm mellow ♪

♪ This fellow is eloquent,
never been off ♪

♪ I need Cinderella to ball ♪

[ Singing ] ♪ 'Cause I don't
wanna fall in love ♪

♪ Over and over again ♪

♪ I just want you
to feel my lovin' ♪

♪ Tonight you'll be
more than a friend ♪

Ha‐ha‐ha‐ha!

What you think, Katy?

[ Chuckles ]

I get why
she's so obsessed.

She's the best.

You are a silent
but deadly...

Mm.
...killer.

Thank you.

When you sing, it's so pro.

You know how to sing
into the mic,

you know how to enunciate.
Thank you.

Katy: It's good,
the lyrics come out.

The sound is pleasing
to the ear.

Jonny: Wow. Thank you.

Um, you know,

I don't want this for you
and your relationship,

but you may go farther
than Margie.
Mm.

I think she would be very happy
with that, by the way.
Yeah.

It's because of her
that I'm here at all,

so, I mean, anyway ‐‐

No, I get it.

That's really sweet,
all of that.

But you need to know,
just understand...

Mm‐hmm.

...that this is something
that is ‐‐

could possibly
change your life.

Mm.

Cool. Wow.
Thank you.

Lionel?

Jonny West,
I am so happy to see you.

[ Chuckling ]
I'm happy to see you.

I [Chuckles] ‐‐
You have no idea,

artists come through
every once in a while

and anoint us,

and I like the ability

for you to go
left or right

and then straight
down the center.

That rap just took me
out in left field.

I did not know
where you were going

until I realized
you were going.

Mm.

You have everything
"American Idol" needs

to make you
an American Idol.

Wow.
You understand me?

Thank you.
Appreciate it.

Man, that puts you
really close

to the Alejandro lane,
in my opinion.

He's ‐‐ Yeah.

I agree.
I mean, you're ‐‐

Massive compliment.
You're parallel.

That's just special stuff.
Thank you.

Good?
Yeah, let's do it.

Let's vote, you guys.

Yes.

♪♪

Yes.

♪♪

Yes.

Wow.
Thank you, guys.

You're going
to Hollywood.
Appreciate it.

Katy:
Listen, on here, it says

"boyfriend of Margie Mays."

Well, I understand it,
but you are Jonny West.

Thank you so much.

Ryan: So hopefully,

there's two
reflecting off each other.

Whew. Ding.

Here we go.

♪ This millennial love
is something else ♪

Wow.

♪ This millennial love ♪
Yeah?

♪ Is something else ♪
[ All cheering ]

Congratulations.

The dynamic duo
stays together.

♪ But I would do
anything for you ♪

I love you.
I love you.

Congrats.

I feel so proud of him.

I'm proud of you.
I do. I'm so proud of you.

I'm proud of you.
And I love you.

It's a big deal.

That boy is good.

That boy
is really talented.

Thanks to Margie and Jonny,
love is in the air.

And it's something
20‐year‐old Sarah Isen

isn't lacking one bit.

Sarah: Today I'm here
with my two moms,

my biological father,

and nine of
my half‐siblings.

Thank you to all of you guys
for being here.

I know that a lot of you
flew in from out of state.

Whatever happens,
you're just ‐‐

you're our hero.

We love you.
Oh!

God.
I'm your hero?

Oh, now you're crying.
Oh, Ma.
[ Laughs ]

I just feel
so supported and loved.

And I want to get
a golden ticket so bad

because I just want
to keep singing.

♪ But I would do
anything for you ♪

‐Hello.
‐Hi. Who are you?

Um, I'm Sarah.
I'm 20 years old,

and I'm from
Berkeley, California.

Katy: Awesome!

Tell us about who you are.

So, I was raised by two moms
in Berkeley,

and then when I was about
14 years old,

I connected
with my biological father,

who was a sperm donor,

and now, since then,
we've found 26 half‐siblings.

So, I'm one of 26.

26?
Yeah.

Oh, my God.
Wow.

Like, y'all chased
the sperm‐donor trail?

I know.
Isn't it crazy?
What?

There's 10 of us here
right now.

[ Chuckles ]
Really?

‐Yeah.
‐Is your sperm‐donor dad here?

Yep.

It's so nice to meet you.

It's very nice to meet you.

You're doing your hair the right
way, I just want you to know.

Been working on it
for a while now.

It's working.
It's working.

That is ‐‐
Is he taking y'all
out to dinner?

[ Laughs ]
[ Chuckles ]

Can you share the story of
why he decided to give his...

Yeah. He was in college.

He went to UC Berkeley,
and it was just, you know,

something to do
to help families.

I'm pretty sure the program
he did it through

was for LGBT families.

Wow.
Katy: That's nice.

Just a good deed.

Really?
Yeah.

What a story.

And have you spent, like,
actual holidays with them?

Oh, yeah.

We went on a family vacation
this summer to Big Bear.

They're, like, truly
my best friends. It's crazy.

Eh, don't sing.
Just tell me some more stories.

I know, right?

That's crazy.
I love that.

‐Yeah.
‐I love it.

Alright, Sarah, well, um,

what are you gonna
share with us?

I'm gonna sing
"If I Were a Boy" by Beyoncé.

Perfect.

♪♪

Wow.
That's interesting.

♪ If I were a boy ♪

♪ Even just for a day ♪

[ Whistles ]
Hmm, hmm, hmm.

♪ I'd roll out of bed
in the morning ♪

♪ And throw on what I wanted
and go ♪

♪ If I were a boy ♪

♪ I think I could understand ♪

♪ Whoa, oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ Whoa, oh‐oh‐oh,
oh‐oh, oh‐oh, oh ♪

♪ How it feels to love a girl ♪

♪ I swear I'd be
a better ma‐a‐a‐a‐a‐n ♪

♪ I'd listen to her ♪

♪ 'Cause I know
how it hurts ♪

♪ Whoa, oh‐oh‐oh,
oh‐oh, oh‐oh, oh ♪

♪ When you lose
the one you wanted ♪

♪ 'Cause he's
taken you for granted ♪

♪ And everything you had
got destroyed ♪

♪ But you're just a boy ♪

♪♪

[ Vocalizing ]

Wow. Wow.

Wow.

Thank the sperm donors!

[ Laughs ]

Alright, Luke,
what do you have to say?

It totally blew me away.

Thank you.

Was it
a flawless performance?

It wasn't.

When you went
into the chorus,

I think you were nervous
on that first line.

First time around.

In your second half
of the chorus...
Correct.

...you totally corrected
your nerves.

Is that true?

Uh...yes.

[ Laughter ]
Yes.

You have a low end

that will compel me
to sit here

and listen to every word
you're ever gonna sing.

You can open up
a lot more,

and I'm just gonna call that
your heart beating

a little faster
than you would like it to be,

but it's okay.

I really like
what you're doing.
Thank you.

Thank you a lot.
Katy?

Um, I was really happy

that you came back down
after the chorus

and ended
with that subtlety,

with that beautiful alto voice
that you have.

I would like for you
to use dynamics even more.

Just think about how you can do
this push‐pull thing ‐‐

like, you can make it big
and then bring us back in...

Yeah.
Take us on a ride.
...and make it big.

Take us on that roller coaster
with your voice.

Let's take a vote.
Lionel?

I am so happy to say...
yes.

Thank you.
[ Chuckles ]

It's a yes from me.

[ Sigrid's "Don't Kill My Vibe"
plays ]

Yes. Yes, yes, yes.

♪ I tried to play it nice but ♪

♪ Oh, oh, oh, ooh‐ooh ♪
You're going to Hollywood!

♪ Don't kill my vibe ♪
Oh, thank you so much.

Oh, my God. Get ready.
Oh, thank you.

Oh, my gosh.
So get ready.

Oh.
Congrats.

It was nice
to meet you all.

It's just a blessing
to be able to sing for you.

You guys are all amazing.

Well, you're gonna be
singing for America.

That's what
you're gonna be doing.
Oh, my God.

Are you ready for this
out there?

♪ I tried to play it nice but ♪

♪ Oh, oh, oh, ooh‐ooh ♪

♪ Don't break my stride ♪
[ All cheering ]

♪ I tried to play it nice but ♪

♪ You think you're so important
to me, don't you? ♪

♪ But I wanted you to know ♪

♪ That you don't
belong here ♪
Stampede.

Oh, my God.
The stampede, for real.

♪ Don't kill my vibe ♪

♪♪

Curt: We met in Nashville

and been playing together
ever since.

Julia: I've really seen
a spot for me here.

♪ Oh, oh ♪

♪ Oh, oh ♪

♪ Oh, oh ♪

[ Laughter ]

I wanted this
since I was 6 years old.

There's a pain
that you can feel.

You gave us
the whole authentic self

right here
in front of us.

Luke:
That was big time.

I believe in you.

Julia: [ Crying ] I can't
believe this is happening.

I'm gonna cry.
[ Crying ]

♪ Mm‐mm‐hmm‐mm‐mm ♪

♪ Every time I turn around ♪

Hello. Hello.
Good morning.

Welcome!

♪ I want to love you ♪

Nice to see you.
How are you?

Nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you.

What's your name?

I'm Uncle AJ.
I'm Ryan.

The judges
are really enthusiastic

about seeing all of you.

So, get in there,
sing your hearts out,

be yourself.

You're all here for a reason,

so dig in to that confidence.

Good luck, and we'll see you
in the room, okay?

[ All cheering ]

♪ Mm‐mm‐hmm‐mm‐mm ♪

Hello, and welcome
to meeting me.

♪♪

♪ Me‐me ♪

I'm Eliza Catastrophe,

I'm 28 years young,

and I'm from
Spokane, Washington.

[ Pops lips ]

So, I've been playing live
in Spokane

for about nine years now.

I'm known as
"the Universal Opener,"

so I open for anyone
who comes through.

Man:
...the Universal Opener.

A soloist, pop act, rapper,
or a country act ‐‐

like, please call me.

I want that $20.

[ Chuckles ]

♪♪

I appreciate the significance
of this day.

I'm treating with as much
respect and reverence as I can.

Lionel: Hey.

I hope the judges
like me professionally,

and also personally.

I have gifts for you
in this purse.

Are they edible?
Ah!

Yes.

Sure.
We can be bribed.

Eliza: I brought you all
my new album.

It's on MP3 player.

Ah.

And I brought you
my old album

on candy bar for you,

and it has the song "Sardines"
on it,

which I hope
to perform for you,

so I brought sardines
for you, too.

Katy:
Wow. You are unique.

Thank you.

[ Laughs ]
Oh!

[ "La Donna e Mobile" plays ]
Do not open those sardines!

Oh, my God!
Eliza: Oh, he did it.

Don't do it!

Oh.
See what you started?

Now this is gonna be ‐‐

Ooh! That's strong!

I can't ‐‐
I'm gonna yak.

Luke,
give me this thing.

If you get that on you,
it takes ‐‐

You're done.
You're done.

Alright,
ladies and gentlemen...
It takes two days.

...I need to give this
to somebody.

Well, I'm so glad you all three
enjoyed that so much.

Oh, yeah.

That was a catastrophe.
Oh, yeah.

That was ‐‐
Alright, "Sardines."

We got to hear "Sardines."

Ah. "Sardines."

I'm dying to hear
"Sardines."

That's all
I can think about.

♪ Sardines, sardines,
sardines ♪

♪ They live in a can,
oh, man, in a can ♪

♪ Where they go to school,
and when they are done ♪

♪ Where they go to work,
and where they have fun ♪

♪ Sardines, sardines,
sardines ♪

♪ If we shares with fishes,
we'd all be doing dishes ♪

♪ 'Cause I wish for fishes,
I wish for fishes ♪

♪ If ifs and buts
were candy and nuts ♪

♪ Oh, we'd all have
a merry Christmas ♪

♪ Les poissons,
les poissons ♪

♪ Au revoir, pesca ♪

♪ Sardines, sardines ♪

♪ They're fishes,
they're fishes ♪

♪ We'd all be doing dishes ♪

♪ 'Cause I wish for fishes ♪

♪ If ifs and buts
were candy and nuts ♪

♪ Oh, we'd all have
a merry Christmas ♪

♪ Les poissons,
les poissons ♪

♪ Au revoir, pesca ♪

[ Claps hands ]
Thank you.

Ah.
♪ Sardines, sardines ♪

[ Laughs ]

♪ Sardines, sardines ♪
[ Laughs ]

Are you gonna say that
all day today?

You're just gonna go...
♪ Sardines, sardines ♪

That's why I picked it.
That's why.

The next fish I hook,
I'm gonna be like...

[ Grunts ]

♪ Sardines, sardines ♪
♪ Sardines, sardines ♪

[ Laughs ]

Well, now,
let me just tell you,

I'm evaluating the fact

that I don't know where

this beautiful
"sardines, sardines" fits.

Not that
you're not entertaining.

It's just ‐‐
Entertaining, yes.

Entertaining ‐‐
you've got that down in spades.

How you were vocally

is going to be the part
that I'm wrestling with.

Yeah.

But it's gonna be a no
for me, okay?
I can see that.

That's where I am,
officially.

Thanks.
Um, love your spirit.

Just keep having fun,
being yourself.
Yeah, that's right.

But for "American Idol,"
I'm a no.

Eliza, you're a character,
and you make us laugh.

And it's unusual.
It's super unusual.

It is weird.

‐Yay.
‐Yay. I know.

I'm weird, too,
but a different kind of weird.

It's not right
for "American Idol,"

but thank you for the snacks
and the sardines.

But you guys, like,
like me as a person

and you think I'm cool?
Katy: Yeah, duh.

Love you.
Oh, heck yeah.

Are you kidding me?
It's a no for me.

Would you ever want
to hang out socially?

Okay.

Well, thanks anyway.

We love you.
Thanks.

Alright, darling.
Thank you, babe.

Oh.

That is an old trick there,
boy.

[ Laughs ]

That's an old trick.

But just remember...

[ Sighs ]

...when we all three
go to bed tonight...

Katy: Yeah.
We're gonna be ‐‐
...we'll be singing...

All: ♪ Sardines, sardines,
sardines ♪

♪ They live in a can ♪

Eliza: I think that me putting
stinky fish into the room

probably, like,
hurt my chances,

and it grossed Katy out,

so I think that, like,
turned her off of me right away.

I'm gonna blame it on that
instead of anything else.

♪ Sardines ♪

♪♪

Sorry.
That was some force.

I'm definitely gonna
keep singing forever.

Maybe I'll have to go back
to playing $20 shows,

but I'm definitely gonna be
working my way up there.

And maybe Katy Perry will be
opening for me some day.

♪ Sardines, sardines ♪

They live in a can.
Oh, man.

Oh, man. Oh, man.

I'm really gonna yak.

Ryan: Back with you
from the "Idol" auditions.

This is the moment of truth.

Katy...

Here we go.
...versus Luke.

Take it away, Katy.

♪♪

Oh!
[ Laughs ]

She's down. She's down.

♪ Oh, I want to skate
with somebody ♪

♪ I want to feel the heat ♪

♪ With somebody ♪
Oh!

♪ Yeah, I want to skate
with somebody ♪

Both:
♪ With somebody who loves me ♪

♪ Yeah, I want to skate
with Luke Bryan ♪

Oh, this ‐‐

♪ I want to see
you skate ♪

♪ Skate backwards ♪

♪ Yeah, will you skate ♪

♪ With somebody
who loves me? ♪

♪ Ooh ♪

♪ Whoo ♪

I'm so scared we're gonna
hit something.

♪ Whoo, ooh‐ooh ♪

[ Screams ]

That may be a possibility,

that I may be the only judge
left to judge.

♪ With somebody
who loves me ♪

[ Crash! ]
Whoo!

‐Oh, God.
‐[ Laughs ]

Lionel: That was good.

And with that
smashing performance,

the "Idol" auditions
roll on.

♪♪

For almost two decades,

"American Idol" has been
discovering talent

from every corner
of the country.

[ All cheering ]

And our "Idol" alumni are
nothing short of phenomenal.

[ All screaming ]

I made it. Ah!

So, it's no surprise
our judges hand‐picked

two of
the most original artists

this show has ever seen.

What's your name?

Catie with a C,
and you're Katy with a K,

and I already
think this friendship's

off to a great start.

Lionel: [ Laughs ]

My name's Alejandro.

♪ When you hold me closer
to your fantasy ♪

Alejandro and Catie Turner ‐‐

they opened the door
for viewers to go, "Huh.

Well, I never really thought
of this as the way,

but these guys are great,
they're authentic,

they're real, true artists.

Why not audition?"

Man: I remember I saw
Alejandro's audition

'cause it was so viral,

and I was absolutely
blown away by it.

♪ Get real with yourself ♪

Catie Turner's songwriting
in particular is crazy.

Julia:
She is telling a story.

She's not trying to fit
in any box.

Just seeing Alejandro
play to four people

and then play,
you know, festivals, tours,

and the fact that
that came from

being discovered
on "American Idol"

is super inspiring.

Katy: What's your name?

Julia Gargano.

And why did you choose
"American Idol,"

of all the places to try
and kick off a career?

Well,
the past couple seasons,

between Catie Turner
and Alejandro,

I've really seen a spot
for me here.

I consider myself a songwriter
as my identity.

Today,
I am going to perform

an original song
called "Growing Pains."

What were you thinking
when it was doing original

versus do a song
that people already knew?

Julia: I feel like when you go
on "American Idol,"

you really have to put yourself
out there as an artist,

and I really believe that's
what best represents me.

I have so many stories
and so many songs

that I feel like
I have a lot to offer.

Are you gonna sing
something you wrote for us?

Julia: Yes.

It's called
"Growing Pains."

"Growing Pains."
Very good.

♪♪

♪ Put a Band‐Aid
on a shotgun wound ♪

♪ And pray to God
it heals me ♪

♪ Rolls off your tongue,
you mutter ♪

♪ Words so cold ♪

♪ And I suppose
that's honesty ♪

♪ And I've got these hands,
not a grip too loose ♪

♪ I've got one heart
and it's loving you ♪

Mm.

♪ But I've only got one,
so I will move ♪

♪ When an ocean's pouring ♪

♪ From the blue skies above me ♪

♪ Do I sail on down ♪

♪ Until I find
where I've been running? ♪

♪ Do I dry my eyes
'til I feel okay? ♪

♪ Oh, these growing pains ♪

♪ Growing pains ♪

♪ Oh, oh, oh‐oh ♪

♪ Oh, oh, oh‐oh ♪

♪ Oh, oh, oh‐oh ♪

♪ Oh, oh, oh‐oh ♪

♪ Ooh, ooh‐ooh ♪

♪♪

Thank you.

Very good.

Very good.

Oh.

[ Laughter ]

Oh, my God!
I can't believe this happening!

I'm gonna cry!

[ Laughs ]

Thank you.

That was the best hug
I've ever received.

That was very good.
Okay.

She never hugs me.

[ Laughs ]
I'm so sorry.

Well, if you sang like that,
maybe I would.

[ Laughs ]
I'll never sing
like that.

Well, then,
you ain't getting no love.

Oh.
Come on, Luke.

I'll tell you what ‐‐
you know, that was big time.

Thank you. Ah.

That's big‐time music,

big‐time presentation,

done by a 21‐year‐old,

and it sounded really,
really classic

and done well.

A lot of folks just don't
come in the door here

and showcase...
Well.

..."And here's
my new song."
[ Laughs ]

And you gave us
the whole, authentic self,

right here in front of us,

and that's why
this lady ran around

and gave you that hug.

Best moment of my life
to date.

Next season on "American Idol,"
people are going to say,

"I actually ‐‐
um, I came here to audition

because I was inspired
by Julia Gargano."

Oh, my God.
It's too much.

That's what
they're gonna be saying.

You are...
So good.

...as good as Catie Turner,
as Alejandro.

Now, those are
all the compliments.

I don't have any critiques.

Okay.

Katy:
But when I find one,

I'm gonna give it to you,

because I want you
to win this thing.

I think you're top five.

[ Chuckles ]
Oh, my...

Do you have a big family
outside?

So huge.
15 people.

Should we do it quietly,
so they can't hear?

'Cause I think
everybody's hearing us.

Oh. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Okay.
So, we'll whisper.

We're gonna whisper it,

and then we're gonna let you
deliver the news.

[ Whispering ]
Okay. Aah!

Katy: Julia...
What? What?

You are going to...

All: [ Whispering ]
Hollywood!

[ Screams quietly ]

Okay. Wow!

Okay. Quiet.

Oh, my God. Okay.

Thank you so much.

[ Normal voice ]
I love you.

I love you so much.
Amazing. Amazing.

Thank you.

What is happening
right now?

I don't even know
what's happening.

Okay, thank you.
Hide it.

Hide it.

♪♪

[ All cheering ]

Oh!
[ Normal voice ]
We got a show, guys.

I cannot believe
I sang an original song,

and their response
was crazy.

Absolutely surreal.

[ Normal voice ]
She is a...star.

When Katy said that

I was gonna be an inspiration
to other songwriters,

that was too much
for me to take in.

Oh, my gosh.

That was the best compliment
I have ever gotten.

I'm going to Hollywood!

[ All cheering ]

♪♪

♪♪

My heart's about
to bounce out of my chest.

[ Laughs ]

[ Imitates
rapid heartbeat ]

That's what's happening
right now.

They're just
regular people.

Ryan:
Hi. What's your name?

‐What's your name?
‐Presely.

Presely.
Presely.

Hi, Presely.
Good to see you.

I like your shirt.

Let's jump.

Hey, baby.

♪♪

‐'Sup, guys?
‐Hey, guys.

‐Hey.
‐How are y'all?

‐How you doing?
‐What's up?

Nothing much.

Coming to sing
for you guys today.

We got a twofer.

[ Chuckles ]
You got a twofer. Yeah.

We got a little duo
going on.

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

I'm Curt Jones.
This is my wife, Hannah.

Hannah Prestridge.

And we're called
Treble Soul.

Treble Soul.

We met in Nashville,

and we've been playing together
ever since and stuff, and ‐‐

Going on six years.
Going on six years now.

Married for three.

Wow. Very good.

Yeah.

Alright, Curt,
let's hear you.

Alright.

♪♪

So, I'm gonna sing
"Help Me Hold On"
by Travis Tritt.

♪♪

♪ Baby, close that suitcase
you've been packin' ♪

♪ Just sit down
and talk to me awhile ♪

♪ I know you tried to tell me
what was lackin' ♪

♪ But I guess I must have
missed it by a mile ♪

♪ Well, this time, girl,
I swear to you I'll listen ♪

♪ And help me understand
where I went wrong ♪

♪ Help me hold on ♪

♪ To what we had ♪

♪ You were right all along ♪

♪ So help me hold on ♪

Good deal.
Thank you.

Hannah, you want to take
your turn?

Hannah: Sure.

I'm gonna sing
an original.
Okay.

It's called "Day to Day,"

and the reason
I'm singing it is

'cause I just want
to share it with y'all.

What's it about?

It's about me and Curt's
relationship, and, uh ‐‐

Well, tell us about it.

♪♪

Hannah: When I met Curt,
I was in Nashville, Tennessee.

I had went up there
to chase a dream,

and ended up chasing a boy.

I knew automatically,
like, "Wow.

I love this dude,
and I don't know why."

Curt: I loved music,
she loved music.

It just seemed
to click and work.

And so me and Hannah
had a pretty special connection

starting off.

Don't ‐‐
Daddy!

This should be, uh ‐‐
this should be the same.

And my sleeves
I'll roll up.

Hannah: So, after the first
three months of us dating,

we became pregnant,

and it was scary,

but we were also
very in love.

[ Lord Huron's
"The Night We Met" plays ]

So, everything
was fine at first,

and then all of a sudden,
I was in so much pain.

I go to the doctor,

and they find this problem
with my kidney.

The pain was excruciating.

Both of our lives
were in danger,

and so they did stick a tube
in my back

and gave me
some hydrocodone.

♪♪

That's when my addiction
became an addiction.

♪ I am not
the only traveler ♪

After I had Presely,

I wasn't just getting
the hydrocodone

from the doctors,
you know?

I would get it
from friends.

I was spiraling
out of control.

♪ What the hell
I'm supposed to do ♪

♪♪

Curt: I watched as
the most beautiful woman

I've ever seen in my life, uh ‐‐

Sorry.

...um, kind of fade away
into this ‐‐

this ghost
that I never really knew.

♪ I had all
and then most of you ♪

♪ Some and now none of you ♪

I was messing up everything.

Last year, I didn't even
show up at my own house

to put the presents
under the Christmas tree.

♪♪

Curt: I'm there by myself,
wrapping presents,

and then you see her stumble
through the door.

It looked like she got beat
to death by the addiction stick.

♪ Take me back ♪

Thank God
my kids were asleep,

because it is something
that you can't un‐see.

♪♪

There was a stipulation
that I gave her,

that you need to fix your stuff
or I'm gone with the girls.

♪♪

I remember it
like it was yesterday.

Um...

Sorry.

♪♪

Curt: She picked us.

♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh ♪

She's been
a year sober today,

and I'm extremely
proud of her.

♪ Take us back
to the night we met ♪

I'm extremely happy
that we have a second chance

to make our family right.

I love you.

Hannah: I love Curt
with my entire soul.

If it wasn't for him,
I wouldn't be here today.

♪♪

We've had
a rough six years ‐‐

happy and bad times.

This is
more of the bad times.

Wow.
Okay.

Let's hear it.

♪♪

♪ Would you be happy
somewhere else? ♪

♪ Would it be better
if I left the house? ♪

♪ 'Cause I can't take
this falling apart ♪

♪ And every time we talk,
all you do is break my heart ♪

♪ 'Cause it's like
living day to day ♪

♪ Wiping the tears
off my face ♪

♪ Going through the motions,
can't be tamed ♪

♪ Like tomorrow
will be our first break ♪

♪ But time is just a battle game
full of fame ♪

♪ 'Cause it's like living
day to day ♪

Alright. Thank you.

Katy?

Hannah, there's something
special in your voice.

There's a pain
that you can feel,

and people resonate with it,

and congratulations
for being clear.

Well, thank you.

If you want to be
on this journey,

you got to be clear.

Curt, I think you've got
a real authentic country voice.

I just ‐‐ I'm not sure

that you are
blowing out the water

some of the contestants
we've seen earlier.

Luke,
what do you think?

You know, Curt,
I think you complement her.

Yeah.
But I think
right now,

your role may just be
to be kind of her rock.

Hannah,
you've got that story

and that pain in there
that we're feeling,

but now if you
can feel that, "Oh."

Yeah.

"This is train's
getting rolling."

I think you might surprise us
and yourself.

Lionel?

Looking at you
as a team,

I always like to think of,

who's the lead,
who's the complement?

Mm‐hmm.

Lionel:
As far as I'm concerned, Hannah,

you know, the lead
is sitting with you.

Your rock
is standing next to you,

and the guy
you look over every night

and wink at him
during the show,

because he'll be playing
right beside you.

There's the act,
right there.

You understand me?

Yes, sir.

Yeah,
let's go on and vote.
Well, hold on.

I have a question.
Yeah?

What would happen
if you guys ‐‐

Would you have
to both go through,

or...?
No.

No?
No.

Wow.

We've already
talked about it,

and I would support her
no matter what.

‐Really?
‐Yes.

Very good.

No matter what.

Should we take a vote?
Yeah, let's take a vote.

[ Kacey Musgraves' "Rainbow"
plays ]

Curt, it's a no for me.

Yes, sir.
Alright?

But you know
where you stand.
Yes, sir.

You're a good man.
Good man.

Thank you.

There's got to be a flower

and there's got to be
a gardener.

Right now, you got to be
the gardener.

I got you.

It's a no for me
for right now.

Okay.

Curt, it's a yes for me
for being a great man.

‐Thank you so much.
‐That's right.

Appreciate it.
Hannah...

♪♪

Let's do it.
Three, two, one.

All:
You're going to Hollywood!

♪ You hold on
to your umbrella ♪

♪ And, darling,
I'm just trying to tell ya ♪
[ Laughs ]

♪ That's there's always
been a rainbow ♪
Hannah:
I can't believe I did it.

It means everything that
I've ever worked for in my life.

All the hardships
I've faced,

all the ‐‐
all the downfalls I've taken.

♪ You'd be blinded
by the colors ♪

I believe in you.

I've wanted this
since I was 6 years old.

You got it.
Now you got it.

Now just stay focused,

stay clear.
Yes, ma'am.

It is bittersweet.

I'm bummed.

She got it!

Hannah:
I know how bad he wanted it

and I know how bad
I wanted him to get it.

So...

♪ 'Cause the sky
is finally open ♪

Presely:
Good job, Daddy.

Thank you, baby.
I appreciate it very much.

Are you gonna take me
to Disneyland now?

I'm gonna try.
[ Laughs ]

I'm proud of you.

♪ Hanging over your head ♪

♪ Yeah, there's always been
a rainbow ♪

♪ Hanging over your head ♪

Curt: She deserves
every bit of this,

more than anybody
I've ever met in my life.

♪ Mm‐mm, mm‐mm‐mm ♪
So, I'm looking forward
to watching the journey.

[ Sniffles ]

You hear me?

♪♪

[ All cheering ]
Next time...

Woman: Is the next American Idol
in this crowd?

♪ Ah ♪

Ryan: ...tune in...
♪ Ooh ♪

Yeah, she doesn't really
miss notes.

Lionel: I just couldn't stop
watching you.

I don't like it.

I love it!

Oh, my God!

...for more
incredible talent...

This is some
top 10 material here.

‐Ooh‐whee!
‐I'm country. I'm tough.

[ Laughter ]
Security.

...and a few big surprises.

Are you kidding me?

Are we being Punk'd?

[ Yodels ]

No more yodeling!

[ Fast‐paced piano music plays ]
This room is love!

♪♪