American Idol (2002–…): Season 18, Episode 3 - 303 (Auditions) - full transcript

Audition day!
Whoo!

"American Idol," here we come!

Hey, let's go!

Certainly intimidated
because I know

there's gonna be tons of people

with a lot more experience
than me.

And we're scared and excited.

Um...mostly scared.

♪ Oh, I'm brave ♪

Have fun singing!

You're not wearing that
to "American Idol."



You got to
look like a star.

Goodbye.

Bye, Teeny.

Bye, Bartholomew.
Hello.

Have a nice swim.

Alright, sit, sit.

You can't go with us!

We're going to "American Idol"!

"Idol"!

Whoo!
We're here!

We got pulled over
on the way here,

but they let us go because
I said I was coming here.

♪ So brave ♪

I've been wanting
to do this for years,



and so I'm finally gonna
make the jump.

♪ Oh, I'm brave ♪

♪ So brave ♪

Hi!
Welcome to "American Idol."

♪ I'm brave ♪

♪ I'm brave ♪

♪ People ♪

♪ People ♪

Savannah.

Let's get this party started.

I'm not
dancing anywhere.

No dancing
is taking place.
You can't dance!
You can't...

♪ Dancin', dancin' on me ♪
My name is Kimmy Gabriela.

I'm 17 years old,
and I'm from Lakeland, Florida.

♪ ...en esta historia
algo que confesar ♪

From a very young age,

I knew that I wanted to follow
in my father's footsteps.

♪ No me coniciste
nunca de verdad ♪

I grew up listening to him tell
all these incredible stories

about when he was famous,

and he got to live out
his dream,

and it just inspired me
from such a young age.

I knew that that's exactly what
I wanted to do with my life.

Growing up Hispanic,

music has always been
the center of this family.

Hey! Hey!

Okay! Okay!

It's like blood in our veins,
like I literally inherited it.

♪ ...y dejarlo así ♪

My dad taught me
everything I know,

and I think it's our biggest
source of bonding.

♪ Digo que no ♪

A superstar.

I really want to make him proud.

I just don't want
to let the nerves get to me.

♪ échame la culpa ♪

♪ Solamente te falta un beso ♪

Oh.
Door's heavy.

Hi.

Hey.

♪ échame la culpa ♪
Hey!

Hi!
What's your name?

My name's Kimmy Gabriela.

Awesome.
And where are you from?

I'm from Lakeland, Florida.

How young are you?

I'm 17.
Nice.

Who's your biggest inspiration
in music?

Uh, my dad.

Oh, cool.
Very good.

He was a musician when
he was young, and he toured,

and he did music videos,
and he w‐‐

Really?
Yeah.

So, why is music
important to you?

Why "American Idol"?

Well,
it connects me to my culture,

considering that I've never
actually been

to my origin countries.

Where is your culture?

Um, Dominican and Venezuelan.

Wow.
Yeah.

What are you
gonna sing for us?

I'm gonna sing "Let's Hurt
Tonight" by OneRepublic.

Ah.

♪ When ♪

♪ We came home ♪

♪ Worn to the bones ♪

♪ I told myself,
"This can get rough" ♪

♪ And, oh,
I know you feel insane ♪

♪ Tell me something
that I can expla‐a‐a‐in ♪

♪ I'll hit the lights,
and you lock the door ♪

♪ Tell me all the things
that you couldn't before ♪

♪ Don't walk away,
don't roll your eyes ♪

♪ You say love is pain,
then, darlin' ♪

♪ Let's hurt toni‐i‐ght ♪

Oh, my God.

Alright. Do you
want to critique, or you
want to just judge?

No, no, no, let
well, uh, let's j‐‐

I just want her
to stand here for a minute

because I can't believe
she walked into

That was so great.

That was so beautiful.
That was fabulous,
okay?

I'm telling you.

Do you speak Spanish?
Fluently.

Fluent?
Yes.

Do you sing in Spanish?
Yes.

What?

Yeah.

Can you give us
a little taste, please?

Ay. Um...

♪ Alguien sin vida, alguien ♪

♪ Hecho pedazos alguien ♪

♪ Alguien que amó ♪

♪ Como te amaba yo ♪

Sure.

Hey, hey, listen.

Top 10?
Oh, my God.

Yeah,
she doesn't really miss notes.

No.

No.

You decided to come
for "American Idol" real hard,

didn't you?

I really want this.

You think so?

That was great.
That was fabulous.

Thank you so much.

I mean, her first note,
I was like, "Ye‐e‐p!"

Oh, my God.

You guys...

Yeah.

Just...
You've had
a really good day.

Yeah, right!

No, no, I, uh...
Just take it.

No, no.
Just take it!

I‐I want
to tell you something.
Ooh!

Y'all gonna make me cry.

She was not
joking around.

This is some
top‐10 material here, okay?
Yeah.

Congratulations.
Thank you so much.

You're on
your way to...

Hollywood!
Hollywood!            Hollywood!

Oh, you guys, thank you so much!

Wow!
Thank God for you.

I just wrote down "star,"
okay?

Please,
remember that.

I love you guys.
Enjoy that ride.

Thank you so much.

Amazing. Congratulations.
I look forward
to seeing you guys!

You will.

This way
to straight to Hollywood.

This is everything I've dreamt
of since I was like 5.

Killer.

They said
that I'm top 10.

Ah!

Material
top‐10 material.

Top‐10 material, and those words
are just gonna ring in my head

for literally
the rest of my life.

Hey!
We got it!

Boy,
she's a big singer.

‐Ha ha!
‐We got it.

Yes!
♪ To heaven ♪

Tonight...

...our search
for a superstar...

I'm gonna play y'all a song
that I wrote

hopefully gonna be on
the next Luke Bryan album.

...pulls out all the stops...

We need talent!
It's an emergency!

No more yodeling!

No. No way.

Aah! Aah!
No!

Is your toupee
still on?
Wow, wow.

...and uncovers
unbelievable voices.

I love it!

We gettin' some talent
up in here, huh?

This room is blessed!

Alright, well,
this is a first.

Are we being punked?
We being punked?

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

Welcome back to Los Angeles,

a city that has a special place
in one of our judges' hearts.

Look! You can even see
the Hollywood sign over there!

Wow.

This is a view!
That's a good omen!

♪ It's a beautiful night ♪

This actual rooftop...
Yeah?

This is where Orlando and I
got engaged.

Ah!
No!

Yes.
No!

He asked me to marry him
in a helicopter.

And we landed the helicopter
actually on this rooftop.

♪ Or is it this dancing juice? ♪

And can you believe
that "American Idol"

decided to pick
this building?

I just am feeling
all the feelings.

I like that.

♪ Just say yeah,
yeah, yeah, yeah ♪

Oh, my God!

I remember this awning.

We were all out here,
my whole family and friends.

He had surprised me.

Everyone was wearing, like,
matching, like, sweaters.

It was really sweet.
It was so beautiful.

All in this room.

Really?
This room? This room?

It's here!
I'm happy to celebrate it again.

Wow.
Here we go.

As auditions continue,
our next contestants are hoping

to take advantage
of Katy's good mood

and give her something else
to remember.

♪ Yesterday ♪

♪ Love was such an easy game
to play ♪

Thank you.

There you go.
Thank you.

There you go.

♪ Now I need a place
to hide away ♪

♪ Oh, I believe ♪

♪ In yesterday ♪

You're a dream.
Yeah.

Oh, my God.
It's a yes from me.

You're giddy today,
Katy.
I...

Me?
I'm not giddy!

Oh!
I mean, I'm happy.

This is like sweet memories here
in this room.

♪ Tears don't mean
you're losing ♪

♪ Everybody's bruising ♪

♪ Just be true to who you are ♪

I don't like it.

I love it!

Oh, my God!

Y'all had me freaked out
for a minute.

You're going
to Hollywood!

Whoo!
Come on down.

Whoo!
Thank you so much.

♪ However far away ♪

♪ I will always love you ♪

Do you mind if I bring Leaira
in here?

♪ However long I stay ♪

She's probably the greatest
person that has ever been made.

Oh.
♪ I will always love you ♪

♪ Whatever words I say ♪

♪ I will always love you ♪

We want you both
to celebrate together.

You're going to Hollywood!
You're going to Hollywood!
You're going to Hollywood!

Oh, my gosh!

Actually,
I have one more thing, too.

What?
What?

Um, you know
I love you, right?

Oh, my God.

Ha ha!

No.
No way. Oh.

Will you marry me?
Yes!

Are you kidding me?

Oh, my God!
Yes!

Jordan, you old dog.
Baby.

I love it!

Wait. What?

Are you kidding me?

Oh, my God!
Wait.
I know!

Let me see this.
Oh, my God.

Wait. This is a
This is a big deal, babe.
Oh, my God!

It's the hugest ring
I've ever seen!

Come on.
I love this.

Congratulations.
Oh, congratulations.

Thank you!
I mean...
here's this.

Thank you so much.

Oh, my gosh.

Killed it, man.
Enjoy the ride out here, okay?

White house,
picket fence.

Buy a picket fence.

This room is blessed!

This is a union!
This room is love!

I'm gonna be pretty lovey‐dovey
for the next couple days.

Yeah, right.

Back to reality.
Let's go.

Bring 'em in.

Alright.
Here we go.

How are you?
Hi!

Doing well.
How are you?

We're good,
we're good.

I know
your partner there.

Yeah.

Howdy, howdy.
How you doing?

How you doing,
Shawn?

No way!
Really, huh?
Doing all right.

Is he a big deal?

He's a badass.

Really, huh?
I concur with that.

There we go.
Yeah, so, uh

I'm just
a guitar picker, man.

Oh!
Please.

Uh, my name's Lauren Mascitti,

and, uh, I brought my fiancé
here, Shawn Camp, with me.

Alright.

Whoo!
Your fiancé!

I got one, too!
We fancy and fresh!

I know you do.
I know.

I heard.
Congratulations, by the way.

Thank you. Now we just have to
make it down the aisle.

Ah.
Yes.

Oh, that's easy.
Absolutely.

Get to the aisle.
Just get to it.

Get to Just get to the
Any aisle, get to it.

Yeah.

Very true.
Y'all know Shawn.

He's
He's an incredible songwriter.

He's written
a lot of great stuff

"Two Piña Coladas"
for Garth Brooks,

"How Long Gone"
for Brooks & Dunn...

That's exactly right.

..."Would You Go With
Me" for Josh Turner and...

Okay,
but what about you?

Well, I grew up singing
gospel music in church,

and, uh, I was, uh, raised
and adopted by my grandparents.

Nana and Papaw
were really encouraging

of my
my desire to do music.

I grew up in Lewisville, Ohio.

It was a very small,
little farm community.

Whenever I was little, I knew
I wanted to be a songwriter.

Oh, Nana!

There you go!
There, you got it!

My nana and papaw knew that
I wanted to move to Nashville

to do music and be a songwriter.

♪ Call it dumb luck ♪

They said, "Well, we'll move
to Nashville with you,

but you got to
get a degree first."

I went to nursing school in Ohio
and and I got

my first nursing job
when we moved to Nashville.

Discharging tomorrow, maybe?
Hopefully.

I love my work as a nurse,
and everything I do,

I want it to help people
and inspire people,

and and I've gotten
a lot of inspiration

from my nursing career
for my music,

so it's taught me a lot.

My biggest fan when it comes to
my music is definitely Nana.

Um, but maybe closely ties
with Shawn.

They're both, like,
my number‐one fans.

♪ When the bones are good,
the rest don't matter ♪

How you feeling?
I'm feeling alright.

Well,
you're the best I ever heard,

so I believe you're gonna
knock it out of the park.

He's such
an incredible musician,

and Shawn is very much
Nana‐approved.

I told Shawn

my maid of honor is gonna
have to be Nana.

Just go out there
and be yourself.

Thank you,
baby.

Having Shawn in the room with me

I know will ease the tension
a little bit.

The mission is
to make it to Hollywood

and Nana's gonna go
to Hollywood.

Very good.
Well, good deal.
Let's hear it.

Let's hear it.
Uh, this is a song I wrote

with a friend of mine,
Renée Martin.

It's called
"If I Can Lose You."

♪ I love you so much ♪

♪ But I'm so afraid ♪

♪ Lately, I feel like
you're pullin' away ♪

♪ I give and I give,
but all you ever do ♪

♪ Is take ♪

♪ And if you can leave me ♪

♪ That's how it should be ♪

♪ If you can stand
to let go of my hand ♪

♪ Then just walk away ♪

♪ I want to love you ♪

♪ Like nobody's loved you ♪

♪ But if I can lose you ♪

♪ I think I need to ♪

Wow.

Great song.
Great song, you guys.

Thank you.
That was very moving.

I love the feeling
and emotion in your voice.

Thank you.
Mm.

I'm a sucker
for a good songwriter.

I think
what I love the most

is that you have this
silky quality of a storyteller,

and that's the part
I‐I really fell in love with.

Thank you.

You know, we had
Laci Kaye Booth last year...
Right, right, right.

...who was kind of smoky and...
Right.

But she even had a little bit
lower voice than you did.
Yeah.

But she did so well
because it was so...

her thing.

Authentic.
Yeah.

Like I said,
are you gonna go stand beside

some Kelly Clarkson
belter?

No, but are you gonna be able
to walk out there

and really hold a room
with your style?

Potentially yes.

Best storyteller wins.

Yes.

That's true.
So...

Bang.
Right there.

...if you tell a story and we
believe you through and through,

we're gonna subscribe.

Yeah,
we will be butter.
Thank you.

We will melt.
You know?

Yes. Make us melt.
Let's take a vote.

Let's take a vote.
I'm a big‐time yes.

Aww.

I'm a yes.

And
And I've melted already.

And I'm a yes
for sure so...

Yes, yes.
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.
You going to Hollywood,
sweetheart. Come on.

Thank you so much!
Alright!

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes,
yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.

Aww!
Thank you so much.

Congrats.
God bless you.

Hollywood!
It's gonna be really real.

You got it.
We're gonna put her through it,
so keep the line open.

That's okay.

I'm country.
I'm tough. I can take it.

You can.
I see those boots.

Thank y'all.
Take care.

There's some good news.

Congratulations!

Thank you so much!

It means everything
to be able to go home

and bring back this golden
ticket to my nana and my papaw.

They have sacrificed so much
for me to be able to do music.

I know they're gonna be
super excited,

and, uh, I‐I'm just
I can't wait to tell them.

♪ Thank God
that my life's already good ♪

Hello, and welcome to

another episode
of "Country Fried,"

bringing you the best
country‐music conversations.

My name's Ryan Harmon,
and it is my pleasure

to be able to bring arguably
the king of Nashville

to the show, Mr. Bobby Bones.

And very arguably.

Very, very arguably.

I‐I know we have
a limited time here,

but I really want
to get into

where you are
and how you got there.

I grew up in a small town called
Mountain Pine, Arkansas.

At 5 years old,
they asked us

what we wanted to be
when we grew up

and my grandmother
saved it

and I said I wanted to be
a comedian, a radio host,

and I wanted to be
in a band.

Um, from an early age,
I'd kind of set my goals

to get out of the situation
that I grew up in.

And it wasn't the best
home situation,

so that was kind of
the path out.

Kind of
changing subjects here.

This is
all hypothetical.
Okay, go ahead.

So,
say that I knew somebody

who was auditioning
for "American Idol"?
Mm‐hmm.

Hypothetical,
what would they need to know

before they go
in there?

Before you walk in the room,
you know,

you got to come to
the realization that
you deserve to be here.

Maybe you get the golden ticket,
maybe you don't.

Maybe you learn something
from the experience

that takes you down
a different path.

But before you walk in,
you got to know

that you have earned your spot
to be here today.

I appreciate that.
That's why I'll say
hypothetically.

Hypo‐‐ I know we got a little
specifically hypothetical.

Hypothetically.
But hypothetically.

Welcome to
"American Idol."
Hey.

On a scale of 9 to 10,
how do I look?

My name's Ryan Harmon.
I'm 24 years old.

Come from a little town called
Lamar, Arkansas.

♪ Nobody knows I'm Elvis ♪

♪ Nobody knows this is me ♪

We've got a big ol' power plant
in Russellville, Arkansas.

My dad works there,
my brother works there,

my sister‐in‐law works there,
my aunt works there,

my uncle works there.

I didn't quite make the cut.

♪ Nobody knows I'm Elvis ♪

You press one wrong button,

and the whole thing
just goes away,

so I better just
stick with the guitar.

We're either getting golden
ticket or Golden Corral tonight.

I don't care which one it is.

♪ I want to show you Graceland,
baby ♪

You know, I'm one of those guys

that's been in country music
all my put‐together,

so let's get it done.

Howdy.
How y'all doing?

What's up?
Hey, now.

You have been waiting
a very long time.

I sure have,
but, dadgummit, it's worth it.

Oh! Great.

Dadgummit.

He He does a better
"dadgummit" than me.

I was gonna say.

That's how we do it in Arkansas.
What can I say?

Aw, I love it.

Oh, my gosh. You have
a little whistle, too.

Perfection takes time. I just...

Can you say "shooey"?

Shooey!
That is like...

There you go.
That needs to be
a ringtone.

Now, if my voice gets blown out
after that,

can I blame it on you or...?

You were born
to say "shooey."

I'm sure you got a million
"shooeys" in you there.

I got plenty.

Well, tell us who you are,
where you're from.

I'm Ryan Harmon, 24 years old,

from Lamar by golly
Arkansas,

and just tickled to be here.

"Back alley" Arkansas?

"By golly, Arkansas."

"By golly, Arkansas."

Oh, "by golly"?
"By golly."

No,
it's Golly, Arkansas.

You understand
where I'm going?

He just lives right
by Golly, Ar‐‐ Never mind.

Oh,
is it by Golly?
No.

Oh, so, what do you do
for a living?

Come on, help me out here
a little bit, Ryan.

Well, I work at the local
PBS station there

in Conway, Arkansas,

and just started a new podcast
called "Country Fried"...

What?
...all about country music.

So we're gonna get you on there.

There you go.
Don't fry me
too bad, baby.

Who do you listen to?

I mean,
who are your

who are your people
that you follow?

Sure. Musically?
Musically.

Well one of the guys
you just saw, Shawn Camp.

How 'bout that?
Right?
Pass him in the hallway?

One of my favorites.
Yeah.

Well, what are you gonna do
for us today?

I'm gonna play y'all
a song that I wrote,

uh, that's, uh, hopefully gonna
be on the next Luke Bryan album.

Sell that stuff!

Hey,
I hope it is.

I hope it is.

Name it and claim it.
Ah!

Let us hear it,
man.

It's called
"I Knew This Would Happen."

♪ Here we sit ♪

♪ All alone ♪

♪ Without a single word to say ♪

♪ There was a time when
that's how we'd want to be ♪

♪ Slow‐dancin'
while the music played ♪

♪ Darlin', won't you tell me ♪

♪ What could it be ♪

♪ Yours must be
too hard to find ♪

♪ Everybody goes through this ♪

♪ Something you just can't fix ♪

♪ We're just a‐wasting
precious time ♪

♪ So if you're gonna
leave me now ♪

♪ Tell me,
is it worth the pain ♪

♪ Tell me, do your tears fall
like rain ♪

♪ If we're goin' through
with this ♪

♪ Can we settle
for one last kiss? ♪

♪ Well, honey, I saw it comin',
but that don't make it right ♪

♪ I knew this would happen ♪

♪ Just didn't know
it'd be tonight ♪

Alright, alright.

Nice.

Are you writing these
in Arkansas by yourself?

Yes, sir.

You got a band?
Are you gigging some?

I just play solo
every chance I get.

I love it.
You're 24?

Yes, sir.
Have you ever considered
moving to Nashville?

Yes, sir,
I sure have considered it.

What's holding you up?

I put the dream aside.
Mm‐hmm.

And I focused on a real job

and didn't really
give myself a chance.

Mm‐hmm. Mm‐hmm.

Whether I fell flat on my face
or not,

just to at least not go
out of this world wondering,

"Well, what if?"

Yeah.

Well, you're 24,

and when I was 24,
I had a real job.

Right.
And then,
when I turned 25,

I got tired
of having a real job

and moved to Nashville.

To be writing good‐quality songs
by yourself

down in Arkansas
is a tough thing to do.

In Nashville, the competition
will up your game.

I think you ought to really
consider that one day.

Your voice
is pretty dang good.

Thank you.

I‐I just
trying to wrap my head around,

"Is it
'American Idol' stuff?"

Right.

Ryan, I think you have something
to build on.

You have a great voice.

Well, thank you.

And I think you got
so much personality.

I just think you need to keep
carving it out.

I think you're
a couple years away

from really being able to work
that magic dust, you know?

Right.
Let me just
say this to you.

Trust yourself
to go to Nashville

and get
in the business.

You can circle
the pond.

One day,
you got to jump in the water.

Yeah.

You want
to take a vote, guys?

I'm gonna say no
for this trip,

but an optimistic no...
Yep.

...because you got it.

Thank you.
I'm an optimistic no, as well.

Luke?

Nashville needs good, ol'
country guys like you.

I think that you got
a little place there.

Yeah,
play the game.

Well, thank you.
Very good.

Yeah, but, uh,
I'm a very optimistic no, too,

but I want to encourage you
to, man

you know,
don't let people tell you stuff

and let time
pass you by.
Right.

Man, that's that that's
the best no I've ever heard.

It really is a pleasure
to meet y'all.

No, man, you
No, we mean that, though.

We mean it, though. Seriously.
Thank you so much.

Nice to meet you, Ryan.
Alright?

Good to meet you. Thank y'all.
You take care.

Well, a lot of times,
we just go, "No."

Ryan?
They hated me!

No.
No!
That's impossible.

No, it was
You know what?

That was the best

probably the best thing
I've ever heard.

He's a
Grand Ole Opry host.
Yeah?

He could sit there and host
the Grand Ole Opry right now.

Oh, absolutely.

They said
it was an optimistic no

because they want me
to go to Nashville.

Really?
Yeah.

They said,
"That's where you belong."

That's awesome.
Yay!

All three of them.
So not Hollywood?

No, not
not Hollywood.

But to Nashville?
But to Nashville.

♪ Count your blessings
and your stars ♪

I certainly hope it's not
the last that you see of me.

I‐If it is, it's been fun.

But I certainly hope it isn't.

I think
this is just the beginning.

♪ While you still can ♪

Shooey!

Are you ready?
Yeah.

Okay, Courtney.
Do we have a number?

You don't have
a number.

Oh.
It's okay.

I'm number one.

Number one?

Alright.
Well, this is a first.

So, let me introduce you
to the judges.

Judges,
this is Courtney.

Hi, Courtney.
Hi, Courtney.
How are you?

Hi.
I was walking
down the street,

and Courtney
was at the corner,

and she was sitting there,
and she looked very sad,

and I said,
"What's going on?"

She said,
"Well, I showed up to audition,

but I think
I missed the deadline.

But this is my dream,

and I've wanted to do this
all my life."

And so I grabbed her
and brought her up the elevator.

I've been sitting out here
since, uh, 8:00 this morning.

8:00 this morning?

Mm‐hmm.
Just sitting all day.
Really?

Yeah. I was gonna wait for,
like, however long it took.

Like,
I do not care.

Oh, so you're literally just
waiting for everybody to leave?

Yeah. I was over there,
and then I was over there.

Then I was over here.

The problem is,

the producers have started
the auditions with the judges...

Right.

...and I don't know if they're
signing anybody else up.

Right.
That's the problem.

Mm. Okay.

But the solution to that problem
is me just taking you up there

and seeing
if they let you go.

Okay.
I can't
I can't promise you,

'cause I haven't asked them,
but...
Sure.

At least
if we get up there,

they have to say no
to your face,

which is
probably harder.

Right?

Okay.
So you want
to go up?

Definitely.

No one has heard her.

We don't have any idea
what she sounds like.

Are you kidding me?

This is a
This is a first.

Okay, you're on.
Go ahead.

It's all you.

Hi!

Welcome to
the big show!

Ah.
You really skipped the steps.

I definitely did.

So, what's your name?
Courtney Timmons.

Where are you from?

It's called
Harris Neck, Georgia.

Harrison Ache,
Georgia?

It's in the woods.
Hair Snake?

Harris Neck, like neck.
Harris Neck.

And how young are you?

I'm 22 years old.

What do you do for work?

Uh, I'm a security guard.

So, because of
your security‐guard background,

were you able to manipulate
our security guards?

Seems so.
Ah!

Well, there's several of them
locked in a closet.

But, um...

So, did you hear that
"American Idol" was filming?

Actually, I didn't hear about it
until last minute.

Yeah?
Right.

So I was like,

"Well, I'll just sit outside
until I can't anymore."

You mean to tell me
you were there

because you wanted
just to be heard?

That's all.
That's all.

That is all.
Alright, well, you know what?

We love curveballs
at "American Idol."

Sometimes they turn into
American Idols.

So, Courtney...

Yes, ma'am.

Now's your chance.

Now's your time.
That's so great.

♪ You're broken down and tired ♪

♪ Of living life
on a merry‐go‐round ♪

♪ And you can't find
the fighter ♪

♪ But I see it in you,
so we're gonna walk it out ♪

♪ And mo‐o‐o‐ve ♪

♪ Mountains ♪

♪ We gonna walk it out ♪

♪ And mo‐o‐o‐o‐ve ♪

♪ Mountains ♪

♪ And we'll rise up ♪

♪ We'll rise like the day ♪

♪ We'll rise up ♪

♪ Rise unafraid ♪

♪ Arise up ♪

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

♪ For you ♪

♪ For you ♪

♪ For you ♪

♪ For you ♪

Hold on.

Are we being...

Yeah,
are we being punked?
We being punked?

Yeah.
Hold on.

Before this show started,

I saw her sitting outside
on the sidewalk.

I thought you were just
kind of a fan of the show.

You can sing.

No, no, no,
you can "sang."

Really?

It's a difference between
singin' and sangin'.

You are a bird,
girl.

Yeah, I did not think
I would get the chance

to come up here
in front of you guys.

Do you want
to be a star?

Do you want to be
an American Idol?

I do. I want to be a singer
more than anything.

And then, when they said
this wasn't an open call,

I was a little discouraged.

But I'm gonna tell y'all,
I was gonna sit all day.

She was just
by herself like

No,
I saw her outside.

She said, "Hey, Katy."
I was like, "Hey, girl."

At least I saw you,
so that was enough.

Uh, n‐‐ Hold on.

At least you saw us?
Yeah.

You're one of the best singers
we've had today.
Exactly.

Really? Oh, my gosh!

You're probably the best singer
we've seen today.

Absolutely correct.

Thank you.

Courtney Timmons.

Yes.
Security guard from Georgia.

This is really magical.

This is
a magical moment.

We're gonna send you
to Hollywood.

♪ I will never stop marching ♪
Oh, my God!

You've got to be kidding me!

I came for you.

Would you
do me a favor, Ryan?

Would you
do me a favor?
I know!

Go over there
where she is.

Yes, sir.

Sorry,
I'm like a parent.

I'm crying.
You're crying?

Yeah.
Gang, come right here.

Here goes Katy!

Come right here.

Here, Katy.

Alright.
Drip on this.

Stand right here.
Stand right here.

I literally saw her
sitting on the sidewalk.
I know, I know.

Alright, now...
That was Oof!

...would you take
the golden walk, please?

Yes, yes, yes, yes!

♪ I'mma take the walk ♪

♪ I'mma take the walk ♪

Congratulations.

Thank you so much!

Hey, we didn't
we didn't seal the deal for you.

You ready?
Oh, my God!

1, 2, 3...

You're going to Hollywood!

Oh, my God!

That is what you call
determination.

Unbelievable.
I was.
I was determined.

You came in here
so confident.

Yeah.

And two of us have emotion
and hearts.
Ah!

Oh, well,
actually, us two,

we probably don't have
any emotion,

but when you get us,
you really get us.
But I‐I...

Yeah.

Hold on, Courtney.
You know what?

You are
what "American Idol" is.

Thank you.
Aww.

You're the new definition.
So amazing.

Alright, well, let's go
get everything sorted.
Okay.

Okay, thanks guys.
Appreciate it.
Thank you!

Thank you!
Thank you!

Congratulations, Courtney.
Thank you.

Great story.

What a great...

Katy needs attention!

Makeup, please.

And here's your official
"American Idol" number.

Something like this,
it's a miracle.

It doesn't happen just
for anybody,

and it means everything to me.

Daddy.
Oh, my gosh.

I sung for them,
and they told me, like,

I'm one of the best people
they'd seen all day.

What?!
Yes!

And guess who's going to
Hollywood!

Are you serious?

I'm so serious
right now!

I can't breathe.
I might pass out.

Hallelujah!

I need makeup!

♪ Oh, I will rescue you ♪

You're looking great.

♪ What about us? ♪

♪ What about all the times
you said you had the answers? ♪

My name is Lauren.

I am 16 years old, and I'm from
Vancouver Island, Canada.

♪ What about all the broken
happy‐ever‐afters? ♪

Vancouver Island is not too big
of an island,

not that many people.

♪ Sticks and stones,
they may break these bones ♪

I feel like I'm a very little
girl with, like, a huge dream

and that, like, "American Idol"
will help me, like,

achieve that dream
in so many different ways.

♪ It's the start of us
waking up, come on ♪

♪ I'll be ready ♪

♪ Are you ready? ♪

♪ I don't want control ♪

♪ I want to let go‐o‐o ♪

♪ But now it's time
to let them know ♪

♪ So what about us? ♪

♪ What about all the plans
that ended in disaster? ♪

♪ Said what about love ♪

♪ What about trust? ♪

♪ What about us? ♪

Wow.
Wow.

Very good.
Very good.

Very good.

That was...

Pbht!

Wow, I'm kind of
I can't talk.

Uh, Lionel,
what you got?

Yeah, I'm sitting
over here thinking
we're under full attack.

15‐, 16‐year‐olds are coming
strong this trip, boy.

You are wise

and and gifted
well beyond your age, okay?

I had to close my eyes
for a minute and go,

"Who am I listening to?"

Amazing control.

Thank you.

And as much
as I want to critique,

I just think you just did
a great job.

Thank you.

Uh,
honest to goodness,

you just continue
going down that road,

and you could make
something happen on this show.

I really must tell you, I‐I
really love what you just did.

Thank you.
Thank you.

I think your voice
is super interesting.

You have this tone

that is making us
very intrigued by you.
Intrigued.

Thank you.
Thank you.

Lauren, I think you have
such a God‐given gift.

You may be 16, but that voice
is a thousand years old.

Exactly.

You have a little bit of, like,
a Leona Lewis vibe...

Yeah.

...to your voice,
but it is very much you.

Mm‐hmm.

I think you have
so much to work with,

and I think
we can help you

carve out who you want to be
as an artist,

what kind of music
you want to do if you want.

Yes, I do want.

Alright. Let's vote.
You sing circles around me.

I'm a big, big yes.

I'm a yes.

♪ And run ♪

I am a yes.

You are going to Hollywood,
my dear.

Are you serious?
Oh, please.

Are you kidding me?
♪ Only the young ♪

Set that island...
Thank you.

Set that island
on its on its end.

Congratulations. Okay?
Thank you.

♪ Only the young ♪

I'm going to Hollywood!

♪ Only the young ♪

I am so excited.

Like, surreal moment.

Like, did I just sing for those
three amazing, famous people?

Young'un. Young'un.

Just their mentoring and their
wisdom is gonna help me, like,

shape the artist
that I want to be

and help me become something

that I've been dreaming of
my whole life.

Whoo!
Whoo!

While 16‐year‐old Lauren
may seem like an old soul,

it was our next Oregon hopeful
who helped remind us

how important it is
to be young at heart.

Yeah!
Oh, yeah!

Lionel Richie?

Boo‐yah.

Only thing he need right now
is The Commodores.

And that'd make
my night!

My name is DeWayne Crocker Jr.

I'm 23,
and I'm from Pensacola, Florida.

♪ Ow, she's a brick ♪

I'm here with
my great‐grandmother.

♪ House ♪

She's 78 years old.

She has on 6‐inch heels,
a bad dress,

and I'm so excited that
she's here 'cause she's so lit.

♪ House ♪

♪ House ♪

I'm hoping that Lionel Richie
will like me, period.

Mr. Richie!
Wow!

I just want to touch him
like when we're teenagers.

If I got a ticket to Hollywood,

I would be so happy, man.

I've practiced a lot,
and I believe I'm ready.

What's up?
Hey, now.

What's up,
what's up, what's up?

Who are you?
Where are you from?

How young are you?

I'm DeWayne Crocker Jr.
from Pensacola, Florida,

and I'm 23 years old.

DeWayne Crocker Jr.
Crocker Jr.

Alright, tell me a little bit
about your life singing,

growing up, and...

Well, I think we have
a lot in common.

I grew up as a PK, so, um,
I'm a worship leader now.

Yep.

And I just I love God,
I love what I do at my church,

and I love singing,

so I'm excited
to showcase that today.

Awesome. Alright. Well, what are
you gonna share with us?

Bobby McFerrin,
"Don't Worry Be Happy."

Interesting. Yeah.
Cool choice.

Alright, DeWayne.
Let's do it.

♪ Here's a little song
Bob wrote ♪

♪ You might want to sing it
note for note ♪

♪ Don't worry ♪

♪ But be happy ♪

♪ In every life,
we have some trouble ♪

♪ When you worry,
you make it double ♪

♪ Don't worry ♪

♪ But be happy ♪

♪ Eeh, eeh, eeh, eeh‐eeh ♪

♪ Eeh, eeh, eeh, eeh, eeh ♪

♪ Eeh, eeh, eeh, eeh,
eeh, eeh, eeh, eeh ♪

♪ Eeh, eeh, eeh, eeh, eeh ♪

♪ Eeh, eeh, eeh, eeh‐eeh ♪

♪ Eeh, eeh, eeh, eeh, eeh ♪

♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh,
ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh ♪

♪ Oh, oh ♪

♪ Be happy‐y‐y ♪

Nice one.

I've never heard
that rendition.

Thank you.

I think that I like
the timbre of your voice.

Yes, sir.

You really just have to
think emotional.

Yes, sir.

But at the same time,
your presentation,

you've got to think
show business.

I think
you've got the goods.

Yeah, DeWayne, you know,
if this is your range,

you got the lows,
the highs

when you get to
that 3/4 range,

you're really,
really great.

Thank you.

But you're
a little unsure

when you get in
the lower registers.

Yes, sir.

It was an interesting take
on "Don't Worry Be Happy."

I think that you were
showing off your range,

especially with turning that
whistle part into your falsetto,

and that was
♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh,
ooh, ooh, ooh ♪

That was smart.
That was very smart. Uh...

I can't whistle, y'all.

I've tried since I was a kid.

It's okay, but I really want
to tear down that wall

and really
emotionally connect.

You know?
Yeah. Yeah.

Less tricksy
and more connected.

Yes, yes. Thank you.

Alright.
Let's take a vote.

Let's see.
I'll start first.

It's gonna be a yes
for me.

Wow.
Wow. Wow.

Yes! Yes!

Wow, wow.
Wow, wow!

It's a "roll the dice"
for me.

Wow.

I hope to
connect with you more.

It looks like you're
going to Hollywood, though.

Wow!
Congratulations, man.

Wow! Wow, wow.

♪ Go ahead and tell everybody ♪

Thank you so much.
Thank you.

Thank you.
Man.
I'll see y'all
in Hollywood.

I'll see you in Hollywood.
Alright, yeah.

I'll see you.
I have
a great‐grandmother.

She's 78,
and she loves you.

Oh, goodness!
No, no, no, no,
no, no, no, no.

Oh...my...goddess.

Wait.
Give me that dress!

He tells me...

What was that number?
78?

Whoo!
Wait, no.

You just
calm yourself down now.

Security.

I need security
over here.

You just stay there.

Hey, darling.

How are you?

Ooh!
I'm so blessed.

Oh, my God!
Ah!

Mr. Richie.
Let me
tell you something.

Wait, wait, now.
You don't even
know this.

What?

My husband and I met
on "Lady."

No way!
Yes, sir.
Yes, sir.

We would dance
to "Lady."

And when we got married,
we walked down the aisle...

With "Lady."
...with "Lady."

Ah.

I had to see you.

Oh,
I had to see you!

Aw, wait.
Because if it hadn't
have been for you,

they wouldn't have
been here.

You understand!

That's a great way
to go into Hollywood!

You understand I take
I take credit here.

Alright, Lionel.
I take credit.

What a sweetheart
of a great‐grandmother.
Oh, my goodness!

Mr. Richie!
Oh, my God.

♪ Lady ♪

Oh, yes.
May I?

♪ I'm your knight
in shining armor ♪

♪ And I love you ♪

♪ You have made me
what I am ♪

♪ And I am yours ♪

Ahh!

Mm!

You are a treasure.

Thank you.

Thank you
for coming to us.
And thank you
very much.

She called me
Mr. Richie.
Mr. Richie
and The Commodores...

Call me Call me Lionel
for God's sake.

...at The California Club.
What?!

What do you know
about The Cal‐‐

What?

No way!
Way!

No.

This is
my club days.

Love you, my dear.
Thank you very much.

Love you, love you.

And thank you,
Ms. Perry.
Love you.

Ms. Perry!

Whoo!

Whoo!

♪ Oh, what a feelin' ♪

Whoo!

♪ When we're dancin'
on the ceiling ♪

I'm starting to believe
all the things you say now.

The California Club?
The Commodores?

The California C‐‐

I mean,
these stories are all real!

By the way,
The California Club is this big.

I mean,
we did five shows a night.

Well, she obviously
came to some of them.
And she was
right there.

I am so
proud of you! Yes.

Whoo!
I want to cry, babe.

♪ When you're dancin'... ♪

I'm going to Hollywood!
Hollywood!

Six or seven years ago,

I started
sliding off the deep end,

found myself on the street.

I remember that face!

I had no motivation to sing
whatsoever.

My passion was gone for a while,

and my voice was gone
for a while.

♪ I‐I'm... ♪

You're a preacher, for sure.
I‐I'll go to the church.

I just felt that song
through and through.

I just couldn't stop
watching you.

We're getting some talent
up in here.

I ain't letting
any more people go through

unless they're as good as that.

♪ There's a place in the world
for the angry young man ♪

♪ With his working‐class ties
and his radical plans ♪

♪ He refuses to bend,
he refuses to crawl ♪

♪ He's always at home
with his back to the wall ♪

♪ And he's proud of the scars
and the battles he's lost ♪

♪ And he struggles and bleeds
as he hangs on the cross ♪

♪ And he likes to be known
as the angry young man ♪

♪ Whoa, whoa ♪

That's what I came for.

How do you do that?!

Oh, one hand
behind your back!

You think you're cool!

This is Katy Perry
with the moves, y'all.

Little Billy Joel
for you all.

You're extremely talented,

but you're still not singing
really, really believable.

Yeah.
I'm trying to discover you.

Think you need to hone in
on your skills just a bit more.

It's gonna be a no
this time.

Yeah, it's a no for me
for this time.

Man,
it's a no for me.

Thank you.
Thank y'all so much.

Thank you very much.
I appreciate it.

Thank you. Thank you.
That really sounds great.

Thank you.

Hey!
No.

No?
No.

Aww!
It's all good.

That song
wasn't necessarily great,

but I appreciated
what he was trying to do.

Mm‐hmm.
Yeah, I did, yeah.

Same here.

Hey, hey.

Hey,
how you guys doing?

What's your name?

My name is Dillon James.

How young are you?

I'm 26 years old, actually.

And you have
a massive chest tattoo.

Yes, I do have
my full torso tattooed, yeah.

I mean...show us a little bit
more if you want.

Is that a dragon?

No, it's it's actually
Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ?
Really, huh?

Yeah, let me see
if I can lift this up.

Wow!

Wow!
Ooh!

Oh, my gosh!

Yeah. A lot of tattoos.

They're just, uh, things that
I've picked up over the years.

Very cool.

Tell us about
your life growing up.

Uh, it was pretty good.

I had a good home life, and,
uh, kind of, as I got older,

I met my trials and tribulations
through drugs and alcohol,

and just
a lot of things happened to me

that made me turn into
the man I am today,

trying to do better than what
I was doing before, and so...

Growing up in Bakersfield,
I mean,

it was a lot of industrial work
and a lot of agricultural work.

Okay,
we're good to go.

Currently,
I'm working with my dad.

Can I put these
on there?

Yep.
Hook up the chains.

He owns an asphalt company,

and we're out there
paving roads and stuff.

I've been lucky enough to
be able to do that with my dad

and be able to still play music.

♪ I'm just a man,
but I'm know that I'm damned ♪

I fell in love with music
at a young age,

and I never fell out of love
with it.

It just kind of became like
a friend you never lose.

It's kind of helped me through
a lot so...

Six or seven years ago,

I started sliding off the
the deep end.

Just started using drugs
and drinking all the time.

When I was at my worst,
I lost pretty much everything

and found myself
on the streets no money.

I found like a like a big old
parking structure,

and so I'm like, "I might
as well sleep up there."

I would put my arm and my leg

off the edge
of the parking structure,

and so I said,
"I'm gonna sleep like this.

If I fall off, I fall off.

I mean, at least
I won't have to think about it

'cause I'll be asleep.

♪ I'm goin' away
for a long time ♪

I was so fed up with life.

Everything I thought that I was
was nothing of what I could be,

'cause it was nothing I
that I could be proud of.

Did you guys already
get the job done today?
Yeah.

My family,
as soon as I told them,

"This is what I'm dealing with

and if you can accept me,
you know...

I want to be your son.

I want to be your brother.

I don't want to just
give up on you guys."

So that's what I did.

♪ Die if I must,
let my bones turn to dust ♪

Sorry.

♪ I'm the lord of the lake,
and I don't want to leave ♪

Yeah.
I don't talk about this a lot.

Every day was a battle,
and he wanted to do better.

My family gave me
all that unconditional love.

Now that I‐I realize
what I was getting at the time,

all I have now is the rest
of my life to pay them back.

I love him like I almost
lost him, and I have him back.

And I'm not
letting go.

♪ Die if I must,
let my bones turn to dust ♪

Now it's been two years,

and no drips of alcohol
and no drugs.

With all that I've gone through,

with everything
that I've learned,

that way that I feel when I play
and I can connect and feel it,

is true to me,
is true to my story.

And so if I feel it, hopefully
these people could feel it, too.

Wow.

Yeah.

Dillon, what are you gonna sing
for us today?

I have, uh, "Make You Feel
My Love" by Bob Dylan.

Sure.

Interesting choice.

♪ When the rain is blowing
in your face ♪

♪ And the whole world
is on your case ♪

♪ I could offer you
a warm embrace ♪

♪ To make you feel my love ♪

♪ When the evening shadows
and the stars appear ♪

♪ And there is no one there
to dry your tears ♪

♪ Oh, I could hold you
for a million years ♪

♪ To make you feel my love ♪

Nice.

♪ I know you haven't
made your mind up yet ♪

♪ But I could never
do you wrong ♪

♪ I've known it
from the moment that we met ♪

♪ No doubt in my mind
where you belong ♪

♪ Well, I'd go hungry,
I'd go black and blue ♪

♪ Well, I'd go crawling down
the avenue ♪

♪ Oh, there ain't nothing
that I wouldn't do ♪

♪ To make you feel my love ♪

Alright, man.
That was awesome.

Thank you.

You know, it's really hard
for some people to come in

and just do

Oh, man. I'm so nervous.

You seem so cool!

Seemed so calm.
I'm trying.

Uh, you know,
I'm I‐I think, um,

it was really just done with
feeling and and honesty.

Thank you.
You know what?

And your voice is a little
not what I expect.

Yeah.
Yeah,
it's unusual.

Yeah.

It's almost, like, got this
Chris Isaak thing going on.

Yeah. Mm.

Mm‐hmm.
Yeah, yeah.

Um, I'm I'm a
I'm in all the way.

Wow, okay.
Okay.

Well, I'm gonna throw
my Valentino

in the
in the pot, too.

I can't think of...

Don't have
a cowboy hat.

You know, you gave us
this story of surrender.

Whatever you were doing
was the wrong direction,

and you stopped
and turned around.

For you to interpret
a song like that

and make us feel like
that's your song is everything.

Thank you.
You're a preacher,
for sure.

I‐I'll go to the church.
No doubt about it.

Thank you.

Um, Dillon,
you are mysterious.

Thank you.
I'm intrigued.

I mean,
you have this kind of, like,

you know,
interesting presence.

It's a bit like
country Post Malone.

But what happens if you come
to the City of Lost Angels?

What are you gonna do
to give yourself some help

so that you don't spiral?

Well, I‐I think, uh, it would be
almost an impossibility to me

to try and go back, and I think
I need to lead by exam‐‐

The devil works harder.
I know, I know,

but I have a loving family
that keeps me grounded,

and, uh, I have meditation
to help me out

when I think I'm getting
a little blurry.

Yes.
I love a spiritual cowboy.

Let's take a vote.
Yes.

Yes.

No‐brainer.
Yes.

You're going to Hollywood.
You're going to Hollywood.

♪ Whoa, shine a light on ♪

Come up here and pick
this thing up, my brother.

Here's your second chance.
Alright?

Thank you very much.
Hey, thank you very much.

Thank you so much.
I appreciate you guys.

Oh, you shaking?
You're shaking?
Thank you.

I'm shaking.

Alright.
You guys have a good one.

Take care.
Dillon James.

Sounds like
he was named for it.

Aah!
Whoo!

The last few years for me
have been pretty rough.

So it feels very good
to have this golden ticket.

I almost had a heart attack
in there.
Oh, my God!

It means everything to me.

It means, uh, maybe the start

of something more
than what I am right now, so...

Congratulations.
Give me another hug.

I'm just so proud of him.

And he's been through
so much,

and he's overcome
so much.

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Shine a light on ♪

♪ Shine a light on me ♪

Unh‐unh! You give me some of
that before you make it gross.

Are you, like,
so excited to meet Katy Perry?

Yeah, it's like weird,
but, like, she's weird,

so, like, maybe we'll both
be quirky.

You're wearing
an iridescent bucket hat so...

I'm Geena Fontanella.

I'm 27 years old,
from Los Angeles, California.

♪ You make me feel like
I'm living a ♪

I have loved Katy Perry
since, like, the beginning.

Like, I've been to
all of her shows.

And she was one of, like,
my major influences as a kid.

And I started, like,

watching all of her videos
on YouTube and being like,

"How is she playing them?"

Now I'm at "American Idol,"
and I'm just really excited

to just
play a song in front of her

and and see what she,
you know, thinks.

♪ Don't ever look back ♪

♪ Don't ever look back ♪

Love the look!

Thanks!

It's a little loud,

but, you know,
draw attention to yourself.

Aw, no such thing as too loud
in this company.

Right, that's true.

I'm following after Katy,
for sure.
There you go.

There we go.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.

The ch‐‐ The chandelier,
the hamburger, the

I put the "T" back
in sub‐tle.

There you go.

That's how loud I am.

Right. Exactly.

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

Yeah,
so my name's Geena Fontanella.

I'm from here originally,

and I started music
in the church,

very again,
very similar to you.

Actually,
I saw you at Spirit West Coast.

Whoa! Whoa!

Whoa! Throwback, right? Yeah.
No way!

"Faith Won't Fail" all day.

Well, we're excited to hear
what you got.

Uh, what are you
gonna sing today?
Yeah.

I'm gonna sing an original
called "Don't Want You Back."

Ooh.
Very good.
Yeah.

♪ You broke it off, and I'll
admit how much I hated it ♪

♪ Tried to make it my fault ♪

♪ I convinced myself
I'd never get over it ♪

♪ Well, I guess I was wrong ♪

♪ When I was yours,
I didn't care one bit ♪

♪ Now that I'm gone,
it's like you won't admit ♪

♪ Unh, that you regretted
every day that you ended it ♪

♪ But now I moved on ♪

♪ You hate
I don't want you back ♪

♪ Hate that I don't
want you back ♪

♪ Unh ♪

♪ Hey, I don't want you back ♪

♪ Hate that
I don't want you back ♪

♪ You don't need to call
or tell me your case ♪

♪ I've been doing just fine
since you left me ♪

♪ You hate
I don't want you back ♪

♪ Hate that I don't
want you back ♪

Okay, so are you guys willing
to help me on a part?

It's pretty simple.

Alright.

Yeah. Alright.

♪ Hey, I don't want you back ♪

♪ Hate that
I don't want you back ♪

Okay, here we go.

♪ Hey, I don't want you back ♪

♪ Hate that
I don't want you back ♪

Whoo! Okay.
Hey, one more time.

♪ Hey, I don't want you back ♪

♪ Hate that
I don't want you back ♪

Yeah!

♪ Hey, I don't want you back ♪

♪ Hate that
I don't want you back ♪

Whoo!

♪ You hate
I don't want you back ♪

♪ Hate that I don't
want you back ♪

♪ Hey, I don't want you back ♪

♪ Hate that
I don't want you back ♪

Very good.
Very good, very good.

Wow.
Thank you.

Very good.

Very good.

Can I see
what you look like?

Just 'cause I like
What, without the hat?

I don't know
if you want to see that.

Let me see it.
I like literally
The hat hair?

I don't care.
I literally can't tell your fa‐‐

Okay, cool.
Awesome.

Thank you, thank you.
No, you're great.

Thanks.

I think you're very personable.
Thanks.

Um, I think you have
a good voice.

I think that,
when you go

♪ You don't need to ♪

You know,
and you go into that part?
Yeah.

It's really appealing,

and I like
what your voice sounds like

when it's in that register.

Yeah.
I just want it to get
a little bit more interesting

before it goes there.
You know?

Yeah, yeah, yeah, for sure.

I think,
in the verses,

you had a really,
really cool sound.

Um, some of the stuff
in the chorus was a little safe,

in my opinion.

Maybe just...
dig in a little more.

Yeah.

I love
the character.

Thanks.
You walk out onstage,

and we want
to know you immediately.

Thank you.

And then you open your mouth,
and you have a hook.

Yeah.
And we know it.

When you say,
"Come on, sing along,"

we can sing it back
to you.

That's the test
of a song.

Yeah. Good.
Okay?

Awesome.
Let's vote.

Katy?

I'm gonna put this back on.

Yeah.

Geena, it's a yes.

Okay, cool.
Lionel?

I like what I saw.

You got a yes
from me.

Sweet.
Yes from me.

You're going to Hollywood.
Ah.

♪ California girls ♪
Whoo!

Thank you so much.
I appreciate it.

Thank you.
Appreciate it.

Good luck!
So nice to meet you.

Opens the door with force!

It went so good!

I mean, those people have
sold out stadiums,

and then
they're singing my song.

That's so weird!
Aah! That's so crazy.

Whoo!
Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!

I think Katy was, like,
a little bit on the fence.

But I got three yeses.

That's all that matters.

Whoo!

Hollywood, let's go!

♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪

Hollywood, which is basically
right next door

to us here in Los Angeles,

where celebrity sightings
of movie stars and rock stars

are almost a daily occurrence.

So it was no surprise

when the next contestant
walked in the room.

♪ Lost in the City of Angels ♪

Oh!
Hey, guys.

How's it going?
What's up?

We're here.
Good to see you!

Hey, tell us who you are
and where you're from.

So my name is Jared Lettow
the other Jared Lettow...

...and I'm from
Santa Barbara, California,

originally
from Des Moines, Iowa.

Do you get annoyed explaining
your Jared Leto‐ness?

I mean, I kind of like
the attention, and it's
a good icebreaker.

So people are like, "Oh,
my gosh, you're Jared Leto?"
Exactly.

I'm like,
"Yeah, I'm Jared Leto."

Ha ha!
So ha ha.

Do you think
you'll have to change your name?

I don't know.
I thought about that.

It's like,
"Hmm, I don't know if I should."

What's your middle name?

Nels.
Jared N‐‐ Jared Nels.

No,
you're Jared "Nails"!

I guess I'm Jared "Nails"
because I'm gonna nail
the audition.

Oh! I like him.

Do you have any special
singing talents?

I do. I'm a yodeler.
Ooh!

Okay.
Oh, yeah.
Let's hear it.

Here we go.
Yeah.

Sing Sing
You got this.

You're You're the

You're Jared Lettow
the yodeler.

Jared Lettow the yodeler.
I like it.

There's only one of you.

Alright.

♪ Rollin' down the highway ♪

♪ California sun ♪

♪ Takin' in the air on the 101 ♪

♪ Moved here
from the heartland ♪

♪ And lovin' every day ♪

♪ I'm a California yodeler,
and I think I'm here to stay ♪

♪ I'm a California yodeler ♪

♪ And I think I'm here to stay ♪

♪ Hey ♪

Stop!

No more yodeling!

♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪
I hit That is

Yep, I've hit my yodeling quota
for the for the year.

That is That's ama‐‐
That's

Thank you.

Um, who who taught you
who taught you how to do that?

Self‐taught.

Do girls walk up to you
and they're like...

"I saw you yodel"?

Maybe after this they will.

I would love to kn‐‐
be able to yodel.

You want to give it a shot?

Sure.

Alright, alright.
So repeat after me.

Whoa!
That's pretty good!
That's really

Hey, you got
you got the tongue going, man.

We'll do the second part.

That was good, though.
Was close, was close.

It's that look on her face
that I'm loving most.

You get a cramp
in the neck muscle?

I'm fine.
I don't need to yodel.

My business manager.
Alright.

Jared Lettow.

I think
you definitely have

one of the coolest party tricks
I've ever heard.

But I just don't think
it's right for "American Idol."

Jared Lettow...
it's a "no‐del."

Aw.

No.
It's gonna have to be
a no for me.

Okay.
Thank you.

Jared, thank you, man.
It's a no from me, bud.

Thank you, guys.
But I will see you at the bar
in Santa Barbara,

and we will yodel together.

Oh, yeah!
Yes, you will.
Thank you, man.

Wednesday nights.

See you, man.

Thank you, guys.
Appreciate it.

They gave me a no‐del...
'cause I yodeled.

Here's the thing
I might have gotten a no,

but I'm not gonna stop yodeling.

I've seen a lot of
episodes of "American Idol,"

and I'm gonna show them
something that is special.

You have an amazing
delivery package, okay?

This is why I keep
coming back to this show.

Boy, that is
a hell of a workout.

It is probably the greatest yes
of the day.

Welcome back to
"Idol" in Savannah,

where contestants hope they
have all the right tools

for the biggest audition
of their lives.

Hello, hello!

Hello.
How are you?

‐But some...
‐Hi.

...weren't exactly...
Okay.

...tapping in
to their potential.

Oh, Nelly!

Aah!
Aah! Aah!

Ah. Ah.

Oh, no, no, no, no,
no, no, no, no, no.

♪ Every night in my dreams ♪

♪ I see you, I feel you ♪

♪ It must have been cold
there in my ♪

♪ Sha‐a‐a‐a‐a‐a‐a‐a‐a‐dow ♪

Oh, my God.

♪ I feel ali‐i‐i‐i‐ive ♪

♪ I feel
ali‐i‐i‐i‐ive ♪

♪ And you're here in my heart ♪

♪ My heart will go on ♪

♪ And
o‐o‐o‐n ♪

Wow.
Is your toupee still on?

Wow, wow.

Your notes were sour.

You're kind of out there
on your own planet.

I‐I just know where it fits
into the "American Idol" mold.

You're not what
we're looking for.

Thank you,
it's a no for me.

I'm saying no.

This is just not
your...stage.

♪ In the end, we shall
achieve in time ♪
Thank you.

♪ The thing they call divine ♪
I don't know.
I'm giving up hope, America.

♪ And all the stars
will shine for me ♪
It's been a little
slow today.

They are over there.

We could go tell them
to get better.

Between there and here,
get a lot more talented?

♪ Living in the meantime,
wait and see ♪
Does anyone have a megaphone?

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ We love the all,
the all of you ♪

♪ Where lands are green
and the skies are blue ♪

We need talent!
It's an emergency!

♪ When all in all,
we're just like you ♪

We don't have a whole lot
of time left in the day,

so you better give it all you
got in the first one, please.

Love y'all. Peace.

Lionel's stuck in
the bathroom.

Ohh!

With Katy and Luke
off to find Lionel,

I'm sitting down with
our next contestant.

My name's Shannon Gibbons.

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

Great to have you.
You're from New York?
Yeah.

What do you do
in New York?

I'm the lead singer
in a band now,

and we gig a lot in the summer
out east, on Long Island.

And do you think that by
by gigging

and playing in front of people,
that kind of puts you at ease

for standing in front of
the judges in this room?

Absolutely.
Um, I think

I'm actually ready to be
in that room now.

When did you
start singing?

4 or 5 years old.

Growing up, my whole family
would watch "American Idol,"

and we would sit around
the TV and, like,

you know, have dinner
or whatever.

And I would get up
on the coffee table

and, like, start performing,
like, for my family.

I'm happy. I'm so thankful
for you guys.

Thanks for coming.

Don't cry, don't cry.

I get so emotional.
Good job.

You did a great job.
Thanks.

It's clear to me now that,
when I was younger,

I dealt with a lot of
mental‐health issues.

♪ Eyes burn like a torch
in the winter ♪

Not to be too candid here,

but I remember being
4 years old,

before going
to kindergarten,

and literally having suicidal
thoughts every single morning.

♪ All the days of
the danger, believer ♪
And...

I'm sorry.

Um...

♪ You're my safe and sound ♪

Depression has been something

that's been in my life
for a long time,

and I've tried my best to,

you know, always handle it
myself.

Music got my mind off it.

♪ Sunrise by your side ♪

I was chasing a dream,
but, also, every single day,

I was
having thoughts about

not even being there
tomorrow.

♪ We'll find our own heights ♪

My family helped me so much.

They were the ones who pushed me
to actually go get help

and see somebody and go
to a therapist

and go to a psychiatrist.

Once I did that,
my world opened up.

♪ I'm singing for my age ♪

Everything that
I've worked hard for,

it's all coming together,
and I feel great now,

and I feel like I'm where
I'm supposed to be.

♪ Ooh ooh ooh ♪

And it's just because
I didn't give up.

Love you, guys.

I want the judges to see my soul

and how much I really do
feel what I'm singing.

I've been through 20 years
of craziness,

and I feel like now I've
actually found my way.

♪ Ooh ooh ooh ♪

Hello.
How are you?

Ah!

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

Well, I can recognize you
by the colors, alright?

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

My name is Shannon Gibbons.

I'm from Long Island, New York,

and I'm 20 years old.

How long you
been singing?

I've been singing since
I was 4 years old.

Do you gig out?
Have you performed before?

Yeah, I, uh, joined a band of,
like, middle‐aged men

about two and a half years ago,
met them at church,

and took off from there.
Of course.

I love the guys I play with,
and we're called The Omen.

So we're all pretty spiritual,
and it's just fun.

So, what are you
gonna do for us?

I'm gonna sing "I'd Rather
Go Blind" by Etta James.

Oh, my God.

Alright.
That's a tall order.

♪ Ooh, ooh ♪

♪ Ohh ♪

♪ Something told me
it was over ♪

♪ Mm ♪

♪ When I saw you
and her talking ♪

♪ Something deep down in my soul
said, "Cry, girl" ♪

♪ When I saw you and her
walking 'round ♪

♪ Ooh, ooh ♪

♪ I would rather, I would
rather go blind, boy ♪

♪ Than to see you walk away
from me, child, and all ♪

♪ And baby, baby, baby ♪

♪ I'd rather go blind, boy ♪

♪ Than to see you
walk away from me ♪

Okay.
This is why I keep coming
back to this show, Shannon.

Wow.

What we have now is a‐‐
an opportunity

to step on
your confidence...

and go up.

Mm‐hmm.
Okay?

That's where you have
to think of yourself.

Yes.
Now, if you came in
this calm,

obviously someone
possessed your body.

Okay, but I don't know
who you are inside,

but just take this to
the next level, okay?

Yeah, I got you.
I ain't letting any more
people go through

unless they're
as good as Shannon.

I think...
I'm sorry, I'm just
not gonna do it.

it's our new barometer.

It's...
Standard.

♪ My salvation ♪
You're the standard.

Shannon Standard.

Thank you.
Alright?

♪ My, my ♪
I say we just do it.

I just say we do it.

You're going
to Hollywood!

♪ Ohh whoa ♪

Oh, my God.

Hollywood.
Pick this up right now

before
before it
Oh, my God. I can't
I can't

It's about to fall,
it's about to fall.

I can't even walk
forward right now.

Watch out. Come on,
come on. Right here.

Oh, my God.
You got it here.

Thank you so much.
Thank you so much.
Good job.

I From the bottom
of my heart.
Thank you, yeah.

Really, really, I've been
dreaming about this forever.
We're watching you.

We're watching you.
Thank you so much.

‐It's real.
‐Yeah!

Look at my big ol' family!

Oh, my God!
Tears everywhere!

What in the world is this?

‐Yes!
‐Whoo!

‐Whoo!

Getting this
golden ticket today,

like, I feel like there's
a weight lifted off my chest.

♪ My salvation ♪
Going to Hollywood!

I never thought I'd see this
in real life.

♪ My, my ♪

I'm just so happy.

♪ My salvation ♪

♪ My, my ♪

Oh, that's fun.

♪ It's like a bolt of lightnin'
hits me in my chest ♪

♪ Right outta the blue ♪

♪ Every time I see you ♪

You guys got some energy.

♪ Every time I see you ♪

♪ This is what we do
when we wait on Katy ♪

You on vinyl, too, baby.
You started out on it.

Vinyl Lionel.

♪ Spent a night in L. A. ♪

♪ Just another chance
to see you ♪

♪ Lord, I know she's waiting ♪

♪ Just anticipating ♪

♪ All my love ♪

Katy, thank you
for being late.

As Katy finished
putting her face on,

we found someone with a face
that was ready to go.

My name is Isaiah Grass.

I'm 29 years old.

like off record
real quick?

So, if I'm speaking right now,
the takes that are not good,

are they the ones that are used,
or do you guys, like,

do the ones that are like
like, right now,

when I'm talking, would this
be considered a take?

Oh, okay.

I would consider
myself a performer.

I do modeling and acting,

and I'm also a social‐media
influencer.

♪ I'm the man ♪

I like your efficiency
because you're already

traveling with your
representation...
Thank you.

...your your agent.
I am, yeah. Yeah.

You've got the package already
sorted out here.
Yes.

♪ I'm the man ♪

I feel like, in the modeling
industry, the way

that I'm portrayed on camera

sometimes makes me come
across a little uneasy,

like, "He looks really serious."

Which is my better side?

This side?
Right? This side?

♪ I'm the man ♪

I want to show people I'm more
than just a s‐‐ a photo.

I'm the type of person where,
if you want to go to, like,

TGI Fridays together or even,
like, go on the beach

and throw a Frisbee,
I'm that type of person.

♪ I got news for you, baby ♪
Your Your clothing line

is really good,
by the way.
Thank you.

Yeah.
I appreciate it.
Now, I didn't make that but...

♪ Who's the man? ♪
I've seen a lot of episodes

of "American Idol,"
and I've seen

how people audition
for the show.

And I'm confident that
when I go in there,

I'm gonna show them something
that is special.

Oh, yes.
Okay, here we go.

Hello, Katy.
Hello, Lionel.

Hello, Luke.
How are you?

Hello.
My name is Isaiah Grass.

It is wonderful to
meet you guys.

How have you kept that
outfit white all day?

Actually, fun fact.

I have never worn
this jacket before.

When I first auditioned,
this black material right here,

it actually all ripped off,

so my manager actually sewed
everything back on.

Manager?
You're kidding.

You have a manager?

Well, actually
manager/agent/best friend.

The "best friend"
thing will fade.

When there's money
involved...

Aw, you know, I just love
this wonderful

optimistic group I'm with.

First of all,
where you are from?

Tell us the whole thing,
your story.

Sure. Absolutely.
So I was born in North Carolina,

raised in South Carolina,

and I've been living in Chicago
now for about seven years.

Ah.
I sang in a church choir.

I graduated from
a performing‐arts high school.
Ahh.

And I'm also a model, a singer,
and a social‐media influencer.

Wow. Very good.
What do you influence
on social media?

Well, I have different brands
that reach out to me, so

Really?
I have companies
that provide me shoes.

I have people that send me
jackets and necklaces,

and I've actually been paid
actually to endorse drinks.

You have a full life,
my friend.

Let us hear what
you're gonna do.

So the song that I'm gonna
be singing for you today

is "Take on Me" by a‐ha.

Aha!
Aha!
It is an acoustic version.

Yes.
Very good.
Aha.

Would you guys
like me to do it?

Yeah, absolutely.

♪ Talkin' away ♪

♪ I don't know what I'm to say ♪

♪ I'll say it anyway ♪

♪ Today's another day
to find you ♪

♪ Shying away ♪

♪ I'll be coming for your love,
okay? ♪

♪ Take on me ♪

♪ Take on me ♪

♪ Take on me ♪

♪ Take on me ♪

♪ Take me on ♪

♪ Take me on ♪

♪ I'll be gone ♪

♪ In a da‐a‐a‐a‐a‐y ♪

♪ Take on me ♪

♪ Take on me ♪

♪ Take me o‐o‐o‐n ♪

That...

Was something.
...was a journey.

That was
It was a journey.

Did you see Luke Bryan
flying away?

Boy, that is a hell
of a workout.
He just...

Okay.
Isaiah, listen.

You have a lot of range.

It's true, you can sing.

I think that you are more
of a musical‐theater star

than possibly
an "American Idol" star.

I think you've got the goods

to be on Broadway
and musical theater.

May I interject
for a second?
Go ahead.

So I do Jimi Hendrix, Animals'
"House of the Rising Sun."

Do you want me to do that?
30 seconds, a cappella.

Be serious.

♪ There is a house
in New Orleans ♪

♪ They call the ri... ♪

Alright.

Man, I just think you're theater
all the way through.

You have a big,
big voice.

You can sing from

♪ Down there ♪

To Show him.

To

Don't try

You're gonna
blow your head off.
Anyway...

The second song just
kiboshed it completely.

I, um Oh, God.

What is it that you guys
are looking for?
No, no, no. No, no.

You have an amazing
delivery package, okay?

Thank you.
I think you just need an arena

that capitalizes on your talents
of all of your range,

because this is
"American Idol,"

the pop version of
the world of music.

Sure, of course.
And so it's it's going to
have to stay in that region.

Let's vote, guys.

I'm sorry.
It's a no for me.

I think your stage
is a theatrical stage,

so it's a no for me, Isaiah.

Okay.
You mesmerized me.

You brought me right into
your story. It's

That's what being an artist
is all about.
I understand.

When you guys perform, you know
that's what it's about.

I agree with you, and I'm
probably gonna regret this

in times going on, but, for now,
it's gonna be a no for me.

Okay.
Thank you, Isaiah.

Thank you so much
for your time.
Thank you very, very much.

I hope if I ever get
the opportunity

again to meet you guys...
Yeah.

...that I get to sing
for you again.

Thank you so much.
Very good.

Thank you.

The judges told me that I was
not right for Hollywood.

That's totally okay, though.

Have a great day.
Thank you. You too.
You too.

I already have other photo
shoots being booked right now.

I've just gotten booked for
other TV performances.

I have other brands that
reached out to me,

so I'm not worried about it.

It was just another opportunity
to be on camera,

to meet more producers.

Maybe I'm gonna get scouted
by a record label!

You never know!

♪ I'm the man ♪

♪ Ah ♪

Where are we?
We're at "American Idol"!

Welcome back.

As the sun shines its spotlight

on the Milwaukee auditions...

‐Everybody, you there?
‐You're so grown up.

This is just such
a great opportunity,

and I'm so glad that every
single one of you are here.

Alright.
Okay.
I'm a little nervous.

...it's our familiar faces that
help give life its glimmer.

I remember that face!

Oh, you do?!

I remember you.
You auditioned in Nashville.

Yes, I did.
You remember me!

Really? Huh? Good.

Steel trap.
Yay!

Good memory.
Didn't score good on
the SAT, though,

but can remember...

So, tell us who you are.

My name is Genavieve Linkowski.
I am 20 years old,

and I'm from Goodrich,
Michigan.
Oh, I remember, yes.

And you made it through to
Hollywood week, right?
Yes, yeah.

But we love when you go back
and you still do your music

and you get better and
better and come back.
Right.

Look what happened
to Laine

I mean Laine Hardy.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Seriously! Yeah.
She took a year off.

She's even two years
better!
I did.

I did.

And what have you been doing
since you last auditioned?

A lot has been going on
in my life.

‐Oh, really?
‐Yes.

Actually, it's not

It's not very happy news,
but, um...

What happened?

My sister, um...

yeah, she was 18 years old.

She ended up passing away
in a car accident.

Ohh, baby!
Ohh!

Ugh.

What to say?

I'm just gonna start talking.

My sister, Corinn, got in a bad
car accident last month.

♪ I find shelter ♪

She went home to be with God.

And so I just wanted
to come here

and and tell you guys that.

♪ Under cover, hide away ♪

I should be at home,

but for me to just be here
supporting you,

it means a lot.

Big announcement! "Gen"
is gonna be on "American Idol"!

Yay!

My sister, Corinn, we were
like two peas in a pod.

We just did everything
together like everything.

We loved to sing together.

I don't know how we learned
how to harmonize,

but we knew how to harmonize.

♪ My baby's already
got all my love ♪

♪ Can I be ♪
Hey!

Those moments singing with her

is something I miss the most.

I just wish
she could be here.

I miss her so much.

I know Corinn's just
watching over you,

and she's singing
with angels.

♪ Ooh ♪

After she passed,
I really didn't know

what I was gonna do.

I felt really lost.

I had no motivation
to sing whatsoever.

My passion was gone for a while,

and my voice was gone
for a while.

I just I just didn't know
how to do life without her,

because I always
did life with her.

But I know that Corinn would
still want me to push forward

with this, and, um, definitely
when I sit down at that piano,

she will be in my mind
the whole entire time.

♪ Tell me how am I supposed
to live without you ♪

♪ Now that I've been lovin'
you so long ♪

♪ And how am I supposed
to live without you? ♪

♪ And how am I supposed
to carry on? ♪

♪ No, no ♪

♪ How am I supposed
to live without you? ♪

♪ Now that I've been
loving so long ♪

♪ No, no ♪

♪ How am I supposed
to live without you? ♪

♪ And how am I supposed
to carry on? ♪

♪ When all that I've
been living for is ♪

♪ Go‐o‐o‐o‐ne ♪

♪ Whoa, whoa ♪

Wow.
Mm.

Whoo!

Thank you, guys.

Wow.
That was good.

That was good.
Great job.

Thank you.

Great job.
Genavieve...

I just felt that song
through and through.

Phew!
I mean, you were
singing that song

from your pain that
you've been through.

Tragedy can either
destroy you...

or make you stronger.

You have actually grown.

You're no longer singing.

You're performing...

to the point where I just
couldn't stop watching you.

Took a lot of guts to
come back and stand up,

but I really must tell you
I loved that performance.

Thank you so much.

And I look for you
to go much further

than last time.

So, I think
we can vote.

It is probably the greatest yes
of the day.

Good to see you back.

Thank you so much.

What's her name?

Corinn Linkowski.

‐Corinn?
‐Corinn.

‐This one's for Corinn.
‐Yes!

It's a yes.

To Corinn, yes.

My gosh, you guys.
I literally...

Can we say it?

You're going to Hollywood.

♪ Somebody to heal,
somebody to know ♪
Thank you guys so much!

Thank you!
You guys have no idea.

♪ Somebody to have,
somebody to hold ♪
Thank you so much.

No, thank you.
So good to see
you guys again.

Good to see you.
Thank you so much.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.

♪ It's easy to say,
but it's never the same ♪
Love you guys. Bye.

♪ I guess I kinda liked the way
you numbed all the pain ♪

Yo, we gettin' some talent
up in here, huh?

♪ Now the days bleeds
into nightfall ♪

♪ And you're not here to get me
through it all ♪

Doing "Idol" again
without my sister,

I think she would be
super proud of me.

♪ I was getting kinda used to
being someone you loved ♪

It's just nice
to see something

so beautiful happen
today because

it's been
a very, very hard year.

♪ I was getting kind of used
to being someone you loved ♪

Next time...
♪ Hey ♪

Wow!
...they are breaking legs...

Uh‐oh.
...and breaking hearts.

We may have to break
up the love fest.

Can you stop holding hands?!

Forget everything
you know about "Idol."

You have no idea who we are?

I'm...stumped.

Because the unbelievable
talent we uncover...

You're the most original person
this season so far.

‐Thank you.
‐What's happening?

...will surprise you.
Ooh.

Boo!
Aah!

♪ Whoa, oh ♪
You could be sitting
around top 10.