- 2 days ago
American Idol - Season 24 - Episode 04: Auditions (4)
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00:00:07I am very happy to be back. My second season as a judge. It feels like family.
00:00:21I have my family to support me.
00:00:25I'm very blessed to have my family that really believes in me.
00:00:30My family is always pushing me to be better.
00:00:33My whole family has pushed me through the years.
00:00:35We're going to do it together, okay?
00:00:37Okay.
00:00:38All right. I love you.
00:00:39I know some people that would die for me.
00:00:42We're here to inspire them.
00:00:44Welcome to our family.
00:00:49Getting to watch these kids chase their dreams.
00:00:52I feel really proud of where we're at as judges and with the talent that's come in.
00:00:57The moment of truth.
00:00:59The part I see on TV.
00:01:02Last day of auditions.
00:01:04Another beautiful day in Nashville.
00:01:06Searching for talent.
00:01:07Let's do it.
00:01:08For all of my life.
00:01:11Welcome to my funeral.
00:01:13I literally can't believe I'm here.
00:01:15I can't even talk.
00:01:18And now I'm going to start crying.
00:01:20This is literally something that I've been dreaming of since I was little.
00:01:24Oh my God, you're here.
00:01:26The sun.
00:01:27We have to take a picture with the five.
00:01:29There you go.
00:01:29American Idol.
00:01:34I remember like the season finale of American Idol was like Christmas.
00:01:38I couldn't sleep the night before.
00:01:45I was so excited to watch it.
00:01:46And so this is like a dream come true.
00:01:49Seriously.
00:01:50Ready to go.
00:01:52And away we go.
00:01:54Don't hold it back.
00:01:56Hey.
00:01:58All right.
00:01:58What's your name?
00:01:59Who are you?
00:01:59Where you from?
00:02:00My name is Ray.
00:02:02I'm 24.
00:02:03I'm from Frederick, Maryland.
00:02:05What made you want to audition for Idol?
00:02:07I am an American Idol super fan.
00:02:10Ah.
00:02:11I can't believe I'm here.
00:02:12Have you ever auditioned before?
00:02:13No.
00:02:14I haven't.
00:02:14Why'd you wait?
00:02:15I know.
00:02:16It should have been sooner.
00:02:17Well, good deal.
00:02:18What are you going to sing?
00:02:19I'm going to sing Natural Woman by Aretha Franklin.
00:02:22Ooh.
00:02:22All right.
00:02:23Big shoes.
00:02:23Big shoes.
00:02:24I love it.
00:02:24All right.
00:02:28Looking out on the morning rain I used to feel so uninspired
00:02:40But when I knew I had to face another day Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
00:02:48It made me feel so tired Before the day I met you Life was so unkind But you're the key
00:03:00to my peace of mind
00:03:03Cause you make me feel You make me feel You make me feel You make me feel like a natural
00:03:16woman
00:03:22It's in the May we meaning from которой You make me feel…
00:03:30What…
00:03:32How about this Dr involves here Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh?
00:03:41YouDeals speaking about You made me feel So-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
00:03:47-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh."
00:03:47You make me feel like a natural woman
00:04:08Woo!
00:04:09Come on with that.
00:04:10All righty.
00:04:11Come on with that.
00:04:13You good?
00:04:14Yeah.
00:04:15Yeah.
00:04:16Goodness.
00:04:16I can't believe we have not seen you in this room until now.
00:04:21I think you kind of read Luke's mind.
00:04:23He was like, can she hit the U in her chest voice?
00:04:26And then you did.
00:04:27You did it.
00:04:28In my opinion, you did a lot of amazing things in that performance just then.
00:04:32You got some pipes for sure, which that's your whole goal is to come in and show us what
00:04:37you got.
00:04:37A little trouble landing the plane.
00:04:39Right at the end.
00:04:40But we were flying high, so it really didn't matter because you did enough throughout the
00:04:44rest of the song.
00:04:45You got some great voice.
00:04:47Thank you so much.
00:04:48Thank you so much.
00:04:48Love your choices.
00:04:50You took Aretha, turned it upside down, and made it yours.
00:04:53I think it was just brilliant.
00:04:56Very, very good.
00:04:57Thank you so much.
00:04:58Thank you guys.
00:04:59What does it mean for you to be here right now, to finally be here?
00:05:02Um, I think that it came at the perfect time.
00:05:05My whole family's here.
00:05:06My dad, um, actually suffered from a stroke a year ago, a severe one.
00:05:12I almost lost him, and he's here with me right now.
00:05:44Wow.
00:05:46Good morning.
00:05:46Hi, fam.
00:05:46Come on.
00:05:48Oh, my God.
00:05:50Ah, the proud folks.
00:05:53Yeah.
00:05:55How you doing, Pop?
00:05:57There you go.
00:05:58Oh, my God.
00:06:06Congratulations.
00:06:08So, have you watched Hollywood Week before?
00:06:10Yeah.
00:06:12Many, many, many times.
00:06:14Well, Lionel?
00:06:16Yes.
00:06:17Carrie?
00:06:18Yes.
00:06:20Yes.
00:06:21You're going to Hollywood Week.
00:06:26Oh, my God.
00:06:30I love it.
00:06:31Oh, my God.
00:06:32Thank you all so much.
00:06:34Thank you so much.
00:06:35Are you kidding me?
00:06:36Thank you all for raising this child.
00:06:38Thank you so much.
00:06:39Did well.
00:06:40Enjoy.
00:06:40Thank you so much.
00:06:41So happy for you.
00:06:43See you back soon.
00:06:45I'm proud of you.
00:06:46I'm so proud of you.
00:06:48Oh, my God.
00:06:49You're so sweet by mother-in-law.
00:06:52You're so sweet.
00:06:52Oh, that's so great.
00:06:54She's good.
00:06:56My little princess
00:06:59is going to be the next American Idol.
00:07:03I feel it in my bones.
00:07:05And I won't let you down.
00:07:08I love you, too.
00:07:13how beautiful is this guys last year and the year before we kept saying you can't beat it
00:07:18you can't beat it and we did it is so exciting because we don't know what to expect you never
00:07:24do
00:07:24i can't there are human beings that the world and us doesn't know take us on an emotional ride too
00:07:30and also i think we kind of recognize in the stories just how blessed we are you know because
00:07:37when you get into the lives of some of these beautiful people we learned that the struggles
00:07:42are very different yo yo yo yo yo left turn left turn left turn i am here how are you
00:07:51guys doing
00:07:51we're doing good what is your name sir i am more more what more ilderton i know i'm gonna have
00:07:58some more of nothing i know what you're doing is that a family name uh so my real name is
00:08:02clarence
00:08:03morton ilderton the fourth so we just cut morton in half thank goodness that's way too long i like
00:08:07it yeah i would hate to be called clarence no offense to any clarences where are you from i'm
00:08:11from taze valley west virginia born and raised there and i'm 22 years old tell us a little bit
00:08:17about yourself goodness i was raised by my grandma um i've had a great childhood and the fact that i'm
00:08:24here right now is it's freaking awesome i'm really excited so good since i was two years old i was
00:08:30put
00:08:30into full custody with my grandma and i grew up calling her mom
00:08:36she is an amazing woman i mean i was a mischievous kid i put her through so much
00:08:45whoever i am reaches back to her always he was a kicker on the football team in high school
00:08:51and played basketball and then all of a sudden he started playing the guitar he taught himself
00:08:57he's just really good he's very talented
00:09:04she made my life feel so normal and sacrificed so much for me she's my rock
00:09:10does he know that you're here no when he left i told him i was really sorry i couldn't be
00:09:17there for
00:09:18him and he said i understand and i just think that it was important to him and um
00:09:28i'm gonna cry and i think i really want to be there for him what are you going to be
00:09:34singing for
00:09:34us today i am singing a song a very meaningful song i wrote it it's called strong and i lost
00:09:43my biological
00:09:43mom when i was two years old my dad ended my mom's life oh oh it's about seeing my mom's
00:09:51picture for
00:09:51the first time and not knowing her and just kind of looking at a stranger and just pouring out my
00:09:56emotions of that through this song take your time take your time take it that you're all good
00:10:13take your time hey look up
00:10:19it's all good baby we're here i know all good
00:10:22it's all good
00:10:39said a picture's worth a thousand words but i only got a few
00:10:45when i look down at that frame and i don't even recognize you
00:10:52cause you were taken from me years ago someone i never got to know and now i can only speak
00:11:02when i see
00:11:02your face yeah i'm gonna get scared oh mama
00:11:10i hope you found your way home
00:11:18oh west virginia you're looking and we wish you were
00:11:25oh mama
00:11:35and i don't want to need you anymore i don't want to bleed you anymore
00:11:42everything in me is hanging on you're the only reason that i'm strong
00:11:55i don't want to need you anymore
00:12:02oh mama
00:12:03I hope you found your way home
00:12:13Over West Virginia
00:12:16You're looking and we wish you were
00:12:20Oh, Mama
00:12:34Very cool. Thank you, guys. Very cool.
00:12:38In fact, you took that time and pulled that together.
00:12:41I feel like you went somewhere else when you were singing. It's like we weren't here. In a good way.
00:12:49Thank you. As unnerved as you may feel, I love your delivery. I love the timbre of your voice.
00:12:56And more importantly, that writing was very cool.
00:13:00Thank you so much. That means the world to me, seriously.
00:13:02I mean that. I mean that. Thank you.
00:13:04Yeah, you got all the tools. You got the look. You got the style. You got the hair. You got
00:13:09the heart. The voice.
00:13:11What else has he got, Carrie?
00:13:13He's got support.
00:13:15And where is that support?
00:13:20Wait.
00:13:22Oh, my gosh.
00:13:26Surprise!
00:13:28Oh, my gosh.
00:13:33I haven't been on an airplane for like 25 plus years.
00:13:38Get away.
00:13:39Yeah, this has been exciting.
00:13:41I can't believe you're here.
00:13:42Grandma, what's your name?
00:13:43Sandy.
00:13:44Sandy.
00:13:45Sandy.
00:13:45We want to applaud you for stepping up and raising him.
00:13:49Oh, my gosh. He's been a blessing.
00:13:52But wait, wait. We have some more business.
00:13:53We have to tell him if he is going through to Hollywood week or not.
00:13:57Yes.
00:13:59Yes.
00:14:01I will make that three yeses.
00:14:04I would like to hear more.
00:14:06Oh, hey.
00:14:06Both of you come up this way.
00:14:08Sandy, Sandy.
00:14:08Thank you very much.
00:14:09Congrats.
00:14:10Thank you, sir.
00:14:10Oh, God's sake.
00:14:11I just listened to the whole song.
00:14:13Oh, thank you.
00:14:14And I am really proud of him.
00:14:17You did a good job.
00:14:18Thank you, Mama.
00:14:19The tragedy of all that story to have Nana, Sandy, the family around him.
00:14:26Yeah.
00:14:27He's going to be all right.
00:14:28Thank you so much for surprising me, seriously.
00:14:30Okay.
00:14:31I love you.
00:14:32I'm glad.
00:14:33I love you, too.
00:14:33I love you, too.
00:14:44I love you, too.
00:15:04It's frowned upon.
00:15:06I think this year, Luke has kind of taken a role of being maybe a little tougher than
00:15:12in seasons past.
00:15:14You weren't all the way in control of it.
00:15:18Luke is absolutely out of his mind.
00:15:20In fact, I can go one step further.
00:15:22He's crazy.
00:15:22Everybody's been like, oh, that's great the way she's doing that, but it ain't all the time
00:15:28great.
00:15:28He's been tougher this season.
00:15:31Yeah, she gives a smile when the pain comes.
00:15:36It felt like you had a bunch of Benadryl before you walked in here.
00:15:40Tough crowd.
00:15:41That is the truth.
00:15:42So, he was saying no to everybody.
00:15:46I'm a no.
00:15:49Carrie gave me a look.
00:15:50I did.
00:15:51I gave you a dirty look there.
00:15:54Luke was just grumpy.
00:15:56Am I right or wrong?
00:15:57I'm a no right now.
00:15:59It's a no for me.
00:16:01I'm a no for right now.
00:16:04Wow.
00:16:04I'm trying to make these kids nervous and understand it's tough out there.
00:16:09You're a grumpy old man.
00:16:13Sir, is your name Luke Bryan?
00:16:14It is.
00:16:15Am I in trouble?
00:16:16I heard you were giving too many no's.
00:16:18Is that true?
00:16:18I was giving some no's there, officer.
00:16:21Unfortunately, that is a violation of code idle 26.
00:16:25So, I'm going to need your hand, sir.
00:16:26Oh, goodness.
00:16:28Put your hands like this for me.
00:16:30Make them tight.
00:16:32Easy.
00:16:33Look, look, where am I going?
00:16:35Look, what did you do?
00:16:37Right there, sir.
00:16:38You're in trouble.
00:16:41Oh, that got my attention.
00:16:43Hi.
00:16:44Hello.
00:16:45What's your name?
00:16:46I'm Julia Sienna.
00:16:47I'm 20 years old and I'm a class one officer down by the Jersey Shore.
00:16:51How officially under arrest am I?
00:16:54It depends if you give me a yes or not.
00:16:56So, you might be stuck there.
00:16:58She's got the key.
00:16:59It's up to you.
00:17:00I mean, you're obviously not just here to make me happy.
00:17:04Glad that made you smile.
00:17:06You are here because you like to sing.
00:17:08Yes.
00:17:09So, what are you going to sing for us today?
00:17:12Today, I will be singing I Would by Connie Tauboff.
00:17:14Okay.
00:17:16Let's hear you.
00:17:20Never knew my hands to shake.
00:17:23Never had my heart beat so fast.
00:17:29Finally found the words to say.
00:17:32But I'm scared you won't say them back.
00:17:35I wish that you could read my mind so you could see what's locked up inside.
00:17:47Could I ask a couple questions before the moment passes us by?
00:18:01Would you give all your life if I gave you all of mine?
00:18:11Would you love me unconditionally, be everything that I need, and do anything for love?
00:18:30Would you love me unconditionally, be everything that I need, and do anything for love?
00:18:39Because I would, I would, I would.
00:18:53Wow.
00:18:54Yeah.
00:18:56All right.
00:18:58Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow.
00:19:01Where's the key?
00:19:03Depends.
00:19:04I loved it.
00:19:06I loved it.
00:19:07No, really, really great.
00:19:09Now can I see the key?
00:19:12There you go.
00:19:13Oh, she is holding her car.
00:19:15I loved it.
00:19:16I love you.
00:19:17I love you too.
00:19:18I feel like you are such a fantastic representation of every woman.
00:19:25You come in, you are, you're strong, you're gorgeous.
00:19:30You have a strength in your voice, and then you have these beautiful notes at the top that
00:19:35are very soft and pretty, and it's all the things all wrapped into one, and I love that
00:19:42very much.
00:19:43Thank you so much.
00:19:45I love your voice.
00:19:46You've got substance in there.
00:19:48You've got some natural abilities that you're just working and not really aware that you're
00:19:53doing it.
00:19:53Thank you, sir.
00:19:56I'm really ready to vote.
00:19:58Yeah.
00:20:00Motivated.
00:20:00Set free of my...
00:20:01He's motivated.
00:20:04Yes.
00:20:06It's a yes for me, for sure.
00:20:08And it's an absolute yes for me.
00:20:10Thank you so much.
00:20:11Release the prisoner.
00:20:12Oh, the prisoner.
00:20:14And get your ticket.
00:20:16Oh, okay.
00:20:17Wait, are we sure we want to do this?
00:20:18Oh, no.
00:20:19Carry on.
00:20:20Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:20:21We've got one back.
00:20:23There you go.
00:20:24All right.
00:20:25There we go.
00:20:25Now, Luke, tell the words.
00:20:27With full mobility, welcome to Hollywood Week.
00:20:31Thank you so much, sir.
00:20:32Thank you very much.
00:20:32Good job.
00:20:34Oh, that's so great.
00:20:36I've fallen in love.
00:20:40Let's go.
00:20:42Have you ever been arrested?
00:20:44I have never been arrested.
00:20:45Really?
00:20:46Have you?
00:20:47Of course not.
00:20:48Oh, look at her.
00:20:49Oh, come on, guys.
00:20:50You've got to be arrested once.
00:20:56Hopefully, arresting Luke set him straight
00:20:58and that he will be willing to give everybody a yes as well.
00:21:0210-4, this officer is out.
00:21:05See you at Hollywood Week.
00:21:06Woo!
00:21:08Line of view.
00:21:09Yeah.
00:21:10You have been arrested?
00:21:11Yeah, and the officer said,
00:21:12okay, I'll let you go,
00:21:13but you have to call your parents on the phone.
00:21:14And I said, lock me up.
00:21:16You're ready for me.
00:21:26Come down off your throne
00:21:29Leave that body alone
00:21:33Somebody must change
00:21:38You are the reason
00:21:40I've been waiting so long
00:21:43Somebody holds the key
00:21:47And I'm near the end
00:21:52And I just ain't got the time
00:21:57Oh, and wasted
00:22:01And I can't find my way home
00:22:06No, I can't
00:22:10Ooh, no, I can't
00:22:13Can't find my way home
00:22:19All right.
00:22:20Yeah, yeah.
00:22:23Man, I love your confidence.
00:22:25Yeah, right?
00:22:26It really means a lot.
00:22:27I mean, you went from a little Billy Joel with a guitar
00:22:30to Bon Jovi to Brian Adams
00:22:33I mean, but what I'm loving about all this
00:22:35is that it's fresh.
00:22:37You're checking some boxes for me.
00:22:38That's very kind of you.
00:22:39I appreciate it.
00:22:40Very cool voice.
00:22:42How long have you been performing?
00:22:44I started playing when I was nine.
00:22:45I picked up guitar then
00:22:46and then roughly six months later
00:22:48I played my first show
00:22:48and just sort of snowballed from there.
00:22:50As a nine-year-old, you play your first show?
00:22:52Yeah.
00:22:53That's cool.
00:22:54That's cool.
00:22:54You can tell you've been playing.
00:22:56You can tell you were comfortable with the guitar.
00:22:58I'm excited for you.
00:23:00Thank you so much.
00:23:01Can we vote?
00:23:02Yes.
00:23:02Yes.
00:23:04Luke.
00:23:05Yes.
00:23:06Yes.
00:23:07That's three yeses.
00:23:09Thank you guys.
00:23:09You're good.
00:23:10I know.
00:23:11Can I shake your hands?
00:23:12Oh, please, man.
00:23:13We're trending.
00:23:14We're trending.
00:23:15It's great to meet you guys.
00:23:16Thank you so much.
00:23:17It really means the world.
00:23:19Good to meet you.
00:23:20It means a lot.
00:23:21I'll see you guys soon.
00:23:22Oh, my boy is in Jersey
00:23:22and tell him, wait, he's got another one coming.
00:23:25That's very kind of you.
00:23:26Thank you guys so much.
00:23:27Very good, man.
00:23:27It means the world.
00:23:28Very good.
00:23:28Have a great rest of your day.
00:23:29I know they're long, you know.
00:23:31See you at Hollywood Week.
00:23:32Thank you guys again.
00:23:33It really means a lot.
00:23:35No, he's really good.
00:23:37Very poised.
00:23:38Very, yes.
00:23:39Thank you very much.
00:23:40Thank you guys so much.
00:23:42Have a great day.
00:23:43It was a great time.
00:23:44I mean, I'm so grateful for the opportunity.
00:23:46We know you're going to have a couple of ups and downs today.
00:23:48Going to be a little on and off your game, but I'll be pulling for you.
00:23:51Yeah, thank you.
00:23:52Have a nice day.
00:23:55You look great.
00:23:56Yeah.
00:23:57Love it.
00:23:58How we doing?
00:24:00Good.
00:24:01Loving the shirt.
00:24:02The shirt choice.
00:24:03Got my area coat back on it.
00:24:04Oh, come on.
00:24:05Come on.
00:24:06All right.
00:24:07Well, tell us who you are.
00:24:08My name is Landon Hughes.
00:24:09I'm from Hazard, Kentucky.
00:24:10I'm 19 years old, and I'm a college soccer player as well.
00:24:13College soccer player.
00:24:15Yes, sir.
00:24:15What college are you at?
00:24:16I'm at Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio.
00:24:18Are you enjoying doing that?
00:24:19I'll be God's honest.
00:24:20I had a...
00:24:21I'll be God's honest.
00:24:22You got to be somewhere from Kentucky to go God's honest.
00:24:25Yeah.
00:24:26To be honest, I love it.
00:24:27You know, I didn't think going up there would be as much of a life-changing experience as
00:24:30it is, but it kind of made me re-fall in love with music.
00:24:38As Appalachians, we have a very unique experience in life, but I used to hate home when I was
00:24:43growing up.
00:24:44You know, after coal crashed, you know, a lot of stuff was taken away, and I was the first
00:24:48generation to really experience a hazard with not a lot.
00:24:51When I first moved out of Kentucky, I started playing college soccer, and, you know, I started
00:24:56missing home.
00:24:56Tell me, why did you run?
00:24:59Obviously, being from southeast Kentucky, bluegrass is our genre.
00:25:02And I started listening to the old albums, you know, and every time I hear it, it transforms
00:25:05me back to the mountains.
00:25:06Whether I'm in Cleveland or Nashville, it really transforms me back home.
00:25:13You know, listening to Bluegrass really made me realize that I took Appalachia for advantage
00:25:16for many years when I lived there, and now I've changed.
00:25:19I'm here 100% to represent Appalachia.
00:25:22When I play the music, that's the sound of home.
00:25:24When they see me, that's the look of home.
00:25:26And I walk with it every day, you know.
00:25:27I carry dirt from home on my boots.
00:25:29I carry home with me, and I carry here to American Idol because I'm proud of it.
00:25:33You go in there and sell them with this small town, eastern Kentucky boy.
00:25:38Hazard, Kentucky.
00:25:40Let's go get it.
00:25:41I genuinely appreciate this audition more than a lot of people ever know.
00:25:44And I'm going out here to pick it.
00:25:46Pick it fast.
00:25:47Sing it loud.
00:25:49Hopefully it has an impact on them.
00:26:03Little Maggie with a drink glass in her hand
00:26:08She's drinking away all the troubles
00:26:11And she's caught in another man
00:26:19Lay down your last gold dollar
00:26:22Lay down your gold watch and chain
00:26:25Little Maggie's gonna dance with daddy
00:26:27Listen to this old guitar ring
00:26:36Go away, go away
00:26:44Little Maggie
00:26:45Go and do the best that you can
00:26:47I'm gonna get me another woman
00:26:50If you can get you another man
00:26:58Thank you very much.
00:27:00I appreciate it.
00:27:03You make me happy.
00:27:05Okay, I have one for real question.
00:27:09So in this competition, we do Rock Hall of Fame.
00:27:13We do Disney Night.
00:27:14We throw things at you.
00:27:16We want you to be you.
00:27:18Can you be you in other genres?
00:27:23I think I can do about every genre.
00:27:24I love music all across the board.
00:27:26Not just bluegrass because where I'm from
00:27:27But I love every bit of music.
00:27:29You're old school that you can be.
00:27:31I like your vibe.
00:27:32I just want to make sure that you understand
00:27:34In that character that you have of your voice
00:27:37You're going to have to take us on that journey
00:27:39Where we don't get too comfortable
00:27:41Knowing what you're going to do.
00:27:43You're going to have to kind of guide us through it.
00:27:45Vocally, I'm a little skeptical.
00:27:48There was some stuff you did at the end
00:27:50Where you had a little vibrato in there
00:27:51And it was really nice.
00:27:52So I think you're still exploring a lot with your voice.
00:27:57I feel like you deserve a chance to prove yourself.
00:28:01But if you should make it through
00:28:03You're going to have to work on your delivery
00:28:05And pulling us in
00:28:06And some of the softer tones
00:28:08Just really emoting.
00:28:11It's a yes for me.
00:28:13I would like to see what you do.
00:28:15Thank you very much.
00:28:16I really appreciate that.
00:28:18I really am just going on faith.
00:28:21It's a yes for me.
00:28:23I do think you may have a little bit of an uphill climb
00:28:27With some of these voices in this competition
00:28:29But there's only one way you can learn.
00:28:32He's riding that wind somewhere
00:28:34And look at me
00:28:35Yes for me.
00:28:36Oh my God.
00:28:38You know, thank you.
00:28:44This means the world to me.
00:28:46You said you need to fly wherever you are
00:28:48For so long I was afraid of kind of exploring who I was
00:28:51And where I was from.
00:28:52And up
00:28:55You know, I can finally be who I am
00:28:56And be proud of it, you know
00:29:00Don't be afraid
00:29:02Thank you
00:29:03Thank you
00:29:04Thank you so much
00:29:05Thank you so much
00:29:07Thank you
00:29:07Thank you
00:29:07Thank you
00:29:08Thank you
00:29:08Thank you
00:29:09You got it
00:29:10You got it, man
00:29:11You're going to Hollywood
00:29:12Looking at you
00:29:13You're looking at me
00:29:14I'm watching you break
00:29:16And you're watching me bleed
00:29:18I think he scared himself
00:29:19We said, yes, yes, yes
00:29:21He just went, what?
00:29:23You sure?
00:29:24Are you sure you're talking to me?
00:29:27I know my audition wasn't perfect
00:29:28But I appreciate you
00:29:29Giving me the confidence that I need
00:29:31And giving me the ability to, you know, change my life
00:29:36This has my heart
00:29:37You know, it's everything
00:29:40And I'm very proud to take this ticket back home
00:29:47Belmont's pretty nice, huh?
00:29:48This is one of the most beautiful campuses I've ever checked out
00:29:51Classes in session
00:29:52Bring on the talent
00:29:54Hello
00:29:55How are you?
00:29:56Good, how are you?
00:29:57What's happening?
00:29:58What's up, guys?
00:29:59With the theme of Idol University this year
00:30:01It's been fun to kind of do some teaching
00:30:04Who are you?
00:30:05Landon McGraw
00:30:06I'm from Wheelersburg, Ohio
00:30:07Learned to play guitar from kind of a
00:30:09Probably shouldn't say this to everybody
00:30:10But I lied to a bunch of girls
00:30:12That I could play guitar and sing
00:30:13Well, you lied, but then you made it right
00:30:15So that makes it okay, right?
00:30:18We end up being professors, too
00:30:21Our hopefuls, our students
00:30:23You've been here
00:30:24Seven years longer than me
00:30:29Don't you know
00:30:30You're supposed to be the man
00:30:33All right, do you sing
00:30:34Happy birthday that way?
00:30:36Happy birthday
00:30:38Happy birthday to your world
00:30:41I should
00:30:42We're not here to tear them down
00:30:44We're here to inspire them
00:30:45I pray
00:30:48Pray I'm not out on my own
00:30:52Sometimes the growl was needed
00:30:54And sometimes you didn't have to have the growl
00:30:56Yeah
00:30:56You're telling right in the middle of the story
00:30:58And you're going
00:30:58And I'm going, okay, that was a hemorrhoid
00:31:02I guess I can't use that
00:31:04But not that
00:31:04Like, did he just say it?
00:31:06That is a visual
00:31:08In the music world, you kind of have to be ready all the time to sing
00:31:12Sing happy birthday
00:31:13Happy birthday, dear Luke
00:31:18Happy birthday to you
00:31:20That's already better than anything you've done
00:31:23We're just going to show it to you
00:31:26Pray that we close all this distance between us
00:31:30I pray
00:31:32That's what you want all the way throughout that song
00:31:35Sometimes just the simplest thing has them hanging on every word and every note
00:31:39Yes for me
00:31:40Thank you so much
00:31:41I'm going to give you a big, giant yes
00:31:43Thank you
00:31:44I'm only messing with you because I'm going to give you a yes
00:31:47If you work on it and get better
00:31:50I'm a yes
00:31:51I did it
00:31:59Me and Carrie and Lionel
00:32:02We don't miss any opportunity to teach them a few things
00:32:05I never lost a wine
00:32:08Way that I love you
00:32:14Ooh
00:32:15Ooh
00:32:18Ooh
00:32:19Ooh
00:32:23Ooh
00:32:23Ooh
00:32:23Ooh
00:32:23Ooh
00:32:31Carrie, what do you think?
00:32:32You have a really great instrument. I felt like the piano was distracting me.
00:32:37Correct.
00:32:37i don't know what it was or if it was like the you know drawing out certain notes or something
00:32:43and then like getting back into some sort of rhythm on the piano but i was like i'm trying to
00:32:47follow okay i'm trying to follow and i can't i want to tap my toe and i can't do it
00:32:52do you
00:32:52gig out a lot of you is music paying the bills um i actually am a vocal coach at destiny
00:32:58music studio
00:32:59ah so you instill in the kids the confidence to be great singers and not be afraid of the stage
00:33:07yes sir i hope they see me up here too and see themselves and me and get inspired that they
00:33:12can
00:33:12do this too brenna you are such an inspiration and your students are so proud of you and they
00:33:18wish that they could be here today and they recorded a video oh my gosh i'm gonna cry
00:33:25you can do this miss brana i believe in you good luck miss brenna we're so proud of you i
00:33:31love you
00:33:32miss brenna and i wish you the best luck ever oh my gosh that is the best thing i've ever
00:33:42seen
00:33:44my students mean the world to me so many kids come in sharing their dreams with me and it feels
00:33:49like
00:33:49me being here shows that with part of work and never giving up anything is possible do you have
00:33:54another song that you could do like sans piano yeah i can do on my church by mary morris try
00:33:59to
00:34:00breathe and settle down i've cussed on a sunday i've cheated and i've lied i've fallen down from grace a
00:34:14few too
00:34:15many times but i find holy redemption when i put this car in drive roll the windows down and turn
00:34:25up the
00:34:25down can i get a hallelujah can i get an amen feels like the holy ghost running through you when
00:34:37i play the
00:34:38how am i find my song father singing every single verse yeah i guess that's my search
00:34:51that was better that was much better you have a huge range you can sing softly you can belt on
00:34:59the
00:34:59higher stuff definitely feel like there needs to be some fine tuning here and there but i feel like
00:35:04you have one of the better voices that we have heard so far thank you you're a vocal coach but
00:35:10i feel
00:35:11like if me and lionel left and you and her had two hours when we come back you would be
00:35:16maybe a hundred
00:35:16percent more of a dynamic singer you got all the tools vocally yes sir thank you i think there's so
00:35:23much promise i love your vibe it's a yes or mean that's one that's one make it two it's a
00:35:33yes card
00:35:35make it three all right it gives me great pleasure to say you're going to hollywood week
00:35:41week thank you getting through yeses feels absolutely amazing this is the life i've always
00:35:47dreamed of for myself i've never wanted to be anything else but a singer
00:35:57yeah she's she's got a thing there a little star dust on her i can't wait for my students to
00:36:03see me
00:36:03on their tvs like i really hope they just see themselves in me i'm going to hollywood week
00:36:12more to common american idol where the search for the next incredible class of singers continues
00:36:20you say you don't mean what you're saying to me but the glimmer in your eyes is telling me other
00:36:28things
00:36:28i don't want to get undressed for a new person all over again i don't want to kiss someone else's
00:36:41neck and
00:36:42have to pretend it's yours instead no i don't want to get undressed for a new person all over again
00:36:58you got a voice it's just identity now it's like who are you going to be walking out on stage
00:37:03i got
00:37:04you yeah tell us some more about you do you write yes sir i write music and i i work
00:37:09at a golf course
00:37:10and i work at a golf course i do you golfer oh oh is he a golfer no no we
00:37:16lost him you need a caddy
00:37:18you're a caddy yes sir we have an orange or anything a piece of fruit i need to see if
00:37:23this guy can read
00:37:24a putt got any fruit over there i need a putter i need a broom or something somebody coming in
00:37:37i just broke the mic stance dang it luke we need a tech
00:37:45maddy get ready all right you've never had golf like this before hold that yep all right here's
00:37:51the hole yeah come here oh now you get one roll to read it all right looks like it's got
00:37:59some right
00:37:59to left in there all right we're good yeah a little inside the mark there am i going
00:38:09ah good read here we go
00:38:14i mean i would use the other end yeah yeah oh a little uh brew stick there you go
00:38:25terrible that was just that was beautiful luke let me tell you something if you're going to do it
00:38:29do it right give lionel a read i mean i gotta read i know listen i know where it is
00:38:33all right watch this
00:38:38go in that's in you drained it pretty good thank you very much right you know why because i'm the
00:38:45master of putt putt how'd you like that that was good great come on man come on good line all
00:38:51right
00:38:51let's just let's just do it take charge of this luke yes i'm a yes you're on your way it's
00:39:00a yes
00:39:07nobody gives you credit for my putt putt man come on that was you did good with that
00:39:28my name is bella emery i'm 22 years old and i'm from bend organ
00:39:34bend is beautiful lots of trees lots of nature we don't have as many like big places to perform
00:39:40but that is the goal rather than working which i work all the time
00:39:47we are heading to yoli the restaurant that i work at service industry is not my dream but i feel
00:39:56proud
00:39:57of where i work i also work for my parents they own a concrete restoration business so bella can you
00:40:07make sure they get noticed no shade to my parents but um i'd much rather be singing and i would
00:40:16love
00:40:16to make in my life
00:40:21i've been watching idol since i was a little kid now i'm doing it i am the most nervous i
00:40:27think i have
00:40:27ever been in my whole life singing is second nature to me but i do not perform for people so
00:40:33this could be
00:40:34life changing granddaddy ran shine in east tennessee this is where i got my need for speed
00:40:45i sell it illegal to people numbing their pain
00:40:50i'm a little crazy but the world's insane
00:40:54and oh once you get to know me i'm a coyote in a field of walls
00:41:08and oh i'm a red light rebel some become the devil when the moon's full
00:41:18oh yeah the only thing keeping these tracks on the train
00:41:25knowing i'm a little crazy but the world's insane
00:41:33i'm a little crazy but the world's insane
00:41:43i'm a little crazy but the world's insane
00:41:55ya well
00:41:57and oh once you get to know me
00:42:00amazing
00:42:01i'm a coyote in a field of walls
00:42:07and so i'm a red light rebel some become the devil
00:42:15when the moon is full
00:42:17Oh, yeah, the only thing keeping these tracks on the train,
00:42:24knowing I'm a little crazy, but the world's insane.
00:42:30Oh, I'm a little crazy, but the world's insane.
00:42:40That was great.
00:42:43I'm surprised to hear you say that you don't perform.
00:42:48I actually don't really do anything like this.
00:42:51My heart's beating really fast.
00:42:53You seemed very comfortable just telling a story.
00:42:57Nobody was breathing when you were singing,
00:42:59and just kind of hanging on every word with you, so well done.
00:43:05Yeah, you're so raw and unpolished.
00:43:08I wasn't expecting you to be able to really hold our attention like that.
00:43:11I mean, you didn't hit a bad note.
00:43:14You held the guitar together really, really well,
00:43:16and you delivered that song in your own way.
00:43:20When you walked out, Bella, the first thing I said was,
00:43:25very cool vibe.
00:43:27Thanks.
00:43:27And when you finished singing, Bella, I said, very cool vibe.
00:43:32Idol Universe has been waiting on you.
00:43:35Thank you so much.
00:43:35You are scholarship material, my dear.
00:43:38And all I can say is, if you're going to hold that one time around,
00:43:41let's see some more.
00:43:42It's a yes for me this week.
00:43:44I, too, would like to hear more of Bella,
00:43:47so it is a big old yes for me.
00:43:49Bella, it's a hella yella.
00:43:54It's a yes.
00:43:55I love that.
00:43:57Congrats.
00:43:58Thank you so much.
00:43:58Welcome to Hollywood Week.
00:44:00I am pumped.
00:44:06Now, for someone who doesn't do that,
00:44:07how'd you just do that?
00:44:09You know, I don't know.
00:44:10All right.
00:44:12This is completely and utterly outside of my comfort zone.
00:44:16She just laid back and put that out there.
00:44:19I love that.
00:44:20I'm sure it will get even harder,
00:44:22but I feel a little bit more like I can do this.
00:44:25Like, this is an actual possibility for me.
00:44:27She was great.
00:44:36Let's do this.
00:44:37All gas, no brakes.
00:44:39All gas, no brakes.
00:44:41All gas, no brakes.
00:44:44Let's do it!
00:44:46Shoulders back, head up, squeeze your butt and smile.
00:44:49Family pose in the mirror.
00:44:50One, two, three.
00:44:52Prime time.
00:44:54How are you going to react if you get a boat ticket?
00:44:56I'll lose my mind.
00:44:57I'm a jumper door, probably do a toe touch,
00:44:59probably pick my mom up or something.
00:45:01I like your enthusiasm, your energy.
00:45:03You always had that?
00:45:04Yes, sir.
00:45:05I try my best, you know?
00:45:06Look up life with optimism, you know what I mean?
00:45:08Good.
00:45:08Yes.
00:45:09If you're having a bad day, here's your guy.
00:45:11Yeah.
00:45:11Right here.
00:45:12Seeing Ryan Seacrest, I've heard your voice
00:45:14and seen your face through TV,
00:45:15and now you're, like, right in front of me.
00:45:16I'm so excited.
00:45:18Today's the day to show whether, you know,
00:45:20you got it or you don't got it.
00:45:22Hello.
00:45:23Hey, Nell.
00:45:24Hi, hi.
00:45:25How are you?
00:45:26Nice to meet you.
00:45:27Me too.
00:45:27I like the look.
00:45:28Yeah.
00:45:28Thank you, thank you very much.
00:45:30Tell us about yourself.
00:45:31Well, hi, I'm Bartley.
00:45:33I'm 23 years old from Austin, Texas,
00:45:35and I do music for a living.
00:45:37This is my full-time job.
00:45:38I do three to four gigs, sometimes five a week
00:45:41on a really busy week.
00:45:42When did you start playing?
00:45:44I started playing guitar in second grade.
00:45:46I've been singing since I can remember.
00:45:48My mom couldn't get me to be quiet.
00:45:49I need my hearing aid on.
00:45:53You won't in a minute, because you know he's loud.
00:45:55My mom grew me up on Temptations,
00:45:59Lionel Richie, Sammy Davis Jr.
00:46:01It's so funny.
00:46:02I mean, I know Sammy's son.
00:46:04Oh, really?
00:46:05And you could be the clone.
00:46:07That is crazy.
00:46:08Very cool.
00:46:09What are you going to do for us?
00:46:10Texas son, Leon Bridges.
00:46:11OK, let's hear it.
00:46:20You say you like the wind blowing through your head
00:46:24Come on, roll with me till the sun goes down
00:46:32Texas son
00:46:53Caressing you from Fort Worth down to Amarillo
00:46:57Come on, roll with me till the sun dips low
00:47:05Texas son
00:47:09When I'm far from home and the cold winds blow
00:47:13Stuck somewhere with folks, I don't know
00:47:17Cause you keep me nice and you keep me warm
00:47:21Won't you come on, won't you come on over, baby
00:47:23Can't wait to get back there again
00:47:30Texas son
00:47:33Thank you
00:47:35Very cool.
00:47:37I love your voice.
00:47:39Thank you so much.
00:47:39Song choice is going to be paramount.
00:47:43Because I feel like you already are entertaining before you do anything.
00:47:47You know what I mean?
00:47:48And it's like you're not trying too hard.
00:47:50It's not gimmicky or anything.
00:47:52It's like just a cool style.
00:47:54So I feel like when people see you
00:47:56They're going to expect something interesting and cool.
00:47:59Yes.
00:47:59Right.
00:48:00And that's what we kind of like here at Idle.
00:48:02Somebody that isn't cookie cutter.
00:48:04You're kind of unique to your own thing.
00:48:06Thank you, sir.
00:48:08Soulful top end, man.
00:48:10Yes, sir.
00:48:10Soulful top end.
00:48:11If you can make the bottom end, the verse guy, the top end guy, that's the key.
00:48:16That's a voice up that is so on the money.
00:48:21Yes, sir.
00:48:22Thank you so much, y'all.
00:48:23That was like some of the best advice I could have had.
00:48:25You're at the University of Idle, man.
00:48:27This is the best advice we're going to ever give you.
00:48:29This is a great class.
00:48:30Carrie, what do you think?
00:48:31I would like to hear more.
00:48:34I'm a yes.
00:48:35Thanks.
00:48:36Luke?
00:48:36Yes.
00:48:39It's a yes from me, man.
00:48:41Oh, my God.
00:48:41No way.
00:48:42You are going to Hollywood.
00:48:44Oh, my God.
00:48:47Thank you guys so much.
00:48:48It's so nice to meet you.
00:48:49Congratulations.
00:48:50It's so nice to meet you.
00:48:51I'm usually not one to be lost for words, but right now, I don't even know what to say.
00:48:57Here he comes with that golden ticket.
00:49:09He's funny.
00:49:10Yeah, I love his personality.
00:49:12Is there a name for that?
00:49:14What's that called?
00:49:14No, it's getting a little.
00:49:15The cricket chicken wing.
00:49:16The cricket chicken wing.
00:49:17The cricket chicken wing.
00:49:18Okay.
00:49:18Pretty good at that.
00:49:19Oh, Ray.
00:49:20We would not get back up if we got down there.
00:49:22I don't think it was me.
00:49:23I think so.
00:49:23I'm Bartley, and I'm going to be your next American Idol.
00:49:27That's it.
00:49:28Congratulations.
00:49:34Come to the end of the road.
00:49:40Wow.
00:49:41This room is so fun.
00:49:42This room is working it.
00:49:43Where do you sing mostly when you're not obviously here?
00:49:46In my living room.
00:49:48With an audience of?
00:49:50Just him.
00:49:51Just him.
00:49:51Yeah.
00:49:52To the end of the road.
00:49:58Still I can't let go.
00:50:02Here we go.
00:50:03This is it.
00:50:04You belong to me.
00:50:06You belong to me.
00:50:08I belong to you.
00:50:11Ah.
00:50:13Hi.
00:50:14How you doing?
00:50:15I'm about to start crying.
00:50:17Don't do that.
00:50:18The good tears?
00:50:19Yeah.
00:50:20It's like nerves and tears and just being happy.
00:50:23I'm just thankful to be here.
00:50:24Boys, the men just left, so I'm telling you.
00:50:26Okay, then.
00:50:27What's your name?
00:50:28Chloe Lauren.
00:50:29Chloe, where are you from?
00:50:30I'm from a very small town called Warrenville, South Carolina.
00:50:35Yeah.
00:50:36What do you do there?
00:50:37I want to stay at home all night.
00:50:39Oh, that's good.
00:50:40Why are you so emotional?
00:50:41Because I'm so lucky.
00:50:43I didn't think I'd ever get to be somewhere like this.
00:50:45Aw.
00:50:45Aw, that's so sweet.
00:50:47Um, well, who came with you today?
00:50:49Um, I have my mom, my dad, my husband, and my two-year-old.
00:50:55Wow.
00:50:56Wow.
00:50:56I saw the mountains and they saw me.
00:51:00I actually started singing when I was probably about four.
00:51:04I've always had the dream of being a singer.
00:51:08And then, you know, I met my husband, and we had a baby, and with the motherhood.
00:51:14Yeah, I just stopped singing.
00:51:20And my husband would look at me and be like, why don't you sing again?
00:51:24Like, why don't you do something for yourself?
00:51:26This is day one of me posting myself singing.
00:51:30I decided to start singing again, and it led me to here, so.
00:51:37You all ready?
00:51:39Where did it go?
00:51:40Sweet.
00:51:41It's kind of empowering to me.
00:51:43So I'm just, I'm really lucky.
00:51:46Well, we're going to give you some news right now.
00:51:49We're going to invite you to sing for Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie.
00:51:53Congratulations.
00:51:59Now I feel like it's my time to find me again and give myself a chance.
00:52:06So I'm really thankful to be here.
00:52:09It's a blessing.
00:52:10I've never performed in front of people before ever in my life.
00:52:14Wow.
00:52:15You know you're going to have to pull it together to sing us a song.
00:52:19Yeah.
00:52:20Yeah.
00:52:20I know, I know.
00:52:21Okay, what are you going to sing for us now?
00:52:24I'm going to sing Maybe by Sienna Spiro.
00:52:26Ah, very good.
00:52:28All right.
00:52:29All right.
00:52:31Here we go.
00:52:32Here we go.
00:52:39All I wanted was to be a hostage
00:52:44For you to tie me up and never let me leave
00:52:50If we're honest
00:52:52It took the longest
00:52:54Time for you to even notice I was here
00:53:01You said you'd take me places
00:53:04Then you kept me waiting
00:53:07How the hell could I be so wrong
00:53:13But now I'm feeling dated
00:53:15I thought I was your favorite
00:53:18I believed in you for so long
00:53:23Maybe this time
00:53:25You hurt like I do
00:53:28You won't get no sympathy
00:53:31Cause I got none from you
00:53:34Couldn't make up your mind
00:53:37Mine's not confused
00:53:40Nothing left in me
00:53:42The ones that leave a space for you
00:53:45Cause I'm not yours
00:53:48But it's not the same
00:53:51As it was before
00:53:55Don't fantasize when you picture me
00:53:57When you close your eyes
00:53:59And I'm in your dreams
00:54:00Don't matter to hurt
00:54:02Don't matter to me
00:54:03Think I care
00:54:05I know
00:54:05Maybe this time
00:54:08You hurt like I do
00:54:10You won't get no sympathy
00:54:13Cause I got none from you
00:54:16Couldn't make up your mind
00:54:19Mine's not confused
00:54:22Nothing left in me
00:54:25The ones that leave a space for you
00:54:27So maybe this time
00:54:30Maybe this time
00:54:34Maybe this time
00:54:36You'll feel like I do
00:54:38It don't feel so good
00:54:44When it's your turning blue
00:54:54Oh yeah
00:54:56He's standing
00:54:58I have a lot of emotions today
00:55:01So I was fighting through that one
00:55:02Yeah
00:55:02It's hard to find people
00:55:05With unique
00:55:05Unique sounds
00:55:07And unique qualities
00:55:09You've got something amazing
00:55:11To work with
00:55:11And if I can just
00:55:12Hold you in place
00:55:14I'm game
00:55:15You know what I'm saying
00:55:16Don't look over your shoulder
00:55:17Just look in front of you
00:55:19Yeah
00:55:19Okay
00:55:20The possibilities of you
00:55:22Going forward in your life
00:55:23Could be amazing
00:55:24Okay
00:55:25You have a really special voice
00:55:27A lot of times when we get voices
00:55:29With that kind of texture
00:55:31They can't hit the high notes
00:55:33Like you did
00:55:34Oh thank you
00:55:35When we give you confidence
00:55:36Cause we can sense that it's not all there
00:55:40I mean I really think you can hit notes bigger than you are hitting
00:55:45I can't when I'm in my living room
00:55:47Just get ready to go for it
00:55:50Okay
00:55:50Go for it all
00:55:52Yeah
00:55:54I'm a yes
00:55:55Okay
00:55:55I am an excited
00:55:58Over the moon
00:55:59Yes
00:56:00Thank you
00:56:01I too
00:56:02Am excited
00:56:03And it's a yes
00:56:08Okay
00:56:08We're going to go in there
00:56:09And ride around a little bit
00:56:10We're going to check out the track inside
00:56:13I'm feeling all the feelings right now
00:56:16Just people like me
00:56:17Don't get to come to places like this
00:56:19So it feels
00:56:20It feels emotional
00:56:22Hi cutie
00:56:23There you go
00:56:24Where you going bud?
00:56:24He's on and he's off
00:56:26He's like I don't need you people
00:56:27I see smiles
00:56:32And a ticket
00:56:33It feels kind of surreal to me right now
00:56:39To be able to chase this dream
00:56:43Yeah
00:56:43So we're here though
00:56:45So I'm excited
00:56:46And I'm thankful
00:56:47Mom's got her ticket
00:56:49Mom's got her ticket
00:56:50You see it?
00:56:52He's like
00:56:52Yeah
00:56:59Welcome
00:56:59Welcome to American Idol
00:57:01Gearing up for Idol auditions
00:57:03Is no easy feat
00:57:04You got to stay in the zone
00:57:07You ready?
00:57:08Yeah I'm ready
00:57:09Prepare your mind
00:57:10Body
00:57:13And voice
00:57:16It's important to stay hydrated
00:57:18So you're ready to hit center stage
00:57:21Okay let's go
00:57:23See you later
00:57:31Well people are tired to tell me
00:57:34Just do what you wanna do
00:57:36But I try to allow my mom's advice
00:57:38And that's always got me through
00:57:40And I fall in short of glory
00:57:42At least a time or two
00:57:44Temptation all around me
00:57:47And I'm reaching out for you
00:57:49So I'm gonna fall
00:57:52Down on my knees
00:57:57And thank the Lord
00:58:27Do you know how far it is
00:58:28to that audition I like the effort though you can hear a voice thank you so much thank you get
00:58:54you
00:58:54woke up I love your energy well thank you so much that come from I'm just so glad to be
00:59:00here I love to
00:59:02sing 50s rock and roll I love to lead worship at my church and I love to do Taekwondo I'm
00:59:09not sure
00:59:09you're there all the way vocally but man you hooked the heck out of me the moves on guitar is
00:59:16really
00:59:16really great I wouldn't tell you to change a thing thank you thank you so much your stage presence
00:59:22is electrifying but I don't want you to be a gimmick take your vocals and your performance
00:59:28is really serious at this point it's a yes it's a yes for me Jason you are on the right
00:59:34path work on
00:59:36the softer side of your voice a little bit but I will give you a yes I'm a yes I'm
00:59:43on the train
00:59:43yes wow wow wow oh that was right in your face thank you so much thank you so much wait
00:59:55actually
00:59:55y'all like me to teach you some Taekwondo my son takes Taekwondo so I've sat through many a class
01:00:01who wants to choke me I do all right so we can do we can do a kick I don't
01:00:07need to pull a testicle
01:00:09don't worry you're just gonna go up yeah just like that there you go I finally found something I'm a
01:00:17naturalist wow no hell no hell no he's the character you hooked them in huh yes sir congratulations
01:00:51my name is Abayami Lewis I'm 15 years old I'm actually Haitian so shout out to my Caribbean
01:00:56people out there my grandmother has always been telling me ever since I was there like I have to
01:01:07see you on that TV like with her Haitian little accent and everything the place that I was dreaming
01:01:13for waiting for that moment and here you are the woman in my family are big inspiration they're very
01:01:26powerful they are very strong they inspire me and motivate me to continue being who I am I'm
01:01:34reading down there what is this award-winning poet I like to write a lot with what in ninth grade
01:01:41my
01:01:42mother signed me up for poetry competition and do those poems translate into songs often yes definitely
01:01:48what do you plan to sing for the judges I plan to sing black news by Kirby I chose that
01:01:52song because
01:01:53it's a song of empowerment for black women that's where I truly connect
01:02:02black leaves in the Mississippi River
01:02:09black leaves in the Mississippi fire
01:02:15black leaves in Mississippi land and we got got got anchors we got sons and daughters we got grit and
01:02:31glory we got mama story we got straight light powers we got hope and power
01:02:49WE got made woman with an iron hand raise her up from heaven's land we got
01:02:59we got hope and power we got hope and power me with an iron hand raise her up from heaven's
01:03:10land god made woman with an iron hand
01:03:12and heads, raise them up in heaven's bed, black leaves.
01:03:3415 going on 72.
01:03:38Once you open your mouth, everybody goes,
01:03:40OK, what's happening?
01:03:41You have some abilities far beyond your age,
01:03:44and I'd like to give you my check.
01:03:49You have the ability to captivate and milk moments.
01:03:54Just a ton of potential here.
01:03:59Your artistic approach at all of it,
01:04:01I see a universe of potential for you.
01:04:05It's going to be fun to watch.
01:04:08I can vote with a very proud yes.
01:04:12Yes.
01:04:13Oh, my God.
01:04:15It's a yes for me.
01:04:17Yes!
01:04:20Oh, my God.
01:04:22I can put this on my wall.
01:04:28There it is.
01:04:29I see it.
01:04:31I don't even know.
01:04:34That's what she does.
01:04:36She's special.
01:04:37She is special.
01:04:39She's got that confidence.
01:04:41I'm going to Hollywood.
01:04:42I'm going to Hollywood.
01:04:44You are never, never alone.
01:04:49The thing I love about American Idol
01:04:52is its ability to take everyday people
01:04:55and give them the chance to really chase their dreams.
01:04:59You guys are real.
01:05:00Real.
01:05:01I've dreamt this since I was a kid.
01:05:04I knew I was performer ever since long ago.
01:05:07Oh, my goodness.
01:05:08Where's your mother?
01:05:10I'm only 14, but you know.
01:05:12How's it going?
01:05:13We know you're from the country.
01:05:15Oh, I am.
01:05:15I am.
01:05:17I feel like I'm listening to the same person talk right now.
01:05:20It's what you do, ain't it?
01:05:21Oh, my God.
01:05:22It's what you do, ain't it?
01:05:24Let me see this.
01:05:25What's his name?
01:05:26Jackson.
01:05:28Right.
01:05:30I'm also an ideal super fan.
01:05:32Who's your favorite idol other than Karen?
01:05:35Adam Lambert.
01:05:36Oh, yeah.
01:05:37My dad actually had to explain to me
01:05:39that I wasn't going to marry him
01:05:40because Adam Lambert likes boys.
01:05:42So, uh, then I became an ally.
01:05:46Well, what are you going to sing for us today?
01:05:49I'm singing In the Stars by Benson Boone.
01:05:50He was amazing on the show, and now he's, like, so big.
01:05:54I mean, hoping that could be me.
01:05:57Mm-hmm.
01:05:57Now you're in the stars
01:05:59And six feet's never felt so far
01:06:03And here I am alone
01:06:05Between the heavens and the universe
01:06:11No place for hiding, baby
01:06:14No place to run
01:06:17You pull the trigger, I fly
01:06:23Love God
01:06:27Love God
01:06:29Love God
01:06:30So don't get hateful, Lord, hot damn
01:06:35There's a fire burning in the back 40
01:06:39I'm still finding out who the heck I
01:06:42And I'm so tired of wasting it away
01:06:48I'm gonna find the time to realize
01:06:50I'm in deep on a better day
01:06:53All right, Jackson.
01:06:55The moment of truth.
01:06:56The part I see on TV.
01:06:58Here's the deal.
01:07:00I'm nervous.
01:07:01You're gonna be great one day.
01:07:04Mm-hmm.
01:07:05But it's just a...
01:07:06It's just a little bit away.
01:07:09What?!
01:07:10I said I needed more time.
01:07:12I must tell you this is the part I don't like
01:07:14You are definitely a performer
01:07:17But I don't think it's ready yet
01:07:19It's gonna be a no for me this trip
01:07:21Let's really thank you, God
01:07:22But it's okay
01:07:25I'll be okay
01:07:27Oh, why'd you get me so high
01:07:29To leave me so long
01:07:31It's not no as the end
01:07:33So our job is to kind of nudge them up
01:07:35To inspire them to come back and see us
01:07:37You have all the potential
01:07:41In the world
01:07:42In the stars
01:07:43I-I will think about you
01:07:45Probably for the rest of my life
01:07:46It is just a
01:07:48Not at 14
01:07:50I'm a no for right now
01:07:51I'm gonna be a no for right now
01:07:53But just don't take it as a no
01:07:55Just as a deposit on your future, okay?
01:07:57Oh, why'd you make me feel safe
01:08:00Okay, baby
01:08:02Okay
01:08:02Okay
01:08:05It was just like kind of hard to hear
01:08:08But don't let any nose get in your way
01:08:10You can always come back
01:08:11And redeem yourself
01:08:13Until next time
01:08:14You did good, Peanut
01:08:16I think if she's that good
01:08:18She'll be back
01:08:25How's it feel to be back?
01:08:26I feel good
01:08:27Hello
01:08:29How are you guys?
01:08:31We know you
01:08:32Nice to meet you
01:08:33Nice to meet you
01:08:34I'm Mary Jo Young
01:08:35I'm 24 years old
01:08:37And I was on season 19 of American Idol
01:08:39I'm excited to be back
01:08:41Yeah, I'm excited
01:08:42The first time I auditioned for American Idol
01:08:45That was my first time singing in front of anyone
01:08:46Including my mom
01:08:48And I was so scared
01:08:50Welcome back
01:08:50Thank you, how are you?
01:08:52I'm great
01:08:52I will never forget your performance with Benson Boone
01:08:55Yeah, and me forgetting all the lyrics standing right next to us
01:09:10When it came to an end
01:09:12It was a good kick the baby bird out of its nest
01:09:15Because I needed to go and grow
01:09:17What you say of me?
01:09:21Oh no
01:09:23I remember loving your voice
01:09:25Thank you
01:09:25So you made it to top
01:09:2624
01:09:2724
01:09:27I feel like a new person
01:09:30I've been touring
01:09:31I've opened for Alex Warren
01:09:33Jake
01:09:34Jesse Murph
01:09:35I think my confidence has definitely grown too
01:09:39Yes, you're gonna get knocked down
01:09:41You might get knocked out
01:09:42Don't take it personal
01:09:43Yeah
01:09:43And just come back in the ring
01:09:45That's what it's all about
01:09:46I wanted to come back to American Idol
01:09:48Because I learned the most from being on the show
01:09:50Than I have on any tour
01:10:00You know you broke my heart in two
01:10:03You know exactly what you did to me
01:10:08I've had it up to here with you
01:10:13Oh I don't wanna be at your pity party
01:10:17Cause you've been running around running your mouth just like a track star
01:10:22Telling all of your friends that it's been so hard
01:10:26When you're the one who said you were done
01:10:29Said you fell out of love
01:10:31Boy, you must think that I'm dumb, dumb
01:10:35You can call me a psycho
01:10:38You can call me a liar
01:10:39You can call me an arsonist
01:10:42I should set you on fire
01:10:44You can call me a mess
01:10:46And say what you like
01:10:48You can call me whatever you want
01:10:50Don't call me a knife
01:10:52Don't call me with a sad boy
01:10:55Yes
01:10:56Don't wanna hear the same soft story
01:11:00Same soft story
01:11:01Yeah, you can call me a psycho
01:11:04You can call me a liar
01:11:06You can call me an arsonist
01:11:09I should set you on fire
01:11:10You can call me a mess
01:11:13And say what you like
01:11:15You can call me whatever you want
01:11:17Don't call me tonight
01:11:19No, don't call me tonight
01:11:22Don't call me, don't call me, don't call me
01:11:26Don't call me, don't call me, don't call me
01:11:30Don't call me, don't call me
01:11:34Don't call me tonight
01:11:36All right.
01:11:40Carrie, that's your first go-round with Miss Mary Jo.
01:11:43I liked it a lot. I like the song a lot.
01:11:47Ooh.
01:11:47And your voice, it's got a different kind of tone to it,
01:11:51but it's got some power under it when you start going for the higher stuff
01:11:55Thank you
01:11:56A lot of personality in you and your voice as well
01:12:00I tell people who are trying to get in the business, you know, it ain't about singing, it's about surviving
01:12:05Oh, I like that
01:12:06And if you can get through that, that's the key, I think you're doing quite well at surviving here. Sounds
01:12:11great
01:12:11Thank you
01:12:12Thank you
01:12:13Life's been getting you a little bit, but that's gonna happen in the music business
01:12:17But, you know, there is a different air of confidence to you that's totally new
01:12:21And we're glad you came back around, and I'm glad to see your face again, because I was a real
01:12:26big fan of yours
01:12:27Thank you
01:12:28Thank you
01:12:28Oh, I'm happy to see your guys' face
01:12:30Well, let's vote, Lana, what you think about Mary Jo 2.0?
01:12:35I'll put it like this, it's yes again for another time around
01:12:39For me, this is my first yes to you
01:12:42Yes
01:12:42Oh my gosh
01:12:44Another yes for me
01:12:46Thank you guys
01:12:47Alright
01:12:48You're going through the Hollywood week
01:12:49Congratulations
01:12:50Hollywood week that way
01:12:51I got something
01:12:56I'm going into Hollywood week way differently, I'm much more prepared
01:13:01This one ticket shows me that it's always good to get back up and try again
01:13:06And I'm really proud of myself for it
01:13:13Well, I don't know about you guys, but I think we're heading down the right road of a great season
01:13:19I think we're on to something
01:13:22Music sends you down different paths, and you gotta take the road it takes you down
01:13:27I don't know what we've just tapped into, but 2026 feels good to me
01:13:33I think we cover a lot of ground stylistically
01:13:37Yeah
01:13:37There's a lot of different voices
01:13:39We got one more to go, but I'm so happy for our blessings
01:13:45Impressive
01:13:46Time for the audition you've been waiting for
01:13:48Let's do it
01:13:49Let's go
01:13:49Okay, buddy
01:13:50Appreciate you
01:13:52Closing us out, Luke
01:13:53Alright, Luke
01:13:54Closing it out
01:13:54Bring it home
01:13:55Dang, this is so sick
01:13:57I love this
01:13:58Hello
01:13:59This is crazy
01:14:00So you're the last
01:14:01You're the last audition
01:14:03That's crazy
01:14:04That's crazy
01:14:04That's crazy
01:14:05You guys look majestic
01:14:07Majestic?
01:14:08Yeah
01:14:08Well, thanks, your hair is majestic
01:14:10Thank you
01:14:11It's a lot going on, but
01:14:12I don't know if we've seen better hair, right?
01:14:14No, no, no, no
01:14:15It's pretty awesome
01:14:15Alright, tell us who you are and where you're from
01:14:18Yeah, my name is Chris Tungseth, I'm 27 years old and I'm from Fergus Falls, Minnesota
01:14:22And what do you do up in Minnesota for work?
01:14:25Right now I've been roofing houses, quick as work in a small town is usually construction
01:14:29So...
01:14:29Tell me a little bit about, you know, why he's here and what this audition means to Chris
01:14:33Yeah, I mean, music's always been a part of our family
01:14:37We've grew up watching American Idol and he's really turned to music, kind of as his way of getting his
01:14:44feelings off his chest
01:14:46Tell us about growing up, your home life
01:14:49Yeah
01:14:50I just feel so fortunate, like I'm so blessed, I've been given the greatest family in the world
01:14:58Um...
01:14:59Hmm... yeah
01:15:00You can look in a rose
01:15:04Just any rose
01:15:08Except that it's perfect
01:15:10Growing up in Minnesota is the best
01:15:12Like my childhood, it was so fun and so simple
01:15:15My dad, he studied opera and he was an opera singer and then became a pastor and a worship leader
01:15:20And my mom was a pianist
01:15:22My siblings, we'd sing every holiday at church
01:15:27Everything that we did was...
01:15:30Like together
01:15:31Called out there, man
01:15:34But it started to take a turn when I was 10 years old
01:15:37My mom was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis
01:15:41Hi
01:15:41It was pretty aggressive
01:15:42How are you?
01:15:44I'm good now
01:15:45Right away, my mom was in and out of the hospital
01:15:49She was four hours away
01:15:51My dad would be traveling back and forth trying to take care of her family
01:15:54He was gravity to us
01:15:56He's the strongest person I've ever met
01:15:59He was my best friend
01:16:00He was my...
01:16:02Kind of my foundation
01:16:03The person I turned to for advice
01:16:06Twelve years after my mom's diagnosis
01:16:08My dad was diagnosed with leukemia
01:16:15Yeah, that was the worst...
01:16:18Thing I've ever heard in my life
01:16:21Like Superman...
01:16:22Is no longer Superman, you know
01:16:26My siblings moved home
01:16:27To help me take care of them
01:16:29I mean, all of us put life on hold
01:16:31But there was nothing else that we would have done
01:16:33Like that was honestly the biggest gift
01:16:35For us to be close to them
01:16:41So, I'm gonna be singing
01:16:43Lonely Road
01:16:44That I wrote for Dad
01:16:45Love that
01:16:46I mean, everyone says how much you look like Dad
01:16:49And how much you resemble Dad
01:16:51Yeah
01:16:51Now, especially with him being gone
01:16:54His legacy is now living through you
01:16:57Through your singing
01:17:02Pops
01:17:04I wish you were part of this
01:17:06I wish you were here to
01:17:10See this thing go through
01:17:11But I'm just gonna be
01:17:13Me and
01:17:16I hope they see you through me
01:17:25I hit the lonely road again
01:17:31I know I missed my turn
01:17:38I'm not the only one that's traveling
01:17:42But I know that I'm far from home
01:17:50I guess I had to learn the hard way
01:17:56I know that you did too
01:18:01How come no one has directions
01:18:06When we've all been down that same road too
01:18:13I still have a million questions
01:18:17I still have a million questions
01:18:19Only you got answers too
01:18:25I don't really think that I will care for them
01:18:30When I'm up in heaven with you
01:18:34Press on
01:18:38Press on
01:18:39Press on
01:18:43We're gonna make it through
01:18:47Hold on
01:18:55I'm holding on to you
01:19:20I love everything about you
01:19:23I love your presence
01:19:25I love how open you are
01:19:28And the way you talk
01:19:30And the way you sing
01:19:32Communicate
01:19:33You have an incredible voice
01:19:34It's powerful
01:19:36And it's beautiful
01:19:37It's masculine
01:19:39And it's soft
01:19:40At the same time
01:19:41Like this
01:19:42You kind of have all the things
01:19:45Just very impressive
01:19:46The gift that you have to work with
01:19:48And the way that you work with it
01:19:50Thank you
01:19:51Part of your singing
01:19:52Is gonna be the things you say
01:19:55In between each song
01:19:56Yeah. You have a ministry, a real strong connection to people. Thank you. I was so
01:20:03touched by the fact that you said, I'm blessed. I'm grateful. There was a point in my life where
01:20:08I thought my dad's dying and my life's falling apart. There was a little aid over in the corner
01:20:15of the hospital. And I was talking to my dad. He was in and out of a coma. He said,
01:20:20you're very
01:20:21lucky. And I looked at him and said, what are you talking about? I said, he's in a coma.
01:20:27And he said, I was just thinking, I wish I had a dad to love as much as you have.
01:20:31Yeah. It's a gift to hurt so much, you know, because it means that something was important
01:20:36there. So your ministry is right in place, man. Thank you. The timing of all this is the timing
01:20:43of it. Right. Exactly. We're not in control of it. I had setbacks in my life that put my
01:20:48music career on hold and I matured and grew up during those years. Yeah. It's really perfect
01:20:55to me, what you're doing. I've been in the room with Chris Stapleton a lot of times. You've got
01:21:00those little vibes going on. You've got that ability to whisper with soul and turn it up. You
01:21:06just got a lot of stuff going on and don't be afraid to turn them loose. Yes, sir. Because we're
01:21:11going to be there every step of the way encouraging you. Thank you, Luke. Lionel, what is your vote?
01:21:19Yes. Appreciate you. Absolutely. Yes. Thank you. Thank you. I think you're going to go
01:21:24really high in this competition. It's a yes. All the way from Minnesota. Come on. It's so good. Thank you.
01:21:40It was amazing. I love you guys. So proud of you for us to be able to get to do
01:21:46this with you. It's
01:21:46a memory I'll cherish forever. Thank you. Great job. Thank you so much. Thanks for being here with
01:21:53us. Thanks for trusting us. Of course. You smell good, too. I know my dad would be so happy and
01:21:59I
01:21:59know he'd be the first person cheering me on as soon as I walked out that door. Well, there you
01:22:05go.
01:22:06Congratulations, buddy. Congratulations, Chris. You said your dad's laughing looking down at this?
01:22:13Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. 100%. Yeah. It's very special. Yeah. Yeah. There's a sign he's with you right
01:22:19there. Yeah. Yeah. Congratulations. He's a teddy bear. He is for this. He's holding back. He is
01:22:26holding back. Yes, he is. He's got some Stapleton stuff in there. But not the gruffy stuff. Right. It's
01:22:31like his own brand of soul. Hey. Hey, mama. Guess what? What? I'm going to Hollywood
01:22:45week. I got a golden ticket. Oh, Christopher Paul. You are amazing. I love you, mama. I love
01:23:03you. Oh, I'm so proud of you. Thank you, mama. I did this for you and I did this for
01:23:08pops.
01:23:09Oh, come on. And you are awesome. And I love you so much. I love you so much, mama.
01:23:19New country. Buckle up, y'all. Because next Monday, Hollywood week begins. It's showtime.
01:23:34They'll have one song, one shot to leave it all on the stage. It's not for the faint of heart.
01:23:41You
01:23:41either have it or you don't. It makes my belly hurt. I feel like I'm going to throw up and
01:23:46it's sink or
01:23:47swim. Epic performances. You have this go attack mentality. You are a stop. The way you just sung to
01:23:57the whole audience really warmed my heart. Thank you so much. It's for you, baby. I love you. With
01:24:03the biggest cut in idol history. I'm not sure that was the right song. Bring it on. I love it.
01:24:10Your
01:24:10booze are feeding me. I have no idea what just happened out there. Look at them. Sorry. Only 30
01:24:19will survive. So hard having to cut this many, y'all. Oh, Lord have mercy. I just wanted to come
01:24:26and sit
01:24:26and listen to people. But you're the butcher now. I really hope I did enough to make it. Oh, sorry.
01:24:33And this year, Hollywood week looks a little different. Because the biggest week of their
01:24:39lives is happening in the biggest music town in the world. Music city, you ready to rock?
01:24:47This is Hollywood week, music city takeover.
01:24:53I can't answer it. I'm sorry.
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