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American Idol - Season 24 - Episode 01: Auditions (1)
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00:00:12American Idol, it's sacred, a place where greatness is born, and the finest voices in
00:00:19the nation echo in our history books.
00:00:22And the Grammy goes to Kelly Clarkson, Jeff!
00:00:25From Fantasia, to Carrie Underwood, Gabby Barrett, and Adam Lambert, these names define what
00:00:33it means to be an idol.
00:00:35The winner, Jamal Roberts, and I just feel like I'm in the presence of greatness.
00:00:42On the first note, I had chills.
00:00:45And now it's time to meet our incredible new class.
00:00:56This is American Idol.
00:01:00Come on, class of 2026.
00:01:08First day of school.
00:01:12Who is ready to be an American Idol?
00:01:24What better place to have the auditions than the legendary Belmont University?
00:01:29This is awesome.
00:01:31First day, guys.
00:01:32New season.
00:01:37Oh!
00:01:38It feels good.
00:01:39That hurts.
00:01:40Squat in some heels when they come talk to me.
00:01:42I love that duet.
00:01:44First thing in the world.
00:01:45First thing in the world.
00:01:45Idol University.
00:01:47Class is in session.
00:01:49Class is in session.
00:01:49Class is in session.
00:01:52Ah!
00:01:53Hey, guys.
00:01:54What's up?
00:01:54Hey.
00:01:55How are you?
00:01:56Gosh, this is crazy.
00:01:56I'm good.
00:01:57How are you all?
00:01:57Oh, my gosh.
00:01:58You look like my child.
00:02:00Here, look at this.
00:02:01Hold on.
00:02:01So, I took this picture of Bo the other day.
00:02:03I literally, like...
00:02:06Wow.
00:02:08Could that be...
00:02:09They could be brothers.
00:02:13All right.
00:02:13Well, who are you?
00:02:14I'm Lucas Leon.
00:02:15I'm 17 years old.
00:02:16I'm from Gallatin, Tennessee.
00:02:17Lucas Leon.
00:02:19I love that name.
00:02:20That sounds like a star name.
00:02:21Yeah.
00:02:21Is that the real name?
00:02:22Yes, sir.
00:02:22But is it Leon or is it Leon?
00:02:25It's just Leon.
00:02:25I love it.
00:02:26The country version.
00:02:27What do you do up there in Gallatin?
00:02:29Play a lot of music, write a lot of songs, do some fishing.
00:02:32What are they biting on out there these days?
00:02:34Baby Brush Hog, Texas Rig.
00:02:36Now he sounds like my son.
00:02:38He fishes all day, every day.
00:02:40All right.
00:02:41Well, what are you going to sing today?
00:02:43I'm going to sing an original called Fall In Love Someday.
00:02:45All right.
00:02:46We pray you do.
00:02:48Oh, he will.
00:03:01All the wonder are not lost of ways down the road.
00:03:09Oh, I just wonder what's the cost if you'd ever known.
00:03:14Cause I'm a young gun in North Forerunner, rolling down the coast.
00:03:22I'm coming down Route 66, city with her ghost.
00:03:28So run me to Arizona, Texas, Mexico.
00:03:36Set me by a desert fire.
00:03:40Let it be my home.
00:03:42And I ain't one for love.
00:03:46And I ain't one for love.
00:03:48And I ain't quick to pray.
00:03:50Yeah, but I swear to God, I fell in love today.
00:03:58Oh, I swear to God, I fell in love today.
00:04:12All right.
00:04:14All right.
00:04:15We're all standing.
00:04:16Thank you very much.
00:04:18Thanks.
00:04:19Oh, yeah.
00:04:19I'm loving it.
00:04:20Bring on out the bat, son.
00:04:23It's like your baby face and you're adorable, but there's like this odd, awesome maturity.
00:04:28I feel like you could go pretty far in this competition.
00:04:34Pure, honest, and very talented.
00:04:38Yeah, I was just checking on notable people from Gallatin, Tennessee.
00:04:42Tell us, is he on that list?
00:04:43Well, Zach Duke, he's a former MLB pitcher.
00:04:46He's actually a buddy of mine.
00:04:47Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:04:48There's John Rogan, the second tallest verified human being ever documented.
00:04:55He was eight feet, nine inches tall.
00:04:58I did know that.
00:04:59Not really seeing any notable singers.
00:05:02Maybe old Lucas Leon.
00:05:04Maybe.
00:05:05He's got a spot here on the Wikipedia.
00:05:07I'm just having fun with you.
00:05:09Really great stuff you're doing at the age of 17.
00:05:12Tell me about it.
00:05:12And you have it all.
00:05:14So thank you for bringing your butt down here to us.
00:05:18Yes.
00:05:18Oh, it's my pleasure.
00:05:19Lionel.
00:05:22Yes.
00:05:24Let me think about it.
00:05:25Oh, come on.
00:05:27And yeah, it's a big old yes for me.
00:05:30Oh, wow.
00:05:31Thank you so much.
00:05:32Hollywood week.
00:05:33This is why we're here.
00:05:35Thank you so much.
00:05:36You got me.
00:05:37Yeah, man.
00:05:37I love it.
00:05:39I love it.
00:05:40Take care.
00:05:44All right.
00:05:45That's it.
00:05:45Things are looking up.
00:05:47I'm really excited.
00:05:48Definitely hoping I can join on the Wikipedia page for Galveston Tennessee.
00:05:52That would be great.
00:05:54Idle gold.
00:05:55We're just getting started.
00:05:57Star, star, star, star, star, star right here.
00:06:00Did you have this much confidence when you were?
00:06:02I remember always being confident, but then like my first time I did the Opry and stuff,
00:06:06I mean, I was about to black out.
00:06:08Oh, no.
00:06:09Did it hit you that hard?
00:06:10Absolutely the same thing.
00:06:16All the way.
00:06:17All the way.
00:06:17Good job.
00:06:18There you go.
00:06:19Good job.
00:06:20Good job.
00:06:21Good job.
00:06:22Good job.
00:06:22Good job.
00:06:23Music wasn't a natural passion for me.
00:06:25I knew I could sing.
00:06:27Everybody around me believed in me but me.
00:06:30I wanted to play basketball.
00:06:32How does it feel when it's quiet and calm?
00:06:37My name is Keilah Richardson.
00:06:38I'm from Pensacola, Florida, and I'm 29 years old.
00:06:42Love y'all.
00:06:44Y'all be good, okay?
00:06:45I've been a music teacher for about six years.
00:06:47Good morning.
00:06:48Good morning.
00:06:49Give me something.
00:06:49Give me something.
00:06:49Do the thing.
00:06:50Life Shifting Learning Academy.
00:06:52It's time for music.
00:06:54When those kids step into the class, I see myself a lot of times.
00:06:58Good morning.
00:07:00Good morning.
00:07:02I grew up in the church.
00:07:03Grew up singing.
00:07:06Good job.
00:07:07Cloud.
00:07:08Y'all found yourself good on the ground.
00:07:10But I just felt like I wasn't good enough.
00:07:12Nobody saw me.
00:07:13Nobody heard me.
00:07:14I had to make up in my mind like, you can do this.
00:07:16Whatever you put your mind to do, you can do it.
00:07:22My son means the world to me.
00:07:23He's all I got.
00:07:24He's my best friend.
00:07:25I want you to have a good day today.
00:07:26I love you.
00:07:27Make me proud.
00:07:28Go in there.
00:07:30Crush him.
00:07:31It's just been me and her for most of my life.
00:07:35She's the best mom in the world.
00:07:37She deserves everything.
00:07:43Because of him, I'm here and I will never give up.
00:07:45I'm raising a young man.
00:07:46I'm a single mother by myself.
00:07:48You're the reason I'm here today and why mommy's going to keep going.
00:07:51Okay.
00:07:57Hey guys.
00:07:58How you doing?
00:07:59I'm good.
00:08:00I love it.
00:08:01How are you?
00:08:02Great pants.
00:08:02My name is Keela Richardson.
00:08:04Keela Richardson.
00:08:05And where are you from?
00:08:05I'm from Pensacola, Florida.
00:08:07What made you want to be here at American Idol?
00:08:09I'm 29.
00:08:10I had a long musical journey, but I never give up.
00:08:13So I just want to keep going and give it one more try.
00:08:15Well, good deal.
00:08:16Well, what are you going to sing today?
00:08:18Glitter in the Air by Pink.
00:08:19Love it.
00:08:20Yeah.
00:08:20That's great.
00:08:29You have a voice that will make people stop in their tracks.
00:08:35Drop the mic.
00:08:36Drop the mic.
00:08:39Well, what are you going to sing today?
00:08:41Glitter in the Air by Pink.
00:08:43Love it.
00:08:43Yeah.
00:08:44That's great.
00:08:44Have you ever fed a lover
00:08:47with just your hands?
00:08:52Oh.
00:08:54Close your eyes and trust it.
00:08:58Just trust it.
00:09:03And have you ever thrown a fistful of glitter in the air?
00:09:11Oh.
00:09:13Oh.
00:09:14Oh.
00:09:14Oh.
00:09:14Oh.
00:09:15Oh.
00:09:20Oh.
00:09:22Oh.
00:09:24Oh.
00:09:26Oh.
00:09:28Oh.
00:09:29Watching my coffee, calling me sugar.
00:09:36You call me sugar.
00:09:49Calling me sugar.
00:09:55Interesting.
00:09:59Dang.
00:10:01If there's one thing I could tell you,
00:10:05it's that sometimes just let it breathe a little bit.
00:10:08You know?
00:10:09Got you.
00:10:09One, two, three.
00:10:11I can imagine you on some songs where you would just blow the roof off of this place because of
00:10:16the range.
00:10:17Yes, sir.
00:10:18Now is how much you don't give us what Carrie said is correct.
00:10:22Yes, sir.
00:10:22What's the lyrics to the first line in that chorus?
00:10:25Will you roll her into that?
00:10:27And let me hear you sing that one more time and I'm going to give you one little thing.
00:10:31Let's see if she does that lick again.
00:10:36Close your eyes and trust in, just trust in.
00:10:43That's so pretty.
00:10:45That's great.
00:10:45Have you ever thrown a fistful of glitter in the air?
00:10:53Stop that.
00:10:54Do it again.
00:10:55Right.
00:10:56Have you ever thrown a fistful of glitter in the air?
00:11:03Woo!
00:11:04Keep going.
00:11:06It's only half past the point of no return.
00:11:10The tip of the iceberg, the fire before the burn.
00:11:15The thunder before the lightning and the breath before the phrase.
00:11:19Have you ever felt this way?
00:11:27Drop the mic.
00:11:29Drop the mic.
00:11:30Drop the mic.
00:11:31Who is this?
00:11:31This is my son and my dad.
00:11:33Oh, boy.
00:11:34Hi, Miss Carrie.
00:11:35Hi.
00:11:36How are you?
00:11:37Good.
00:11:38Good.
00:11:38Did you hear your mom?
00:11:39Did you hear how great she did?
00:11:41Wow.
00:11:42You know we love her.
00:11:44Man.
00:11:44Hi, Mr. Lionel.
00:11:45Oh, how are you?
00:11:47Good.
00:11:47So cool, man.
00:11:49Hi, Mr. Luke.
00:11:50Hey, buddy.
00:11:52Hi, Mr. Luke.
00:11:53You see what your mama made me do?
00:11:55Oh, man.
00:11:57When you felt confident, the way you just sang that with confidence, you have a voice that
00:12:02will make people stop in their tracks.
00:12:06Great stop.
00:12:06Woo!
00:12:07Gosh, I got like snot going on.
00:12:09I do, too.
00:12:10What's your name, buddy?
00:12:11Drew.
00:12:12That's Carrie right there, Drew.
00:12:14I know.
00:12:14I watch American Idol all the time.
00:12:17Woo!
00:12:18There's a commercial right there.
00:12:19I can't believe you're 29 and you hadn't been in our life yet.
00:12:23I know.
00:12:24That's wonderful.
00:12:26Yes.
00:12:27Lionel Richie?
00:12:28No, excuse me.
00:12:29It's Mr. Lionel.
00:12:30Mr. Lionel.
00:12:31It's a yes from me.
00:12:34Big old yes from me.
00:12:37Oh, yes.
00:12:38Congratulations.
00:12:40You're going through the Hollywood week.
00:12:42Come on.
00:12:43Come on.
00:12:43Come on.
00:12:43Come on.
00:12:45Oh, my God.
00:12:47Thank you so much, y'all.
00:12:49Do you sing, Drew?
00:12:51I have a song that I know how to sing.
00:12:53What?
00:12:54Let's do it.
00:12:55What song is it?
00:12:56Back on the Oval.
00:12:57Back on the Oval.
00:12:58Come on.
00:12:58Oh, God.
00:12:59Oh, God.
00:13:00My man seems like he's ready to go.
00:13:02What's the song, Drew?
00:13:03It's called God Only Knows.
00:13:05God Only Knows.
00:13:06God Only Knows.
00:13:08God only knows what you've been through.
00:13:11God only knows what they say about you.
00:13:14God only knows the real you.
00:13:17And that's the kind of love that God only knows.
00:13:23That was great.
00:13:25What was that move?
00:13:26What was that move, Drew?
00:13:29Just picking those notes out.
00:13:31I can't believe myself.
00:13:32I think I'm in a dream.
00:13:35He is.
00:13:36My pride and joy right here.
00:13:38This is who I do it for.
00:13:39I'm gonna do it for him.
00:13:40I'm so proud.
00:13:41Thank you, Drew.
00:13:42I'm proud of you, too.
00:13:43You're going to Hollywood, too, bud.
00:13:44Yeah.
00:13:45And I sung, too.
00:13:47That may have been one of my favorite moments
00:13:50I've ever had on this show.
00:13:51That was great.
00:13:53God only knows what you've been through.
00:13:56God only knows what they say about you.
00:13:59God only knows the real you.
00:14:02But that's the kind of love that God only knows.
00:14:06God only knows what you've been through.
00:14:08Alright.
00:14:09I would have popped up with that one.
00:14:12But I've been to Kato Nejóh
00:14:15I've been married a long time ago.
00:14:16Where did you come from?
00:14:17Where did you go?
00:14:18Where did you come from Kato Nejóh?
00:14:22I've been married a long time ago.
00:14:23Where did you come from...
00:14:25Where did you...
00:14:25What's happening?
00:14:49my name is jason art i'm 24 years old i'm from puquay green north carolina
00:14:54i'm here today with the texas tailgaters which is in the banana ball championship league
00:14:59might be familiar with the savannah bananas we play with them it's entertainment baseball
00:15:05they'll compare us to the harlem globetrotters a lot but it's very competitive too
00:15:11we're all best friends and we all get along and it's great
00:15:19i got into it actually as a singer outside of the actual game we'll put on concerts the whole
00:15:25point is just keep the fans engaged the whole time and make sure they have fun come on now
00:15:33i got it pretty quick though awesome awesome how did i do oh you ought to see me pitch
00:15:41i think we can make that happen oh yeah i'm all good heck i slept on my arm wrong last
00:15:46night
00:15:46and fell asleep for three hours so uh all right well who are you my name is jason r i'm
00:15:5224 years
00:15:52old and i'm from fuquay green in north carolina what are you going to sing for us i'm going to
00:15:56sing fire away by chris stapleton love it all right you better be able to sing yes sir right
00:16:03oh yeah well honey load up your questions and pick up your sticks and your stones
00:16:16and pretend i'm a shelter for heartaches that don't have a home
00:16:26choose the words that cut like a razor
00:16:34and all that i'll say is fire
00:16:43away oh no
00:16:45come on come on come on and take your best shot show me what you got honey i'm not afraid
00:16:57rear back and take it
00:17:03and fire away
00:17:22i want a team all right carrie you already got the gear on especially a tailgater
00:17:31yeah that's right
00:17:35i think you should go first okay all right okay i'm gonna pass the ball sorry she's uh i think
00:17:40the abs
00:17:41it's very distracting
00:17:46if it's that easy to distract you no no no no no no no no no no no don't don't
00:17:55don't do that don't
00:17:56don't all right all right all right all right so now listen
00:18:00you've got a nice voice yes sir you've got a distinguishable voice and we don't have anything
00:18:05like that yet thank you sir okay i think i've i've i got my thoughts together very good i think
00:18:12my
00:18:12thing is if you do end up going forward it's just the taking this part of you seriously you know
00:18:21what
00:18:21i mean like you guys are obviously so much fun i love it and i want to feel you emote
00:18:25i want i want
00:18:27to hear more yes ma'am good i used to try to sing everything as loud as i could it
00:18:32took me years to
00:18:32kind of go you know i don't have to sing loud every time i can kind of calm it down
00:18:36so just think
00:18:37about that all right lonel yes come on that's easy yes what are we what are we what are we
00:18:48the pressure oh look at it oh no no no karen karen look over this way i got my own
00:18:55set of abs to
00:18:55stare at it not mine my husband um i want to know who you are as an artist so i'll
00:19:03say yes
00:19:03yeah
00:19:07yes
00:19:11you thought we were done okay
00:19:37it was pretty crazy
00:19:41i'm not going to lie you should be living his best life right now
00:19:48i didn't expect luke bryan to bust a move like that but i guess you see something new every day
00:19:52that was good that was good that was fun i'm going to hollywood week
00:20:04the next class is going to teach us all what the future is going to be about and i'm so
00:20:08excited
00:20:08just to be on the front row of this one just a small town girl
00:20:13looking at the world
00:20:15i didn't know you know what you said
00:20:21she took the midnight train I ain't going anywhere
00:20:27Pocket that thing. Pocket that thing, man.
00:20:30Where are you from, Daniel?
00:20:31Moss Point, Mississippi.
00:20:32What happens back in Moss Point, Mississippi?
00:20:35For me, I'm a school teacher.
00:20:36What do you teach?
00:20:37I teach music.
00:20:38Okay, well then you're in the right place.
00:20:39Yes, sir.
00:20:40I absolutely love working with kids.
00:20:42They are my joy.
00:20:43And I'm doing this for my students,
00:20:45to let them know that you can reach your goals,
00:20:47never give up, don't stop believing.
00:20:50That's my motto, don't stop believing.
00:20:52Don't stop believing.
00:20:58Hold on to that feeling.
00:21:02Oh, streetlight people.
00:21:13Don't stop believing.
00:21:19Love, love, love, love.
00:21:22Love.
00:21:25Your students are going to hail you
00:21:28as the greatest thing that ever showed up in their lives.
00:21:30Wow.
00:21:31My cheeks hurt because I'm smiling so much.
00:21:34I'm just thinking about how lucky are the kids to have you.
00:21:37All right, exactly.
00:21:38All right.
00:21:39Oh, let's vote.
00:21:40Carrie?
00:21:40Yes.
00:21:41Luke?
00:21:43Yes.
00:21:44And I'll go down low, yes.
00:21:48Welcome to American Idol.
00:21:49Thank you so much.
00:21:51Come on, buddy.
00:21:52Hold on to that feeling.
00:21:54Oh, that's the reason for Hollywood week.
00:21:57That's the reason for Hollywood week.
00:21:57Yeah.
00:22:00Hey!
00:22:06Oh.
00:22:07Oh, oh.
00:22:07Oh, oh.
00:22:08Oh, oh.
00:22:08Oh, oh, oh.
00:22:11Oh, oh.
00:22:12Oh, oh.
00:22:13Oh, oh.
00:22:13Oh, oh.
00:22:15Oh, oh.
00:22:17Oh.
00:22:18Oh, oh.
00:22:19your thunder baby blue that's a weird no whatever I suck I just feel like the piano playing like
00:22:30wasn't quite there for me I feel like it was distracting you a little bit it was distracting
00:22:37it was taking away from your vocals that's not my audition song Carrie wow look at this praise
00:22:46the Lord this is awesome my name is Tate Emmons I'm 15 years old and I'm from a real small
00:22:50town
00:22:51called Lake Mississippi we knew from a young age that Tate was extremely talented and what
00:22:59he could do so I could sing before I could talk I was three years old at my church singing
00:23:09Jesus
00:23:09loves me I've been singing ever since well last week I met with my vocal coach who
00:23:15happens to be the uncle of Brianna Nix the final person competing in the finale Brianna
00:23:21Nix I can't wait for you to get that golden ticket you're gonna kill it Lord will sing
00:23:28loud it's gonna be great oh my goodness
00:23:34this is Emerson you're gonna stay with Carrie
00:23:38can I pick you up oh that's right you're not shy are you no did he grow up that best
00:23:44Emerson no no what have I been for the past 10 years I grew up quick 15 years you got
00:23:51some
00:23:52explaining to do my name is Tate Emmons I'm 15 years old I'm from a small town called Lake
00:23:56Mississippi Mississippi that's right about a week ago I'm doing the Grand Ole Opry again and he was
00:24:02there and he's like I want you to hear me sing and I was just blown away I texted immediately
00:24:08hey is
00:24:08it too late for an audition and 20 minutes later I'm sure you you had some people pick up yeah
00:24:13got a
00:24:14little cloud I love that right he's one of a kind and I really believe in him wow
00:24:18Brianna why don't you come over here with us okay yeah yeah here we go come on I miss you
00:24:23guys
00:24:24come on baby how are you good to see ya hands are a little cold fancy chairs are you nervous
00:24:29a
00:24:30little bit you seem cool as a cucumber well thank you we ready let's go come on Tate I'm
00:24:41going to be singing hard-fought hallelujah by Brandon Lake let's go all right
00:24:54well I don't always feel it yeah but that's when I need it the most so I'ma keep on singing
00:25:08till my soul catches up with my song there's days that my hands go up
00:25:17freely times that it comes there's days that a praise comes out easy days that it takes all the strength
00:25:31I've got
00:25:32but I'll bring my heart-fought heartfelt been through it hallelujah
00:25:43and I'll bring my storm-tossed torn sail story to tell hallelujah
00:25:58all right all right first of all I'm really surprised at your guitar maneuverability at your age
00:26:09thank you and can I do an exercise with you just let me hear you sing heartfelt hallelujah like
00:26:15I mean I want to hear you give it all on the course you know you don't have to play
00:26:20you got
00:26:21to play it just just close your eyes don't worry about the guitar and sing sing sing worship so I'll
00:26:26bring my heart-fought heartfelt it is well hallelujah I think guitar you're perfect but vocally it does
00:26:39really really feel even a little younger than 15 to me which is a predicament I understand exactly
00:26:50what you fell in love with because we just saw it we heard it it's when do we throw you
00:26:56out there our
00:26:58biggest thing is is all of our mama and daddy hearts are looking at you saying do we wreck this
00:27:06kid by
00:27:06feeding him to the entertainment industry I remember a year ago when I came in I was just like Tate
00:27:13freaking out I was so scared gotta give him a chance I promise I promise I trust you all right
00:27:26I'm ready to
00:27:27vote an environment like this could be really beneficial to you so this is school I'm gonna say yes
00:27:36thank you so much I'm gonna go the opposite
00:27:45gotta give him a chance I promise I promise I'm gonna say yes thank you so much I'm gonna go
00:27:52the
00:27:52opposite okay I don't want to take your phenomenon and blow you up I just will not let that happen
00:27:58to
00:27:58you come back and look at this again from another angle a couple of years of experience and I'd love
00:28:03to hear what you sound like thank you that's just me talking as dad now okay thank you it's all
00:28:08up to
00:28:09you no pressure no pressure at all I'm pretty nervous I kind of feel sick it's gonna be great it's
00:28:20gonna be good
00:28:24it's too soon okay I'm gonna know okay thank y'all so much I appreciate y'all listening I hope
00:28:31you can
00:28:32understand why I'm saying this I do understand yes sir I do I promise thank you brother I appreciate
00:28:40you so much and I love you thank you thank you for your input keep doing what you're doing exactly
00:28:46what you're doing keep just giving glory where glory is due it's a true honor to meet you thank you
00:28:51very
00:28:52much thank you all right Tate my son's name Tate really he's 15 oh my goodness hey it's amazing how
00:29:01you're playing that guitar thank you just you keep doing it sir thank y'all so much thank y'all
00:29:07it's
00:29:07humbling to think the judges thinks that about me I'm like gives me a lot of hope
00:29:17I will support him forever and he's a golden ticket here always still gonna push you to do
00:29:23this every single year well I'm always gonna listen to your opinion so I'll always pray about it
00:29:28but the yearly annual text message you go you go audition to be ready and get ready for it I'll
00:29:33be
00:29:33ready I'll be ready yes you're at peace with that right yeah you're right you're right you know I
00:29:41forgot how hard this was it is hard it never is easy just when they're looking at you and they
00:29:49they want it so bad what has happened over the years is we've gotten tougher only because we're
00:29:57expecting more now as judges after Jamal Grammy nominated Jamal we've raised the bar to the point
00:30:05where we're gonna be looking for that next level that instantly goes from American Idol
00:30:11stage to that Grammy award-winning artist
00:30:14wow they rehearsed that somewhere if we were to go out dancing let me show you what would happen
00:30:24Idol University class of 2026 I can tell you right now is off the chain that was great we're proud
00:30:33of
00:30:33your son thank you so much we're going to Hollywood we've had 10 people today that look like they've
00:30:41been trained to sing and you look like you were born to sing I see smiles and a ticket he's
00:30:47gonna be a
00:30:48great season and I'm so excited just to be on the front row of this one here we go hey
00:30:57guys
00:30:58how are you doing good how are you doing I'm good my name is Jesse Finling and I'm 19 years
00:31:04old what
00:31:05do you do I'm a college student right now but I've been singing ever since I was little with my
00:31:13brother
00:31:13and sister we would pull up karaoke tracks and we would we would just sing with each other and since
00:31:18then I did choirs in school you haven't noticed I have us I have a stutter and that's really where
00:31:26kind
00:31:27of my love for singing came I've had a stutter ever since I was little and it's something that
00:31:39I've that I've struggled with since elementary school it was something embarrassing for me you
00:31:48know something that I really had a hard time with I wouldn't raise my hand in school and it was
00:31:52just
00:31:52something that that made me feel alone and something that I felt like I had to hide so it
00:31:57was definitely hard singing has always felt freeing for me because when I sing I don't stutter when I
00:32:05sang it was a way for me to you express myself in a way where I didn't have to worry
00:32:08about being
00:32:09embarrassed or what people would think or somebody would laugh so it was an outlet for me when I was
00:32:14little and it's still an outlet for me now walking out with a golden ticket would mean that everything
00:32:28that I've I've I've struggled with in the past it's all led me here and I can do whatever I
00:32:35want if I
00:32:36work hard I've come a long way with it I'm like it's it doesn't hold me back there you go
00:32:42well you're
00:32:43doing great so you your siblings sing are you a musical family or you just all love music me and
00:32:49my brother sing with each other and he also has a stutter so it's really special when we sing together
00:32:54it's crazy to see how far he's come it's insane I want to you know be a role model for
00:33:00him because I
00:33:01knew how hard it was for me in school I love your attitude and you can tell that you are
00:33:07a good big
00:33:07brother but what you gonna sing for us I'm gonna be singing in the stars by Benson Boone it's a
00:33:12song
00:33:12me and my brother always singing together gonna be thinking of him when I sing it very good
00:33:21Sunday mornings were your favorite I used to meet you down on Woods Creek Road
00:33:34you did your hair up like you were famous even though it's only church where we were going
00:33:46now Sunday mornings I just sleeping it's like I've buried my faith with you
00:33:59I'm screaming at a God I don't know if I believe in because I don't know what else I can
00:34:11do
00:34:11oh I'm still holding on to everything that's dead and gone I don't want to say goodbye this one means
00:34:23forever and now you're in the stars and six feet's never fell so far here I am alone between the
00:34:35heavens and the
00:34:37embers oh it hurts so hard for a million different reasons
00:34:49you took the best of my heart
00:34:57and left the rest in pieces
00:35:08thank you Luke you jumped up awful quick I don't think I blinked one time yeah I mean yeah wow
00:35:16you're a real singer thank you man I'm really proud of you I love this show I love this show
00:35:22because we get to meet kids and
00:35:23kids like you your voice is beautiful you have a beautiful vibrato a beautiful tone we could understand everything you
00:35:32were singing and you were in the song emotionally
00:35:35which just took us right there with you so beautiful problem what problem you don't have a problem the only
00:35:44thing wrong with you is you got to figure out how you're gonna navigate this career
00:35:48wow what's up fam
00:35:50look at that love you love you I think we can vote yes indeed yes
00:36:04yes yes I think you could go really far in this competition we just haven't had voices like yours coming
00:36:12through those doors I'm really excited to give you a big ol
00:36:16oh yes see what you got to do with it
00:36:18we will see you in Hollywood week
00:36:21did it you did it
00:36:23we did it
00:36:24yeah we did it
00:36:25we did it
00:36:25when I was singing that song I was thinking of of younger me who wouldn't who wouldn't speak in class
00:36:30who was who was scared of what people thought of him and the fact that I got this is just
00:36:35proof that everything's working out how it should
00:36:37I'm always got a pretty voice
00:36:39does
00:36:39I'm going to Hollywood week
00:36:41woo
00:36:42love you
00:36:43love you too
00:36:43you can do anything you put your mind to
00:36:45and I'm always here for you
00:36:47I'm very proud of you
00:36:48love you
00:36:48love you
00:36:49but you'll feel right kid
00:36:55you're going to Hollywood week my friend
00:36:57and
00:37:00all right
00:37:01you have a great voice
00:37:02he has a good voice
00:37:04I'm hitting the restroom
00:37:05I just saw that we were in the Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams Paisley ballroom
00:37:10oh yeah
00:37:11we're in your ballroom Paisley
00:37:16you know what I mean
00:37:22oh I can't wait to ruin this whole show
00:37:24this is going to be something we're counting on you
00:37:29now you are going to wind Luke up a little bit to get Carrie right
00:37:32yeah yeah yeah
00:37:33so we're putting your piece in Luke's ears
00:37:35basically I'm going to try to make Luke say ridiculously awkward stuff
00:37:40we're not ruining someone's audition so you can really have some fun with it
00:37:43here's our contestant
00:37:45nice to see you again
00:37:45nice to meet you
00:37:50you want a safe word
00:37:52what's our safe word Luke
00:37:53this safe word is hot chicken
00:37:55don't chicken out
00:37:56don't hot chicken out
00:37:59sorry kids
00:38:01here we go
00:38:02number nine
00:38:04Luke I want you to turn to Carrie right now and say
00:38:06hey Carrie how much do you think I can bench press
00:38:09Carrie
00:38:11sure
00:38:11how much can I bench press
00:38:14I don't know
00:38:15what kind of question is that
00:38:19165 Carrie
00:38:20165
00:38:21really huh
00:38:22what are you benching these days
00:38:24I don't know
00:38:25why don't you know these things you're in all these fitness ads
00:38:28I am but I'm not looking for like personal records
00:38:31who are you
00:38:33who are you
00:38:33my name is Dylan Holmes
00:38:34I am from Spring Lake Michigan
00:38:36I can't stand Michigan
00:38:38I can't stand Michigan
00:38:39oh that's it
00:38:41what is happening
00:38:43we just lost all of Michigan
00:38:44I don't even like Illinois
00:38:46and Illinois is falling off too
00:38:48well there's two states you can only tour in 48 states now
00:38:52oh okay
00:38:52did you go take shots?
00:38:55let's see what you got
00:38:57let's see what you got
00:39:00pass
00:39:02pass
00:39:02pass
00:39:04you just let the poor boy sing
00:39:06why don't you sing a Lionel Richie song
00:39:09come on
00:39:09sing a Lionel Richie song
00:39:10no no no don't sing a Lionel Richie song
00:39:12I'll do it
00:39:12we are the world right now
00:39:13we are the world
00:39:14no no no
00:39:16there comes a time
00:39:17somebody come get a move
00:39:19when we need a certain call
00:39:21alright you're good
00:39:22good? alright
00:39:23she comes from silver spoon golden rule
00:39:27I'm gonna try to bench 175 tomorrow
00:39:31I'm benching 175 tomorrow
00:39:33she's on loving me
00:39:37loves me the way I
00:39:43she's not just along for the ride
00:39:46she keeps on loving
00:39:50and I keep on wondering
00:39:53why
00:39:59um
00:40:00I need more hot chicken
00:40:02every time you take a sip
00:40:05I need more hot chicken out of you
00:40:07he's doing the hot chicken reference
00:40:09which is his bed
00:40:10what the heck does hot do
00:40:11why
00:40:11do I look like a waiter
00:40:13Carrie guess what
00:40:14my physical trainer's here
00:40:15that's helping me bench press
00:40:17Carrie guess what
00:40:18my physical trainer's here
00:40:19he's awesome
00:40:21the sexiest trainer
00:40:22I've ever seen
00:40:23what is happening
00:40:24and he's been telling me
00:40:25what to say this whole time
00:40:26and this trainer's been telling me
00:40:28everything to say
00:40:28this whole audition
00:40:29what are you doing?
00:40:32is that where you were
00:40:33when you went to the bathroom?
00:40:35what is happening?
00:40:37for like 20 minutes
00:40:38is that why we started hating on Michigan?
00:40:41yeah
00:40:41I was just telling him what to say
00:40:42we really like Michigan by the way
00:40:44I thought he had fallen
00:40:46yeah he's having an episode
00:40:48you want to hear something great?
00:40:49I didn't think anything was wrong
00:40:54business as usual
00:40:59I think that should just be like our exclamatory word
00:41:03that should be our bottle for the school class
00:41:05hot chicken
00:41:05hot chicken
00:41:06very real simple
00:41:10kind of man
00:41:14won't you to dance for me son
00:41:17if you can
00:41:19that's your wheelhouse
00:41:21kind of the southern rock thing
00:41:23I'm a yes
00:41:24hot chicken
00:41:25hot chicken
00:41:26thank you so much
00:41:28yeah
00:41:29that's how you do that
00:41:32hey guys
00:41:33a little hot chicken
00:41:33is celebrating the auditions in Nashville
00:41:35sweet girl
00:41:37woo
00:41:37woo
00:41:38woo
00:41:42woo
00:41:43woo
00:41:44woo
00:41:46woo
00:41:47woo
00:41:47woo
00:41:48woo
00:41:48woo
00:41:48woo
00:41:53really well done
00:41:55it's a yes
00:41:55hot chicken
00:41:56thank you
00:41:57oh my god
00:41:58woo
00:41:59woo
00:42:00woo
00:42:01woo
00:42:01woo
00:42:02woo
00:42:02woo
00:42:04you know I can't stand it
00:42:06you're running around
00:42:09you know better die
00:42:12I can't stand it cause you put me down
00:42:16no no no
00:42:19I put a spell on you
00:42:28because you're my
00:42:36you have a bring the house down voice
00:42:40I'm already standing up
00:42:42it's a yes for me
00:42:43hot chicken
00:42:44hot chicken
00:42:46cheers Ron
00:42:47cheers
00:42:48woo
00:42:49I'm gonna go with the pickles
00:42:51yeah
00:42:52woo
00:42:53woo
00:42:53my name is Genevieve Hayward
00:42:55my group of people that I brought with me are wearing my iconic if I do say so myself pickle
00:43:01shirt
00:43:02I'm a big fan of pickles I just love them
00:43:05woo
00:43:05today I have about a million people with me
00:43:09oh my god Kyle
00:43:13I love pickles
00:43:21who doesn't
00:43:23sweet or dill
00:43:25dill
00:43:25sliced or whole
00:43:26whole
00:43:27rigid or flat
00:43:28rigid
00:43:29do you make your own pickles
00:43:30I do I love pickling things
00:43:32I like pickling things
00:43:34do you too
00:43:34let's go
00:43:35I make pickles
00:43:36give me some recipes I'm here for it
00:43:38dad I don't think I've seen you in a pickle shirt yet
00:43:41thanks for whipping it out today for me
00:43:43put me in a pickle more than once
00:43:44yeah
00:43:48what are you gonna sing for us
00:43:49so today I'm going to be doing magic man by heart
00:43:52oh you're kidding
00:43:54woo
00:43:55okay
00:43:55let's hear it
00:43:56okay
00:43:57let's hear it
00:43:57let's hear it
00:43:57let's hear it
00:43:58let's hear it
00:43:59let's hear it
00:44:01cold late night so long ago
00:44:04when I was not so strong you know
00:44:07pretty man came to me
00:44:09never seen eyes so blue
00:44:11you know I could not look away it seemed
00:44:15we seen each other in a dream
00:44:18seemed like he knew me
00:44:20he looked right through me
00:44:23yeah
00:44:28come on home girl
00:44:30mama cried on the phone
00:44:33just soon to lose my baby
00:44:36and my girl should be at home
00:44:38but try to understand
00:44:41try to understand
00:44:44try to understand
00:44:49try try try try
00:44:52to understand
00:44:55he's a magic man
00:45:02great
00:45:03oh my god you're understanding for me
00:45:05what the heck
00:45:06thank you
00:45:07I mean that's a tall order
00:45:08that's a tall order
00:45:09right there
00:45:09it takes some
00:45:10some pickles
00:45:14to uh
00:45:15to uh
00:45:16I gave him this morning
00:45:17to cover that
00:45:17yeah
00:45:17but you made it your own
00:45:19you weren't trying to like emulate
00:45:21you even changed the melody a little bit
00:45:23you have this cool rasp at the top end of your voice
00:45:25I want to hear more
00:45:27yeah
00:45:28Carrie's funny Carrie wrote pickle girl on her
00:45:31I just want to make sure I remember
00:45:33let's go
00:45:34I think you're going to still yet have to push
00:45:36yes
00:45:37even more with some of the singers we have
00:45:39but you did well
00:45:40thank you
00:45:40you've got the tools to do pretty much anything you want to do
00:45:43is just don't think
00:45:44just let your voice do what it's supposed to do
00:45:46cool
00:45:46all right
00:45:47yeah Carrie what's your vote
00:45:48my vote is yes
00:45:50wow
00:45:51Luke
00:45:52yes
00:45:52thank you
00:45:53I'm going to stand up on this one
00:45:54it's a yes for me
00:45:55and you're going to Hollywood week
00:45:56yay
00:45:57what
00:45:58oh my god
00:45:59if they all have their shirts on
00:46:01wow
00:46:04pickle girl
00:46:06pickle girl
00:46:07pickle girl
00:46:08yeah
00:46:09let's go baby
00:46:10woo
00:46:11she's the real dill
00:46:14how does it feel to be pickle girl
00:46:16you know it's not
00:46:18who I thought I would be
00:46:19but I think it's who I was born to be
00:46:21and we can't always pick that
00:46:22that was pretty kosher
00:46:24ah
00:46:26that was very good
00:46:28I'm going to be the best version of pickle girl I could be
00:46:38hot chicken hot chicken
00:46:44you know this one
00:46:45I do
00:46:47sherry
00:46:54sherry
00:46:55Sherry, baby, Sherry, baby, Sherry, baby, Sherry, can you come out tonight, tonight?
00:47:18That's not an easy one to pull off.
00:47:20It's not.
00:47:21I like the Frankie, I'm looking for your identity.
00:47:24Okay.
00:47:24You have a lane and you're really good at it, but in the context of American Idol, like
00:47:31that's just not what this is.
00:47:33So it's a no for this, but a yes for you.
00:47:36There you go.
00:47:37And just keep being awesome.
00:47:42Sherry, baby.
00:47:43Goodness.
00:47:44Oof.
00:47:44Did I get there?
00:47:45Yeah.
00:47:46Oh yeah, you did.
00:47:48Woo.
00:47:49This year we have a very unique talent.
00:47:52Hi guys, I'm Jules.
00:47:54I'm 25 years old.
00:47:56And I'm from Charlotte, North Carolina.
00:47:58Today I will be singing, Bust the Windows Out My Car.
00:48:01Oh goodness.
00:48:02That's it.
00:48:03I bust the windows out your car.
00:48:03Thank you very much everybody.
00:48:05Good night.
00:48:06I saw that movie.
00:48:17It's really magnetic when you see these kids with a different sound.
00:48:22I traveled each and every highway, and more, much more than this, I did it my way.
00:48:41Man, you have a great voice, but you're in a deal where you want to do the Elvis stuff.
00:48:47Right, yeah.
00:48:48Sometimes people that are a little left of center, you have to maybe work on them on the
00:48:53fly.
00:48:54They think that I'm talking foolish.
00:48:57Now you sing that in your voice.
00:48:59You may think that I'm talking.
00:49:02You're from Maine.
00:49:03You don't say that like that.
00:49:05We're picking on you right now because you have something.
00:49:09Come back and show us who you are, and I guarantee you, you will leave with a golden ticket.
00:49:14But it's a no right now.
00:49:16I bust the windows out your car.
00:49:18I feel like you deserve a shot to bring the bigger no.
00:49:22I think it's in there.
00:49:23I say yes.
00:49:24I'll bring it out.
00:49:24I will not bust no window out your car.
00:49:27I know I can bring it.
00:49:28I know you would.
00:49:29I will not be disappointed at all.
00:49:32I'm a no.
00:49:33Really?
00:49:33I am.
00:49:34You'll never have to hear that voice again in your life.
00:49:36Give me one more chance.
00:49:37I promise.
00:49:38I'm dug in.
00:49:39I'm dug in.
00:49:40What does dug in mean?
00:49:41Dug in like a tick.
00:49:43Like not moving.
00:49:44Aw, heartbreak.
00:49:46I'm sorry.
00:49:47I think you made a wrong decision.
00:49:51Tell me about your music history.
00:49:53How do people respond to your voice when you sing?
00:49:56I think it's unique, I would say.
00:49:58I can't wait to hear it.
00:49:59Does that mean we should get ready for some uniqueness?
00:50:03If you want, yeah.
00:50:05So, who are you?
00:50:07I'm Brooks Rosser.
00:50:08I'm 22 years old.
00:50:09I'm from Bel Air, Maryland.
00:50:11What do you do up there in Maryland?
00:50:12I work at a dementia care facility as a medication technician.
00:50:17Nice.
00:50:18Very cool.
00:50:18How many shows are you playing a year?
00:50:21I've gone to a couple gigs, but I've only just played guitar.
00:50:25I've never really performed.
00:50:32Ain't all right.
00:50:34The hardness of my hair.
00:50:39Morning, John.
00:50:40Hey, Brooks.
00:50:41Good morning.
00:50:44Morning, Skip.
00:50:45Hey.
00:50:46How are you, buddy?
00:50:47Not bad.
00:50:49Doing all right?
00:50:49I was just looking at this article on the next generation of Excelers.
00:50:55Oh, yeah?
00:50:56I like trains.
00:50:58You sleep good?
00:51:00Yeah.
00:51:01For the last two years, I've been working in the dementia care field, and it's been extremely fulfilling.
00:51:07I've made a lot of friendships with so-called patients.
00:51:10They're actually just friends.
00:51:12Can you sing me a song today?
00:51:14Yeah.
00:51:15It ain't all right.
00:51:17Growing up, I was a shy kid.
00:51:21I didn't really know how to make my own friends.
00:51:24My grandmother was always my biggest fan.
00:51:27You know, she was one person that I never had trouble talking to.
00:51:30When she first started showing dementia-like symptoms, I picked up the guitar, and that
00:51:34was one way where we could both practice speaking from the heart.
00:51:38But it's still all right.
00:51:39Woo-hoo!
00:51:41It would help her learn her words back, and it would help me get mine out.
00:51:45Woo-hoo!
00:51:47Woo-hoo!
00:51:47Woo-hoo!
00:51:49Woo-hoo!
00:51:50After taking care of my grandmother, I realized this was a passion of mine, to be there for
00:51:54people, even if they don't remember me.
00:51:56Standing out on the left with no way to get down.
00:52:00Music, it's one thing that you can't forget.
00:52:04I think your town is far above most people.
00:52:13Next week, I'm going to Nashville to try out for American Idol
00:52:16and see if they like me.
00:52:18I have no experience playing in front of people.
00:52:22It's going to be a lot different,
00:52:25but I'll just pretend the celebrity judges
00:52:27are just more of my friends and residents.
00:52:30I think you're going to do fine if you play like that.
00:52:34I play like that?
00:52:35And you sing like that.
00:52:37All right.
00:52:38I'm going to root you on.
00:52:46All right, what you got?
00:52:48What you singing?
00:52:49Your Place at My Place by Joshua Sloan.
00:52:52Okay, perfect.
00:52:56All right.
00:53:09I'm running out of ways to fix us.
00:53:13I thought I loved you.
00:53:14It was only just a mix up.
00:53:17That's what you said when you were crying because you missed us.
00:53:21You don't even know how bad I wish I could fix trust
00:53:28Is now it's too late
00:53:30So much for another soulmate
00:53:34Should've known you only get one, babe
00:53:40Nobody's ever taken your place
00:53:43In my place
00:53:45I'm running out of ways to fix us
00:53:48I thought I loved you, it was only just a mix-up
00:53:52That's what you said when you were crying
00:53:55Cause you missed us
00:53:56You don't even know how bad I wish I could fix trust
00:54:03Wow
00:54:06Wow
00:54:08Wow
00:54:09Wow
00:54:09Thank you
00:54:11Wow
00:54:12Gosh, I just want to hear more
00:54:14Yeah
00:54:15And you haven't played out much
00:54:17And why is that?
00:54:19I'm working too much
00:54:20Well stop doing that
00:54:22Do you understand why we're so excited?
00:54:25Cause you, do you understand why?
00:54:27No
00:54:27Man, no matter what you sing
00:54:30It's gonna be beautifully unique
00:54:32Yeah
00:54:33Everybody kinda sounds like somebody else
00:54:36Or is emulating someone else
00:54:37So when you kinda meet somebody
00:54:39That you're a unicorn
00:54:42Like there's, it's one of one
00:54:44That's really cool
00:54:45Thank you so much
00:54:46What's your favorite song to sing
00:54:48At the place you work?
00:54:50Probably Knock It On Heaven's Door
00:54:52Let's hear it
00:54:53Wow
00:54:55Wow
00:55:13I'ma take this badge off of me
00:55:21I can't use it anymore
00:55:28It's getting dark
00:55:31Too dark to see
00:55:33I feel I'm knocking on heaven's door
00:55:45Knock, knock, knocking on heaven's door
00:55:53Knock, knock, knocking on heaven's door
00:56:01Knock, knock, knocking on heaven's door
00:56:09Knock, knock, knocking on heaven's door
00:56:13Oh, that's so good
00:56:19Oh, that's so good
00:56:19It's so good
00:56:20It's so good, man
00:56:22Woo
00:56:22So good
00:56:23Thank you so much
00:56:24So good
00:56:25You have a unique style all your own
00:56:28I have not heard another voice like this ever
00:56:32Congratulations
00:56:32Thank you so much
00:56:33This is major, major stuff here
00:56:34Thank you so much
00:56:35Did you watch the show last year?
00:56:37Yeah
00:56:37Do you remember Thunderstorm?
00:56:39Yeah
00:56:40Well, he's over there
00:56:41That's him over there listening
00:56:42We've been having people dropping by
00:56:44It's fun
00:56:45What do you think, Thunderstorm?
00:56:46Man, it's amazing, dude
00:56:47Like, your voice is crazy
00:56:49Isn't that great?
00:56:51I'm obsessed, brother
00:56:52Thank you so much
00:56:53Thunderstorm, you want to vote?
00:56:56That's all yeses for me
00:56:58You don't get a yes
00:56:59I don't know what's going on
00:57:02Oh, man
00:57:03Thank you for being in our life
00:57:04I mean, it's like
00:57:05When you hear Van Morrison
00:57:07Yeah, real iconic
00:57:08Crazy
00:57:09I think it's another countdown, right?
00:57:11Yeah
00:57:11Oh, yeah
00:57:12One, two, three
00:57:13You're going to Hollywood Week
00:57:18Thank you so much
00:57:22God
00:57:22I can't rest
00:57:25Oh, I'm so proud of you
00:57:27I've always been shy and insecure
00:57:28So hearing compliments from people as big as the judges
00:57:32Really means something
00:57:34And that will forever be with me
00:57:36We are so lucky, guys
00:57:37Oh, there's choices, too
00:57:39There's choices on
00:57:40Oh
00:57:41We're so lucky
00:57:42That's crazy
00:57:45Skippers
00:57:47Remember when I told you I was going to audition for American Idol?
00:57:51Yeah
00:57:53They said yes
00:57:54That looks classy
00:57:56You want to hold it?
00:57:58That is great
00:58:01Thank you for your support
00:58:02All you have to do is win
00:58:13What are you going to do when you see Lionel?
00:58:14I'm going to scream
00:58:16Hey
00:58:17Hey, book signing
00:58:18Oh, look at that
00:58:20Is this for you?
00:58:21Lionel Richie
00:58:22That guy's got aura
00:58:23Oh, my gosh
00:58:24I read the whole thing this weekend
00:58:26Lionel likes to use his legend status
00:58:29Lionel's got riz, dude
00:58:30Legend card
00:58:32What is that?
00:58:33I love it
00:58:36What's your name?
00:58:37Kendall
00:58:37Kendall
00:58:38Kendall, who is here today with you?
00:58:40This is my mom and my dad
00:58:41Hi
00:58:42Husband
00:58:44Oh, my God
00:58:44Are you excited?
00:58:45Yes
00:58:46Growing up, we watched American Idol a lot
00:58:48Like as a family
00:58:50I'm 29
00:58:51And I live right here in Nashville, Tennessee
00:58:54And I am a singer-songwriter full-time
00:58:58I'm 16 years old
00:58:59So just being here, I'm really excited
00:59:01I've been pursuing music as far back as I can remember
00:59:05I've never wanted to be a lawyer or a doctor
00:59:07Or I just wanted to do music
00:59:09Oh, my God
00:59:13I started singing in my youth group
00:59:14It kind of got me out of my shell a bit
00:59:17But I've never met anybody huge or famous or anything
00:59:20So it's going to be really different
00:59:22Definitely a little nerve-wracking though
00:59:26To be a songwriter
00:59:27It's my favorite thing in the world
00:59:29Because eventually
00:59:31One person kind of like understand
00:59:33You know, what you've written about
00:59:35Or what you're singing about
00:59:37And that's my favorite part about it
00:59:39How are you?
00:59:42I'm great, how are y'all?
00:59:43Good
00:59:43Good
00:59:43What's your name?
00:59:45My name is Lainey Grace
00:59:46I'm 16 years old
00:59:47And I'm from Prattville, Alabama
00:59:48What do you do as a 16-year-old in Alabama?
00:59:51I work at Chick-fil-A
00:59:53That's really fun
00:59:54There you go
00:59:55Tell us a little bit about your family
00:59:57I've got 12 siblings
00:59:59Two brothers and 10 sisters
01:00:01Wow
01:00:01There's a lot of us
01:00:02Let's say a prayer for your brothers
01:00:05Are they here today with you?
01:00:07I have two of my sisters and my dad out there
01:00:10Yes
01:00:10So not the whole crew
01:00:12We have a big farm
01:00:13And my mom had to stay back
01:00:14And handle that
01:00:14Okay, head inside and wait
01:00:16Your audition is next
01:00:18What's on your farm?
01:00:19Six cows, lots of chickens
01:00:21We've got three goats
01:00:22Cool
01:00:23What are you going to be singing for us?
01:00:25I'm going to be singing Honest by Kendall Inskeep
01:00:27How did you discover that?
01:00:29She is kind of a small artist
01:00:31I discovered her music through my sister, actually
01:00:34And I was like, what is this song?
01:00:35I love it
01:00:36Cool, that's cool
01:00:37Okay
01:00:38Are you playing?
01:00:39I am playing
01:00:40Awesome
01:00:43Variation, wow
01:00:50Every time I walk out of the house
01:00:53Put on another phase
01:00:55Just a blend in with the crowd
01:00:57So nobody sees me
01:01:00You would never believe me
01:01:05I tell you that I'm old
01:01:07But I'm still healing
01:01:08I tell you that I'm happy
01:01:10But I'm grieving
01:01:11Thought I was a fighter
01:01:15But I'm still in the fire
01:01:18And if I'm being honest
01:01:22I'm not being honest
01:01:26I'll give you roses
01:01:28Just hoping you don't see
01:01:30The weeds in my garden
01:01:33I tell you that I'm old
01:01:35But I'm still healing
01:02:05I tell you that I'm happy
01:02:06I'm just being honest
01:02:13I'm just being honest
01:02:15All right
01:02:17Minus the concentration of trying to play the piano
01:02:20You have some vocal chops
01:02:22Thank you
01:02:23There were a lot of kind of timid things that you were doing
01:02:26That will only improve the more you play out
01:02:29But I mean, I feel like you have a lot of potential
01:02:32Thank you
01:02:33Everything about you is 16
01:02:35But you have a tone and sound in your voice
01:02:38It's really undeniable
01:02:40Correct
01:02:41You are by no means ready for this
01:02:44But I don't think I can fight the urge
01:02:47Say yes
01:02:48I think I have to tell her yes
01:02:51Thank you
01:02:53I think it's a not quite yet for me
01:02:56No, listen, hey
01:02:58If I put you through now
01:03:00I feel like all the other big voices
01:03:03That have been playing out for years
01:03:05They are going to wash you away
01:03:08I would rather give you
01:03:09What if she just did one without the piano
01:03:10She could just try singing to the top of her lungs
01:03:14You think she's
01:03:15You think she could win this
01:03:17Like right now we're in
01:03:19Well, then there's your answer
01:03:21I mean, it's up to Lina
01:03:23We still have one more dog in the fight
01:03:26Say yes, say yes
01:03:27I think you've got some real grown-up qualities in there
01:03:31I like very much
01:03:32I might need to hear a little more
01:03:36Well, the song that you sang
01:03:41The songwriter, Kendall
01:03:43Is actually here
01:03:45Now
01:03:46Right now
01:03:47Right now
01:03:47Kind of coming up behind you
01:03:50Right now, kind of walking over your shoulder
01:03:52Oh, my God
01:03:54Can I really hug you?
01:03:56Oh, my God
01:03:57That was so beautiful
01:03:59Isn't that great?
01:04:00Can you guys sing that together?
01:04:02Yeah
01:04:02Give her a stool
01:04:03You sing it
01:04:04Yeah, we got you a stool
01:04:05Well, first of all
01:04:06Are you auditioning?
01:04:07I'm auditioning today
01:04:08Wow
01:04:09And hopefully changing one vote
01:04:12Yeah
01:04:13Let's hear y'all do it
01:04:14Yeah
01:04:15Okay
01:04:17Project, fill this room up
01:04:20I'm just being honest
01:04:22Yeah
01:04:24Oh, I'm not being honest
01:04:26Sing it to him
01:04:28I'll give you roses
01:04:29Just hoping you don't see the weeds
01:04:32In my garden
01:04:34Yeah
01:04:35Yeah
01:04:36If I'm being honest
01:04:39I'm at my darkest
01:04:41Come on, girl
01:04:42I'm sitting here waiting
01:04:45And praying for someone
01:04:46To show me what love is
01:04:50I'm just being honest
01:04:53I'm just being honest
01:04:53Good, good
01:04:54Oh, you're so great
01:04:56Good
01:04:56Oh, that was so great
01:04:57Sorry, I'm just fine
01:04:58What do you think, Lionel?
01:05:02Um, I must tell you
01:05:04I'm debating if you have a master of it yet
01:05:17Good
01:05:17Oh, that was so great
01:05:19What do you think, Lionel?
01:05:23Um, I must tell you
01:05:25I have Luke's heart
01:05:28I'm telling you
01:05:32Come back to see us
01:05:34It's a no from me this time
01:05:36But that was very
01:05:38It was
01:05:39Thank you
01:05:39Very, very great
01:05:40Very inspiring
01:05:42Thank you
01:05:42All right, we'll see you back here
01:05:43All right
01:05:44Thank you
01:05:45All right
01:05:45All right
01:05:45Thank you
01:05:46All right
01:05:46Thank you
01:05:46All right
01:05:58Luke said he liked me
01:05:59And Carrie and Lionel said
01:06:01I had a little bit of growing to do
01:06:02But I got to meet Kendall Inskeep
01:06:04And I got to sing with her
01:06:05So it was really mind-blowing
01:06:07Give me a second
01:06:09And I'll make it out of this
01:06:13Oh, I'm it
01:06:17I know I've been reckless
01:06:20But one day I know I'll be all again
01:06:26It might be today
01:06:28And it might be tomorrow
01:06:31When I wash my hands
01:06:34Of the shame that I've borrowed
01:06:37I'm sorry to unload like this
01:06:42I just can't keep it in
01:06:48Amen
01:06:59Give me a second
01:07:02And I'll make it out of this
01:07:05Oh, my man
01:07:09I know I've been reckless
01:07:12But one day I know I'll be whole again
01:07:17It might be today
01:07:21And it might be tomorrow
01:07:24When I wash my hands
01:07:27Of the shame I've borrowed
01:07:30I'm sorry to unload like this
01:07:34I just can't keep it in
01:07:41Amen
01:07:43Amen
01:07:49Kendall, you got stuff
01:07:50You got stuff
01:07:51You got stuff
01:07:52Thank you so much
01:07:54I like the song
01:07:55I love your voice
01:07:56It felt like we were in your world
01:07:58When things kind of took off
01:08:01And hitting those
01:08:02Baby, that note
01:08:04Like from here
01:08:05It was like, yeah
01:08:06Thank you
01:08:07I commend you
01:08:08On the fact of just
01:08:09Taking your time
01:08:10Exploring who you are
01:08:12I think that's just so brilliant
01:08:16You've got artists written all over you
01:08:18And I'm loving every minute of it
01:08:20Thank you so much
01:08:21Thank you
01:08:22I was really impressed
01:08:23When you stepped on the gas
01:08:25And you had that extra level of stuff
01:08:27In your range
01:08:28Thank you
01:08:30I think we can vote
01:08:31I can vote
01:08:32I can vote
01:08:33Go for it
01:08:34We can all vote
01:08:35Let's tell her the good news
01:08:37You're going to Hollywood a week
01:08:40Wait, can I like
01:08:41Can I shake your hands?
01:08:42Please
01:08:43You guys are so cool
01:08:44Oh, you are so cool
01:08:46Good job
01:08:47Thank you guys so much
01:08:48Yeah
01:08:49Congratulations
01:08:54Oh my gosh
01:08:55Oh my gosh
01:08:59Wait, can I tell you something?
01:09:01What?
01:09:02The girl before me
01:09:03Auditioned with Honest
01:09:05I just love the song
01:09:07And I love how much
01:09:08He's spoken to me
01:09:09Through your lyricism
01:09:10And it's just been so amazing
01:09:11And to be able to sing with you
01:09:13It was absolutely so inspiring
01:09:15Just to be able to meet you
01:09:17You're so sweet
01:09:18Thank you
01:09:19I love you
01:09:20I love you, babe
01:09:22We're besties
01:09:22Now we're friends, okay?
01:09:24This is what it feels
01:09:26You both got this
01:09:26Yeah
01:09:30Group selfie
01:09:31Oh, leave me up
01:09:35Oh, Lionel, is that you?
01:09:38This next kid went viral
01:09:41Because he's posting
01:09:42Singing from the shower
01:09:44Oh, wait
01:09:47Hi, my name is Alona
01:09:48And I am so excited to be here today
01:09:51I am actually not singing, though
01:09:53My boyfriend, Brian, is
01:09:54And no one has any idea
01:09:57What he looks like
01:09:57The camera is never on him
01:10:00It's always just on me
01:10:01Doing my hair and makeup
01:10:02So it's just me reacting
01:10:04So we're gonna not watch him sing
01:10:07So just make him feel comfortable
01:10:08Yeah, we gotta ease him into this
01:10:12I hear him walking
01:10:13I hear him
01:10:14It's getting close
01:10:17Life with Bryant is
01:10:19Oh, I'm gonna cry
01:10:20Sorry
01:10:25Gotta pull it together
01:10:28He's made me come out of my shell a lot
01:10:31Too as a person
01:10:34I didn't think that love ever existed like this
01:10:37Until I met him
01:10:40I can't see a thing
01:10:41I'm so excited to be on this journey with him
01:10:44And this is such a big deal
01:10:46All right, we can bring these down
01:10:50Hop from behind the pillar
01:10:51Don't look at me
01:10:53We're not looking
01:10:53We can't see you
01:10:54Okay
01:10:55All right, who are you?
01:10:57My name's Brian Thomas
01:10:58I'm from Mobile, Alabama
01:10:59Alabama?
01:11:01Well, you sound like you're from Alabama
01:11:02Roll Tide
01:11:03Roll Tide
01:11:04I am a singer-songwriter
01:11:06I grew up in the church
01:11:07Singing music
01:11:08How many fans do you have?
01:11:11Like 110,000
01:11:12Wow
01:11:13So the fans have never seen your face
01:11:15Correct
01:11:16Glowing your cover?
01:11:17Well, this is the first time
01:11:18We've ever allowed one of these to go this way
01:11:20Yeah
01:11:20So
01:11:21A new era of America night
01:11:23All right, what are you gonna sing for us?
01:11:25I'm singing Against All Odds by Phil Collins
01:11:27Fantastic
01:11:55Wow
01:11:57Wow
01:11:58Great, great
01:11:59So take a look at me now
01:12:03There's just an empty space
01:12:06And there's nothing left here to remind me
01:12:12Just the memory of your face
01:12:15So take a look at me now
01:12:19This is just an empty space
01:12:23But you coming back to me
01:12:26Is against the odds
01:12:28But it's what I've gotta face
01:12:31Take a good look at me now
01:12:34Hey
01:12:34Hey
01:12:35Because I'll still be standing here
01:12:38And you coming back to me
01:12:42Is against all odds
01:12:44But it's what I've gotta face
01:12:57Take a good look at me now
01:13:12Take a good look at me now
01:13:17You know
01:13:18I'm overwhelmed
01:13:19I can't lie to you
01:13:21I'm just gonna be like Luke
01:13:23And I'm gonna make jokes
01:13:25That's great
01:13:25That's great
01:13:25You're still kind of covered
01:13:27Because you got your shades on
01:13:28But I get it
01:13:29There's the full
01:13:30Whoa
01:13:31Whoa
01:13:32Carrie what you think
01:13:34Your voice is outrageous
01:13:37Thank you so much
01:13:39It means a lot to me
01:13:40To hear that from someone like you
01:13:42It's incredible
01:13:42It really is
01:13:43Even over there
01:13:44Behind a pillar
01:13:45You can feel
01:13:47Just so much emotion
01:13:48And life
01:13:50In your voice
01:13:51So
01:13:51Well done
01:13:52What you think
01:13:53Lionel about Bryant
01:13:54I think we got ourselves
01:13:55A hit record here
01:13:57You've got star
01:13:59Power
01:14:01Vocals man
01:14:03And that little rasp you have
01:14:05Is just
01:14:06On fire
01:14:08Thank you so much
01:14:09You were all the way there
01:14:10And I'm loving it man
01:14:12Thank you so much
01:14:14Yeah man great job
01:14:15And really really soulful voice
01:14:18I feel like I'm hallucinating
01:14:19Right now honestly
01:14:20It's a fever dream
01:14:21Like is this a projection
01:14:22Is this AI
01:14:24Well let's vote
01:14:25Lionel what you think
01:14:25About your Alabama boy
01:14:26Well I think
01:14:27For the University of Idle
01:14:29I would deem it
01:14:31Very excited to put you in
01:14:33As part of this class
01:14:34It's a yes for me
01:14:36I'm a heck yes
01:14:38Woo woo
01:14:38I'm a yes
01:14:40I love it
01:14:40Congratulations
01:14:42You got a lot of family
01:14:43In there behind you
01:14:44They're coming in
01:14:45What's up
01:14:46How are y'all
01:14:47Good
01:14:47Are you the girlfriend
01:14:49I am
01:14:49You started all this
01:14:51I did
01:14:51Come on guys
01:14:52Center in
01:14:53There you go
01:14:55Well he's going through
01:14:56The Hollywood week
01:14:57And he's a great singer
01:14:59I appreciate y'all bringing him to us
01:15:00I have one thing to say
01:15:02Yes
01:15:02Yes
01:15:02Yes
01:15:03Yes
01:15:03Yes
01:15:04Yes
01:15:06Hey
01:15:09What
01:15:09What
01:15:10So
01:15:12I told you
01:15:13You know when we started
01:15:14This whole journey
01:15:14You know that
01:15:15You were the one
01:15:18For me
01:15:19To be honest
01:15:20Whether I got a golden ticket
01:15:21Or not
01:15:21I was going to do this
01:15:23And I just want you to know
01:15:24That like my journey
01:15:25Started with you
01:15:26And it's going to end with you
01:15:28And I promise you that
01:15:31It's okay
01:15:32Can you say something
01:15:33Yes
01:15:34Yes
01:15:34Yes
01:15:36Ah congratulations
01:15:39Only on American Idol
01:15:41Oh my god
01:15:43This is beautiful
01:15:44Oh my god
01:15:46Guys
01:15:46Congratulations
01:15:48Oh my god
01:15:51Way to go man
01:15:53Oh my god
01:15:54Way to go
01:15:55Way to go
01:15:57I mean how did you sing
01:15:59Knowing you had to do that
01:16:00If you can see
01:16:02I'm telling you something
01:16:03Right now
01:16:03With the voice you have
01:16:05Skies can be the limit
01:16:06Of where you're going
01:16:07Congratulations man
01:16:10We're getting married
01:16:13I've been behind the scenes
01:16:14And I feel like I'm made
01:16:16For the stage
01:16:17And the spotlights
01:16:17So I'm ready to
01:16:19Assume my role
01:16:20In the front of this boat
01:16:22And take us all the way home
01:16:25That was good
01:16:30Awesome day y'all
01:16:32It was a good day
01:16:33I must tell you
01:16:34I must tell you
01:16:34The class is getting
01:16:36Very impressive
01:16:37And each one unique
01:16:39Unto themselves
01:16:41That's what makes it so beautiful
01:16:45Alright
01:16:46Hello
01:16:47Hi
01:16:48How are you?
01:16:49How are you?
01:16:49I don't believe you are a contestant
01:16:52I am not a contestant
01:16:55My name is Heather Wyatt
01:16:57I'm here to introduce Chloe
01:17:00Chloe is a young girl
01:17:02Who about a year ago
01:17:03Wrote and performed a song
01:17:05In honor of my daughter Aubrey
01:17:07That we lost to suicide in 2023
01:17:12So sorry for your loss
01:17:14Thank you
01:17:14That is just unimaginable
01:17:18Here's an original song
01:17:20That I wrote
01:17:20Dedicated to Aubrey Wyatt
01:17:22Called Forever 13
01:17:23I first heard Chloe's song
01:17:25About a year ago
01:17:26And immediately cried
01:17:28It was beautiful
01:17:28It was
01:17:30What Aubrey had gone through
01:17:34Forever 13
01:17:35Had some big dreams
01:17:38And you
01:17:43Aubrey is my forever 13 year old daughter
01:17:50She is bright, beautiful, talented
01:17:55And she endured years of bullying
01:17:58Social media pressures
01:18:00And took her life September 4th, 2023
01:18:13I'm just
01:18:16Very unexpected
01:18:23Something kept telling me to write that song
01:18:25So I did
01:18:25You didn't know her?
01:18:26I hadn't
01:18:26No, I never met her
01:18:27But you couldn't get this story out of your mind?
01:18:29I couldn't
01:18:30It did just relate
01:18:31I just
01:18:31I don't know
01:18:32I felt it so much in my heart
01:18:32To write this song
01:18:34Chloe does not know
01:18:35That I'm here today
01:18:36I have not met Chloe
01:18:38So this will be the first time meeting her
01:18:40And thanking her for this song
01:18:41Oh my god
01:18:49Oh my god
01:18:50Oh my god
01:18:54Hi
01:18:58This is the world of me
01:18:59You don't even know
01:19:00Thank you
01:19:01Thank you
01:19:02Thank you
01:19:02Thank you
01:19:03Thank you
01:19:03This is Chloe
01:19:05Hi
01:19:05Hi
01:19:06Hi Chloe
01:19:06Hi
01:19:06Sorry
01:19:07No, you're great
01:19:09Do you want to tell us your name?
01:19:11Tell us a little bit about yourself?
01:19:13All right
01:19:13My name is Chloe Grace
01:19:14I'm 15 years old
01:19:16And I'm from Jacksonville, Florida
01:19:17I went through some of the things Aubrey went through
01:19:20And it was really hard
01:19:21So I was like
01:19:21If I could write something
01:19:22That could just very small help someone
01:19:25Then it's totally worth me writing this song
01:19:27Music is very powerful
01:19:29And it can help
01:19:30Let people know that they're not alone
01:19:31So we're excited to hear the song
01:19:41She was only 13
01:19:45Had some big dreams
01:19:47And you took them all away
01:19:49She had her whole life ahead of her
01:19:54And you watched her drift away
01:19:58You never thought that what you said
01:20:01Can mess up someone else's head
01:20:04But maybe you think now that she's gone
01:20:11A young girl had to lose her life
01:20:14So that you could feel somewhat satisfied
01:20:17In this sick and twisted world
01:20:21You wouldn't think that a few young girls
01:20:24Could do any harm
01:20:27But look where we are
01:20:30Now she's dancing up in heaven
01:20:34With no tears, no worry, no weight
01:20:37On her shoulders today
01:20:45I've never felt that kind of pain
01:20:48But I can't imagine how it feels
01:20:52To be a mom and lose her daughter
01:20:56It must feel so sorry
01:21:00Like how can she be gone
01:21:03She blames herself for doing wrong
01:21:06But I hope that she knows
01:21:09It ain't her fault
01:21:11Even though she is gone
01:21:18Her story will forever live on
01:21:23And I'm gonna say her name
01:21:30Cause no one deserves that kind of pain
01:21:40Forever 13 had some big dreams
01:21:45And you took them all away
01:21:52Thank you
01:21:57I'm with you
01:21:57Thank you
01:22:02Goodness
01:22:04I'm just so moved
01:22:07Heather, that's a gift right there
01:22:08That's God looking back at you
01:22:11It is
01:22:11Just a very moving moment
01:22:13Yeah, I feel like the maturity that you possess
01:22:17Is quite incredible
01:22:20The way you
01:22:24Cause what about, what about that too
01:22:28The way you had your heart broken
01:22:32For someone you didn't even know
01:22:35You know
01:22:35And
01:22:37Take that
01:22:39And
01:22:39Basically say
01:22:41That something
01:22:46Positive
01:22:47Is going to come out of it
01:22:50And
01:22:51To potentially even think about
01:22:53All the
01:22:53People that
01:22:54Hear that
01:22:56And see you
01:22:56And hear this story
01:22:57And
01:22:59Maybe decide
01:23:02To change their mind
01:23:04About something
01:23:04You know
01:23:05It's pretty
01:23:06Pretty incredible
01:23:07Yeah, the fact that
01:23:09She wrote about
01:23:09What you were going through
01:23:11Not knowing you
01:23:12Shows
01:23:13A potential in you
01:23:15As a singer
01:23:16And a songwriter
01:23:17And someone
01:23:18That
01:23:18Can really do a lot of good
01:23:20In this world
01:23:22Yeah
01:23:24I'm a yes
01:23:25Thank you
01:23:27I don't even have to think about it
01:23:28I'm a yes
01:23:31A yes for me
01:23:32Welcome to the class
01:23:33Welcome to the class
01:23:36Oh my God
01:23:37Thank you so much
01:23:38You're special
01:23:39You know that
01:23:42You're special
01:23:43You've been one of my biggest inspirations
01:23:46Since I was
01:23:48Seven years old
01:23:49Well now who's the inspiration
01:23:52It's pretty incredible
01:23:53Thank you so much
01:24:05I've always dreamed of holding one of these in my hand
01:24:09And for it to be like this
01:24:10And to get it singing a song I wrote
01:24:13And a song I poured my whole heart into
01:24:15Is insane
01:24:28We pray for the one who's going to leave the class
01:24:32It's you
01:24:33Why have we not seen you yet?
01:24:36I have an announcement
01:24:38I'm Brittany Bateman
01:24:40The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City
01:24:45You're crazy talented
01:24:46Crazy unbelievable
01:24:47I don't even know if you know
01:24:50What you could be capable of
01:24:52I don't think we've seen a star star star like you yet
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