Greetings, Idol fans! Welcome back to the land where dreams are sometimes made. We’re only one episode into season 17, but one thing is already clear: American Idol is coming for your tears. Admittedly, I’m an easy target, but I don’t quite remember sobbing during an audition episode before. Yet, here we are. So many Sad Stories tonight!
The two-hour premiere also contains a hearty dose of judging panel tom-foolery (Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Katy Perry have all returned), montages about eating potato chips and people who have strange names because hey why not, and the requisite “I think your biggest hurdle is just your voice” auditions. The fact that Idol still spends time airing these bad auditions is one of the greatest mysteries of our time. Sorry fans of mystic death trap metal, but we’ll be sticking to good singing and moving stories as we recap our first audition episode of season 17. Buckle up, babies.
Walker Burroughs, Age 20, Birmingham, Ala.
“Love Like This” by Ben Rector
We’re kicking this whole thing off with a very cute nerd on the piano and he delivers some soul. I feel like there are some youths out there who could get very into Walker. Katy compares him to Ben Folds and Billy Joel and then tells him he’s “top 10 material.” If that’s not a good audition, I don’t what is. Not like he needs to prove himself any further, but Walker here returns to the piano to play a little of Lionel’s “Hello.” So, uh, yeah, this kid is going to Hollywood.
Johanna Jones, Age 23, Las Vegas, Nev.
“I’m Not the Only One” by Sam Smith
It’s Idol’s first stint in Idaho and it seems to be going well, judging by talent like Johanna here. They spend a lot of time chatting In-and-Out Burger (where she’s a cook) before getting to the singing. And yes, sure, Johanna is a nice blonde lady who can sing but the real story here is this older Alan person accompanying her on the guitar. When the judges praise Johanna’s controlled, precise voice, ALAN STARTS CRYING. Who is Alan and can he come back for Hollywood Week?
Kai the Singer, Age 19, Kingstree, S.C.
“Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran / “My Girl” by The Temptations
Kai isn’t the strongest singer in this batch of auditions, but her story packs a wallop. Her family struggles financially, they’ve been homeless, lived in shelters, and are currently living in a home with only two beds for eight people. The judges are moved that she’s pushed herself to get here, to follow her dream. So when she starts out on the guitar and nerves get the best of her, they ask her to sing something else. Kai heads to the piano and she’s a completely different singer. It’ll be interesting to see what songs she chooses in the next round.
Tyler Mitchell, Age 26, Florien, La.
“Whenever You Come Around” by Vince Gill
Let this gentle giant sing me to sleep! Tyler gets the “country bumpkin in the big city” edit — it’s his first time in New York City! — but no one’s worried about inexperience once he starts singing. The judges go crazy for this country crooner. I mean, saying things like “put your wings on, you’re getting ready to fly” level of crazy (that one is from Lionel, but all three have equally enthusiastic critiques). Tyler’s inexperience does come out a bit in his performance level, but Luke (who is such a fan, he even harmonizes with Tyler during his audition) advises him to simply “smile through the awkward times,” which honestly is some great general life advice, too.
Margie Mays, Age 25, Wilmington, Del.
“Shot” by Lawrence
Margie Mays is A LOT. But she knows it. And the judges love it (well, Katy and Luke love it, Lionel is just scared, mostly). The nervous burping. The forgetting her name. The weird noises. The best thing about Margie Mays is that when Katy tells her she’s a star, she curses so much she has to be bleeped. Okay, that was my personal favorite thing. The actual best thing about her is that yes, she’s a big personality, but she has some pipes to back it up. It gets a little shouty at times, but she easily proves she should move on to the next round. Dear lord, how much burping will we get during Hollywood Week?
Ryan Seacrest hosts as Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan guide aspiring singers on their way to superstardom.
from Top Viral News Blog https://ift.tt/2VECQ3D
0 Comments