We have finally made it to the end of the audition phase of the competition and I am pumped about Hollywood week! I think there is a nice pool of talent to draw on as we move forward. We end up in New York and Puerto Rico… and I must say we ended on a high note!
We started the night off with Adeola Adegoke who sang “And I Am Telling You” by “Jennifer Hudson.” That was my first clue that she wasn’t going to Hollywood for the same reason I know it can’t be good when people say they are going to sing “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston. Adeola was so sure she was making it to Hollywood, she quit her job. The tender side of Simon came out and he helped her out by calling her boss to get her job back.
Jorge Nunez, our first Puerto Rican audition, brought the Latino flare that Idol hasn’t seen yet. Hey Ricky Martin has been gone for quite awhile! I think he can do well if he is able to translate his style into Idol format.
San Juan, PR auditioner Jessika Baier. 19. Jackson, MI. CR: Michael Becker / FOX
Jessika Baier paid for her trip and nine friends by winning singing contests- over 700 in her lifetime! She has a nice voice but was a bit over the top. I think Simon was a bit hard by saying she was horrible. I don’t know if something was wrong with my television because I didn’t think she was as bad as the judges let on. Well, at least she is making a decent living doing what she loves.
Melinda Camille, the resident hippie who loves to dance naked in her room, sang “Feeling Good.” Her voice was nice but her personality and likability is what really shined. America will love her, especially Dave over at Vote For the Worst (I can only imagine what they will do with the whole nudist comments).
Jackie Tohn is a 10-year musician veteran whose dad taught her to play guitar. I thought she started off a bit weird and I couldn’t see her fitting in with the various weekly styles until her second song using her “normal singing voice.” The judges gave her four yeses. She is not my favorite, but I think she could do well.
“Norman Gentle,” obviously someone who relies on comedy vs. talent to win people over, sings “And I am telling You.” His plan worked and finally won Simon over- making the judge acknowledge he was a bit funny. He then sang Amazing Grace and had a decent voice until he went into the second verse and went back into his cabaret. This didn’t detour the judges because they want to be entertained in Hollywood.
Monique Garcia Torres, has a sweet voice that doesn’t win over all of the judges. She depends on her cute nine-year-old brother, Christopher, to charm Simon. She makes it to Hollywood by the skin of her brother’s teeth.
We got a brief look at Kendall Beard who has gotten a lot of buzz on the internet. She had a great voice so I’m sure her fans (and yes, people are already choosing favorites) are happy.
As this season’s auditions wind down, a familiar face shows up. Alexis Cohen, the very angry, bitter rocker who used the finger quite frequently last year is back. She has now changed her attitude and is taking a calm zen approach to this years audition. Simon (and Kara) said she got worse and immediately the finger was up again. I think she is now one of Simon’s favorite people.
Patricia Lewis Roman was our last audition, singing in the exact spot her parents were married. The judges were not happy with “I Wanna Dance with Some Body” but let her through after a second song. I think if she can find away to stand out in Hollywood, she has a chance to capitalize on her international flare.
Now on to question and answer. If you have a question about American Idol, I encourage you to send it to me at staceypro@yahoo.com.
Ellen from Wichita writes, “Phil, We would like to know how the stories come up on the show. How do some people get their life stories talked about and some don’t? What is the deal with that?”
The truth is, many of the auditions get their stories filmed, but the producer has to choose the stories that seem the most interesting. It’s all about finding something that will intrigue the audience. That is how those stories are chosen.
Well, next week the fun begins. Hollywood week is exhausting and busy, but it provides an atmosphere where the best stand out. I can’t wait to see it with you! Until then, be safe.
2 Comments
Thanks for your recap, Phil.:-) I feel that several talented people were cut, while others, like Norman Gentle, were allowed through. I’m sorry, but I didn’t agree with that. I am also starting to pick my favorites, but I will have to look back over my recordings of the auditions to refresh my memory with the names. I definitely pick Jurge Nunez as one of my faves. He has that kind of voice that I grew up hearing when listening to salsa and other Spanish music. And Michael Castro, being the brother of one of my favorites, Jason, is one I will root for as well.
Phil, I can’t wait to have you input on who the top 24 will be. You choose the winner last year very early on so I have great faith in your knowledge of the show and what they are looking for and who they want to push. Thanks so much for doing this blog. I look forward to it every week!