Boston brought us Maddy Curtis, Amadeo DiRocco, Ashley Rodriguez, Tyler Grady, Katie Stevens, Justin Williams, and Leah Laurenti in American Idol Season 9 Episode 1. A surprising change of decent talent compared to the usual audition shows that feature one or two people with a chance.
Tonight we head to Atlanta with guest judge is Mary J Blige.
Keia Johnson sings the Titanic song. Although her comments from Simon are not entirely glowing, she’s through with 4 votes.
Miriam Lemnouni, Noel Reese, and Tisha Holland also advance.
Jermaine Sellers is a church singer who’s been taking care of his mom since he was 17. He sings One of Us by Joan Osbourne. Randy calls it the best vocal yet.
Christy Marie Argonow sings Love Is a Battlefield by Pat Benatar. She just lost that battle.
Vanessa Wolfe likes jumping off a bridge in her town of 1100 people. She sings Wagon Wheel by Old Crow Medicine Show. Kara thought that was better than expected. Simon likes her, despite the fact that she’s ill-prepared and nervous. This trip to Hollywood will mean her first ride on an airoplane.
Jesse Hamilton believes he has almost died three times. But he survived to give us this painful audition instead.
Holly Harden gets dressed up as a human guitar. Simon is irritated already. She sings You Ain’t Woman Enough to Take My Man by Loretta Lynn. I’m sensing another Kellie Pickler here. The judges are surprised that they can’t hate on this girl in a goofy outfit.
Mallorie Haley sings Piece of My Heart by Janis Joplin. Good voice, although I don’t sense Janis from her. Mary says that was the best vocal she’s heard.
Antonio “Skii Bo Ski” Wheeler already has a stupid nickname picked out. As much as I want to hate him, he sings I Heard It through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye well. Simon calls him awful and terrible, but the other three like his voice. Randy suggests dropping the nonsense.
Carmen Turner and Lauren Sanders are BFFs for life. Lauren sounds, well, quiet. On the other hand, Carmen’s got a big voice. Simon wants them in a group together, the Ditz Sisters. Lauren is told no, but Carmen gets three yes votes. Simon tells her not to worry… they won’t be apart for too long.
Bryan Walker sings Superstar. This guy can sing.
Lamar Royal is there to meet Mary J Blige. He says before the audition he can take constructive criticism. After singing way over the top, he proceeds to refuse to listen to a word the judges are saying. As much as they’d like to tell him he may potentially have potential, he doesn’t even want to hear that. Security needs to escort this guy out because they don’t want to her him either. Now he hates Mary J Blige and wishes Paula was here. He continues making a fool out of himself out into the parking lot.
The final audition of the night is clearly going to be a waste of time. General Larry Platt has been beyond the age requirement for multiple decades. To make matters worse, he sings his own song, Pants on the Ground. The judges are far more amused with this than they probably should be.
Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol 9 Episode 3, which airs Tuesday at 8/7c on Fox.