You've been for waiting for it and it's finally here! Hollywood week-season9. After seven audition cities and over 100,000 auditions, 181 contestants are left in the competition. The tears, trimuph, tantrums and drama all make up Idol's Hollywood week.
The contestants hit the stage at the Kodak Theater to show the judges that they are here to stay.
Making her Idol judging debut...talk show host and comdienne Ellen Degeneres-will she be nice or mean to the contestants? She may not know anything about music but she will bring a little comic relief to the show. It's time to raise the game because when the smoke clears, 24 singers-12 guys and 12 girls-will compete for America's votes.
Part 1
Hollywood Week Round 1-Sudden Death
The contestants can sing acapella or play their instrument to impress the judges to continue on in the competition
"Skiiboski"-sang The Temptations' "Ain't Too Proud to Beg"; Ellen described him as a "Leopard in a Cave" and "A Fine Line Between Sexy & Crazy"--that's hilarious
Katie Stevens-sang Stevie Wonder's "For Once in My Life"; the judges like her--I think she will go all the way this year.
Skiiboski--OUT--THANK GOODNESS!!
Katie-IN
Vanessa Wolfe-from Venoro, Tennessee (very small town)--her first time on an airplane and her first trip to a big city; nervous; the nerves got the best of her in her performance; Ellen was modest
Andrew Garcia-played guitar and did an interesting version of former judge Paula Abdul's "Straight Up" it was pure genius; Paula would be screaming and cheering like crazy
Vanessa Wolfe-OUT--Her time in the big city was cut short
Andrew Garcia-IN
Tasha Layton-IN
Cornelius Edwards-OUT
Megan Wright-OUT
Amodeo Rocco-OUT
Janelle Wheeler-played her guitar; amazing--IN
Hayley Vaughn-her voice was in tune with her instrument--the guitar; interesting
Mary Powers-sang Pink's "Sober"; was in the zone
Hayley Vaughn & Mary Powers-IN
Maddie, Claire, Danny, & Torrie-Ellen was having fun telling them to step forward and step back; THEY'RE ALL IN
Ashley Rodriguez-IN
Charity Vance-IN
End of Day 1: 46 contestants survived Round 1
Day 2
Jay Stone-ridiculous performance; barely sang a note
Lily Scott-sang Ella Fitzgerald's version of "Lullaby of Birdland"; refreshing; made it her own
Lily Scott-IN
Jay Stone-OUT
Michael Lynche ("Big Mike")-Just found out that his wife is going into labor; he sang John Mayer's "Waiting for the World to Change"; Big Mike-IN
Justin Williams-Played piano and sang "Fly Me to the Moon"; interesting arrangement
Tim Urban-sang David Cook's "Come Back to Me"; started shaky; played his guitar
Justin Williams-OUT
Tim Urban-IN
Gone from the competition:
Paige DeChausse
Former "Barney" kid Erica Rhodes
Amanda & Bernadette DeSimone
Maddy Curtis-Wrong song choice
Casey James-played blues guitar; real singer/songwriter
Maddy Curtis-OUT
Casey James-IN
Didi Benami-sang Kara DioGuardi's "Terrified"; Simon liked it; played her guitar
Crystal Bowersox-sang Aretha Franklin's "Natural Woman"; played her guitar; likeable; could make top 12 even top 10
Didi Benami-IN
Crystal Bowersox-IN
After 2 days of competition in Hollywood, 96 contestants are left
Part 2
Day 3-Group Auditions
The tantrums, tears, nerves & fights. Some will be victorious and others will be crushed in defeat. The pressure is raised up a notch. Whose dream will still be alive and whose dream will be shattered?
Group Rehearsals-some groups are working hard and others are struggling
Very Cool Group Names:
The Dreamers
The Mighty Rangers
Neopolitan
Destiny's Wild
Phoenix
Big Mike-keeping in touch with his wife who is about to give birth
Vocal Coaches-Michael Orland and Debra Byrd work with the groups on their numbers and give some advice that could be helpful
After working and staying all up night, the groups are gearing up for the performances. They put in last minute rehearsals. Destiny's Wild got all the attention that angered Neopolitan.
Big Mike-was awaiting news of his wife's birth--Team Awesome waited with nervousness--Big Mike is a father for the first time--IT'S A GIRL!!!
Group Performances
Faith-Michelle, Charity,Ashley; performed Beyonce's "Invincible"; breezed through the performance; moving on the final round in Hollywood
Team Awesome-sang "Get Ready" by the Temptations
IN: Big Mike & Tim Urban
OUT: Michael Caruso & Seth
Neopolitan-Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance"
Liz, Thaddeus, Jessica & Kate--IN-Good Effort
Destiny's Wild-also sang Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance"
Todrick, Theri, Jareb, Siobhan--IN
Ellen commented on their outfits: something out of Cirque Du Soleil
The other groups also made it through to the final Hollywood round
Mighty Rangers
IN-Tori & Maddie
OUT-Mark, Kimberly & Danny
Phoenix-one group member quit unexpectedly
sang Kansas' "Wayward Son"
IN-Jeff Goldford & Jermaine Sellers
OUT-Moorea Masa & Ben H.
Also gone from the competition:
Leah Lorenti, Carmen Turner, Kimberly Carver, & Dave Pittman
Big Dreams-sang Gwen Stefani's "Sweet Escape"
The entire group including Matt Lawrence and Amanda Shectman were sent home based on their poor performance
Middle C
Janelle Wheeler, Jermaine Purifoy, & Casey James--IN
3 Men & A Baby
Andrew Garcia, Katie Stevens(My pick to win the competition this year!), J.B. Ahfua-IN
The Dreamers-had issues during rehearsal; their performance was disastrous
IN: Mary Powers, Hope Johnson & Alex Lambert
OUT: Margo May
After 3 days of competition in Hollywood--71 contestants will compete for a spot in the top 24
Next week, the top 24 will be revealed--Who will make it? Who will be devastated?
