The “Go’s” to Hollywood got going almost before judges Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler got to take a seat for the Season 11 “American Idol” premiere in sweltering Savannah, but yellow tickets and yells for joy appeared in multiples. Is the talent too young and too good to be true already?
David Leathers, Jr. set the thoroughfare of talent off with what Steven Tyler referred to as a “decent breakfast,” but the 17-year-old who looked all of 12 filled up the judges’ platters with plenty of perfect notes even with an obscure Century 21 song, but really won them with his tones seemingly in tribute to Michael Jackson when he did “Never Can Say Goodbye” by request.
Gabi Carrubba had the right notes, too, but the tap dancing cutie was savvy enough to know who has the deep pockets in the competition, racing to give producer, Nigel Lythgoe hugs before anything else, and then singing for all she was worth on “Sunday Morning” by Maroon 5. Jessica Whiteley certainly had a voice, it was just difficult to figure out the gender of it, as her wails were reminiscent of a male impersonator! After a few other rousing approvals, Sean Kraisman came on strong in his Ryan Seacrest persona, almost to the point of creepy, all through his profile, and then next to the man himself, doing an “announce off,” followed by a song. The voice was not passable, but he got more than an OK to keep doing Mr. Seacrest as long as he could!
Shannon McGrane had no trouble singing to yellow, even with her whole family standing beside her onstage, including her St. Louis baseball playing dad! She and her family won raves, and so did Amy Brumfield, who really lives in a tent, belying the dazzle of her audition. Joshua Chavis probably doesn’t live in a tent, but he looked like he did for his audition in flip-flops, complete with yells and crashes from backstage, making “flop” the operative word. Stephanie Renae showed her love for Carrie Underwood, and got love from the panel, and then came the return of Schyler Dixon from Season 10, doing her best to go so solo for this audition, until judges recognized her and requested brother Colton to come onstage, and again, even without trying, he stole her thunder, but the two got through.
Lauren Mink showed a Kentucky girl can survive with her “Country Strong,” and expect the special adult education teacher to get stronger in the weeks to come. Who says Rascal Flatts doesn’t fit with the Sahara? Mowena Kodgo was inspired by Scott McCreery to become Africa’s first country singer, and lyrics seem to be a stumper of a second language, but he vowed to be back! Ashlee Altise invented her own dance move, the “Joy Hop” along with her jiving version of the Beatles’ “Come Together” and her yeses came together from the judges. W.T. Thomson quit his job at the prison because it meant so much to take his chance with “Idol,” gambling on the future for his wife and baby on the way, and well, it worked, and two votes meant the world and his ticket to Hollywood. Erica Nowak brazenly announced that her goal was to become the next future ex-wife of Steven Tyler, never mind that new fiancée, Erin, hardly leaves his side. She got her hiney-hold, and even one from Randy, but she just couldn’t hold those notes! There has to be one every season, and Brittainy Kerr is this year’s beauty that the boys can never say “No” to, but no one knows how long she’ll last.
In perfect accompaniment to tradition, the closer of the night was a singular sensation, as Phil Phillips sang with enough passion to procure passage to Hollywood, but when he picked up the guitar and spun “Thriller” on acoustic as never before, everyone there knew the real contender had arrived.
Source:
“American Idol” broadcast, Jan. 18, 2012, FOX TV.